As has already been posted, Infiniti has introduced the next-generation FX (2009 Infiniti FX50 & 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan: 2008 Geneva Auto Show (after the party)), of which there is now an FX50, which indicates a new larger 5.0-liter V8.
Now the first thing that came to my mind upon hearing this news is what other Nissans and Infinitis might also use this new engine. I can't help but think that engine is also destined to see action in their full-size trucks and SUVs. As it stands, Nissan and Infiniti only offer one engine choice, the 5.6-liter V8, in those vehicles...
As great an engine as it is, the competition offers more engine choices than Nissan; and that's always been a strike against the Titan and Armada, that being lack of engine choices. Adding this new 5.0L unit as an additional choice could help stem that criticism.
orangutan says:
09:34 AM, 03/ 5/08
They already had another V8 that would've made a fine addition to their SUV and truck line-up: the 4.5 from the last FX and M. But they didn't use it outside of Infiniti. I don't think this one will be used outside the brand either, partly because of cost. (This 5.0 also makes a lot more power than that 5.6.)
rsholland says:
09:38 AM, 03/ 5/08
I'm not so sure. They've got to find other applications for this engine beyond the FX to keep the cost down.
As to power, in Titan-tune it would put out less power, as that's a truck with different power requirements.
As to the current 4.5? I'm not sure that would be big enough (from a truck-tuned powerband standpoint) for the Titan, but the 5.0 could be.
orangutan says:
10:25 AM, 03/ 5/08
Why not? Ford uses a 4.6 V8, Dodge a 4.7, Toyota a 4.7, and Chevy/GM a 4.8 V8. Plus, Dodge uses a 3.7 V6, Toyota a 4.0 V6, and Chevy/GM a 4.3 V6. Granted, the V6 engines suck (except Toyota's), but they're there nonetheless. The small V8s work just fine, even if they're not as glorious as their larger counterparts.
As for other applications, the previous 4.5 was only put into the FX, M, and now-dead Q. I imagine this engine will find the same homes. I simply can't see it finding a home in the "plebeian" Nissan, though, especially in their body-on-frame vehicles.
There's no reason Nissan can't stuff their 4.0 V6 from the Xterra, Frontier, and Pathfinder into the Titan, either, especially if they made more configurations available. Would it be as fun as the 5.6? No, but lots of people do still buy trucks to accomplish truck jobs, not to drag them at stoplights or ferry around 2.5 kids in the suburbs.
sabastian says:
10:34 AM, 03/ 5/08
How about a G50?
drewsrx says:
12:27 PM, 03/ 5/08
This engine will not show up in Nissan trucks IMO. The VK45DE never did, and this engine is more expensive and more complicated. I don't think it is a smart idea anyway, as this engine will be high revving with more horsepower than torque. Which is not good for truck applications.
Although, economies of scale will be realized when this engine shows up in the next-gen M50, and possibly Q50. More interestingly though, if Infiniti wants to take on AMG, M, RS, and F then we will see a G50 or equivalent.
rsholland says:
12:46 PM, 03/ 5/08
I didn't say they couldn't use the 4.5 V8 or the 4.0 V6 in the Titan. I'm saying the 5.0 V8 would be better in such a heavy vehicle like the Titan than those smaller engines, and probably more economical too if tuned right, as it wouldn't have to work so hard.
roar02ram says:
02:20 PM, 03/ 5/08
My money's with drewsrx, particularly in light of the rumors of the Titan/QX56/Armada's imminent demise earlier this year.
rsholland says:
02:43 PM, 03/ 5/08
Despite what's been rumored and/or reported (and I did the posting!), I doubt very much if those vehicles are going away.
blackadder5639 says:
02:59 PM, 03/ 5/08
What is the power/torque rating of this new engine?
orangutan says:
03:33 PM, 03/ 5/08
390 horsepower and 369 foot-pounds of torque.
eriches says:
04:19 PM, 03/ 5/08
Carlos Ghosn said "over 590 Nm of torque" at the nighttime debut event, and that converts to 435 lb-ft. --Erin
orangutan says:
04:40 PM, 03/ 5/08
You might want to tell that to Anita then, Erin, because her story is where I got the 369 pound-feet of torque.
eriches says:
02:16 AM, 03/ 6/08
Hmm, I see what you mean, orangutan. Maybe I shouldn't have had that glass of wine. I'll do a little investigating.
eriches says:
02:43 AM, 03/ 6/08
Ah, it appears I did get overexcited -- 369 lb-ft, it is. My apologies. -ER
orangutan says:
08:33 AM, 03/ 6/08
No worries. ;)
ateixeira says:
08:53 AM, 03/ 6/08
The cutaway shows how complex that engine is. I bet it's expensive to build.
Surely they would simplify it for trucks, probably a lot.
rsholland says:
08:59 AM, 03/ 6/08
It's no more complex than other DOHC 4-value per cylinder V8s that other truck makers already use.
orangutan says:
11:24 AM, 03/ 6/08
And how many trucks use four-valve, DOHC engines? Ford? Nope, their 5.4 is a three-valve SOHC affair. Chevy/GMC? Pushrod. Dodge? Two-valve SOHC or two-valve pushrod (Hemi). Toyota? Ok, now we're into the DOHC, four-valve category. But, wait, where's the 5.0 from the IS-F? Shouldn't it be a good fit in the Tundra, if this Nissan 5.0 would be good for the Titan?
rsholland says:
12:19 PM, 03/ 6/08
Yeah, I agree the 5.0 Lexus engine is a better basis for a truck engine than the 4.7. Maybe it's coming?
Also, hardly anyone buys the 4.7 Tundra, so maybe a 5.0 would draw more customers.
Don't forget the current 5.6 Titan engine is also DOHC with 4-valves per cylinder.
hondacura4 says:
05:57 PM, 03/ 6/08
If Im not mistaken the 5.7 in the Tundra is from the same engine family as the current crop of Lexus 4.6/5.0 L V8's. The 5.0 as a midrange V8 would be a welcome replacement of the old 4.7.
The old 4.7 is based off the old Lexus V8 from the original Lexus LS400.