At this year's Geneva Motor Show, Infiniti will be showing off an all-new range-extended sports car concept they've now named EMERG-E.
The press release is thin with information saying only, "The INFINITI EMERG-E will be the first car from the brand to have not only a range-extender drivetrain offering vivid performance with zero emissions capability but also one mounted in a mid-ship package for optimal handling."
The market for a mid-engined range-extended Infiniti seems small to me. I could be wrong, but let's just go ahead and assume that the EMERG-E will not make it out of the concept stage. We'll bring you more next month from Geneva.
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Categories: Geneva Motor Show,Hybrids,Infiniti,Sports Cars
...not, as you'd likely think, the Porsche Panamera Hybrid, but rather the 2012 Infiniti M35h. At least, that's what the people at Infiniti, backed up by "AMCI Certified Testing" have to say. But we knew this. They teamed with CAR magazine back in September to get Guinness-certified numbers. Let's take a closer look anyway shall we?
The 2012 Porsche Panamera Hybrid has a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and a 75 amp, 288-volt NiMiH battery. The Porsche makes 380 horsepower @ 5500 rpm, 428 pound-feet of torque at only 1,000 rpm and has an 8-speed automatic transmission. To save weight and increase awesome, it is rear-wheel drive, the last time we tested one it weighed in at 4,492 pounds. Pricing starts at $95K.
In the other corner is the Infiniti M35h. It starts at $53,700, makes 360 horsepower thanks to a 3.5-liter V6 and a 346 volt lithium-ion battery and has a seven-speed automatic. Like the Porsche, it's rear-wheel drive. Last time we had it on the scales a 2012 M35h recorded a weight of 4,199 pounds.
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Categories: Hybrids,Infiniti,Porsche,Sedans
When you're driving through inches and inches of snow, assistance can be useful, and all-wheel drive provides exactly that. This system sends power to all four wheels, providing traction that can mean the difference between an uneventful ride home and getting stuck in the sludge.
All-wheel drive can be useful on clear pavement at well, as it can serve to improve traction in corners. If you're thinking sedans, you'll be happy to know that there are choices on the market that are both snow-friendly and a blast to drive.
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Categories: Audi,BMW,Infiniti,Mitsubishi,Porsche,Subaru
Wards auto has released its official list of the 10 Best Engines for 2012. A record seven feature direct injection and five engines feature turbo or supercharging. Wards made the decision after driving 36 different vehicles with 34 new or redesigned motors over 2 months. Scores are based on power, technology (think that slightly skews this towards DI/Turbo motors instead off something like, oh, the LS1?), observed fuel economy, noise, vibration and harshness. Vehicles must be priced below $55,000.
Full list after the jump. (Pretend you didn't see the spoiler photo above.)
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Categories: Audi,BMW,Buick,Car Tech,Chrysler,Ford,Hyundai,Infiniti,Jeep
With the Backup Collision Intervention system (BCI) on the new 2013 Infiniti JX crossover, the Japanese luxury automaker adds to its long list of active safety technologies -- and three-letter abbreviations for the same. The JX also has LDW (Lane Departure Warning), LDP (Lane Departure Prevention), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Distance Control Assist (DCA), Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) and an Around View Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD). Taken together, the nine technologies make up Infiniti's All-around Safety Shield, although the company skips abbreviating that one.
BCI goes beyond the typical cameras and sensors used in most automotive backup assist system. And it's also a step beyond technologies like Ford's Cross Traffic Alert system (CTA, of course) that warns drivers of another vehicle bearing down on them while blindly backing out of a parking spot.
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Categories: Car Tech,Infiniti
The base 2013 Infiniti JX FWD, which was unveiled at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, starts at $41,400, including a $950 shipping charge. Infiniti said the luxury crossover goes on sale in the spring.
Check out the video after the jump to view our other unusually tall presenter and the JX.
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Categories: Infiniti,LA Auto Show,Videos
Infiniti took the wraps off its all-new JX35 seven-passenger, three-row sport-ute about an hour ago at the L.A. auto show. And here you thought the days of large SUVs were behind us. According to Infiniti veep Andy Palmer, the luxury crossover segment is actually the fastest-growing one in the U.S.
Overheard on the show floor immediately following the press conference: "This is Infiniti's minivan."
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Categories: Infiniti,LA Auto Show
In a move that should surprise absolutely nobody, the Infiniti FX50 "concept" shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show will be built by Infiniti.
"Doing the FX Sebastian Vettel version for Frankfurt was fun, but it's also a kind of pilot. It's about our equivalent of (Mercedes-Benz) AMG or (BMW) M Cars. We wanted to test the organization and see if it could cope with this type of special version. Sebastian's FX demonstrates we are able to do low volume specials and the FX Sebastian Vettel version is one of the first that will go to market," said Infiniti Executive Vice President Andy Palmer.
The statement above also confirms that Sebastian Vettel will continue to develop cars for Infiniti. Hopefully the two-time Formula One champ will be allowed to pull a Senna and develop a real sports car for Infiniti instead of putting wheels and body kits on SUVs.
Categories: Infiniti,SUVs
Recording an average speed of 13.9031 seconds (across all runs, best run of 13.896 @ 103.5) the Infiniti M35h is officially, as per the Guinness World Records people, the fastest full hybrid car in the world.
The vehicle used was a standard production model and was run at the UK's Santa Pod Raceway on August 23, 2011. Infiniti is quick to point out that "the time puts it on par with performance heroes like the 1982 Lamborghini Countach1 and within a few tenths of some Porsches, Ferraris and Aston Martins." Right. Apt comparison.
You'll notice that this time is slower than we managed when we tested one back in March and ran a 13.5 @ 102.9. Guess we should have the guys from Guinness out to the track more often.
The UK's CAR magazine was behind the effort and used their new long term M35h for the test. Watch their video after the jump.
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Categories: Hybrids,Infiniti
We already reported on the Sebastian Vettel-badged Infiniti FX50. First we reported on it here. Then we reported on it here. Well, now we have video of the high-performance crossover. Video from the 2011 Frankurt Auto Show. Video that includes a pretty girl.
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Categories: Crossovers,Frankfurt Auto Show,Infiniti,Luxury Cars,SUVs
Manufacturers are all racing to offer the latest and greatest tech amenities, but tech features aren't the only ones that can make a car feel special. Good old-fashioned comfort and convenience features can bring just as much, if not more, light and life to a dreary commute.
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Categories: Audi,BMW,Dodge,Ford,Infiniti,Nissan
"The first-ever Vettel-badged road car, the FX Sebastian Vettel version is the lightest, fastest and momst aerodynamic FX yet, reflecting the World Champion's desire for a 300km/h Crossover that he can drive on his home country's derestricted Autobahn."
....Is this what rich 24-year-olds are into these days? 186 mph crossovers? I mean, sure, if you're in the market for a crossover, the FX50s is already a pretty sweet compromise, but does it need aero, engine, suspension and body changes just to be able to run on the Autobahn?
The answer here is probably yes. We just wished he'd focused first on a proper diff and the same enhancement to the M56. Next time, then; This is, after all, "The first-ever Vettel-badged road car."
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Categories: Crossovers,Frankfurt Auto Show,Infiniti,Tuners and Modifications
"Sebastian Vettel to Unveil his Perfect Infiniti" reads the title of the press release. And then there's a picture of an FX on big wheels with a body kit, rear wing and some LEDs. Expect to see carbon fiber trim on the dash, paddle shifters and maybe the pedals, too.
In case you were wondering, yes, Sebastian Vettel is 24.
We'll get to see the real thing in Frankfurt in just a few weeks.
Categories: Geneva Motor Show,Infiniti,SUVs
When Infiniti announced a partnership with Red Bull Racing's F1 team at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, we all knew it was a matter of "when" not "if" Sebastian Vettel would get his Senna on and have a hand in developing a road car.
At least we hoped that's what he'd do. He still may help Infiniti develop a car, the partnership is still very young, but that's not what we have here and not what we'll see at the Frankfurt Auto Show.
What we will see, at least based on flashes of it from this video, is a special edition FX with new interior-- hint: carbon fiber trim-- a special F1-inspired steering wheel, and likely more power. The special package could then be spread across the IPL line.
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Categories: Infiniti,Motorsports,SUVs
Well, after months of teasing, this is finally it, the Infiniti JX Concept Crossover.
Can we just go ahead, put one of these in every third driveway in my neighborhood and move along?
No details were released except that the Infiniti JX will have -- and hold onto your hats -- a V6 engine and a CVT transmission. So let's just go ahead and assume we'll see the 2013 JX35 with a little more power than a Nissan Maxima (290).
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Categories: Crossovers,Infiniti
Hooray! The final teaser for the Infiniti JX concept has been released on Facebook.
...now what am I supposed to do with my Thursday mornings?
They're showing the vehicle in full at Pebble this weekend, so we should have more, not-in-studio, photos soon.
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Categories: Infiniti
Well, here's the nose of the Infiniti JX crossover from the other side. Remember, the driver side front was the first teaser image. Good to see they've kept it symmetrical.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, Noah Russell won the trip to Monterey and the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Categories: Crossovers,Infiniti
When SUVs first lumbered onto the scene, their increased utility relative to cars came at a cost: handling that was a far cry from engaging, and often downright cumbersome. Of course, these days we have crossovers, which offer all the utility of their truck-based ancestors with fewer handling compromises.
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Categories: Audi,BMW,Infiniti,Porsche
By now, you know the deal on the Infiniti JX: Facebook. Pebble Beach. Two more teasers left. Here's the fourth. And the third and the second and the first.
So...does it look any better from the back?
Categories: Crossovers,Infiniti
Well, it looks like the bulbous, mouth-breathing Atomic Catfish design of the 2009-era Infiniti FX is gone, replaced by a grille inspired by the 2011 QX56.
And it's a HUGE improvement.
Pictured above is the Limited Edition FX35 (available in AWD only with a 3.5-liter V6 and a 7-Speed automatic) in its Iridium Blue paint, 21-inch graphite wheels and with dark-tinted headlights. The Limited Edition also gets nav, Infiniti Around View Monitor. The color looks sweet here, but if you want to see it in your driveway, be prepared to shell out $52,445.
Other models in the range increase in price slightly (about 2 percent) with the base, rear-drive FX35 starting at $44,345 and the FX35 AWD ringing up $45,795. The big-dog 390-horse 5.0-liter FX50 now starts at $60,245.
The 2012 Infiniti FX goes on sale in October.
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Categories: Crossovers,Infiniti
