The good word at Infiniti? For now, only M
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The good word at Infiniti? For now, only M
August 31, 2009 –– A new M sedan will dominate the buzz at Infiniti for the next several months.
Beyond that, the brand's car plans have fallen victim to cost-cutting. A BMW 1-series competitor has been postponed. A new flagship sedan, essentially a spiritual successor to the big Q45, has been canceled. Infiniti is chopping r&d costs until the world economy rebounds.
So the biggest, newest car in Infiniti showrooms for the next several years will be the redesigned 2011 M.
Technology will continue to be a key theme. Consider Infiniti's blind-spot intervention system. The new M safety feature will detect a vehicle in a driver's blind spot during an attempted lane change and actively nudge the M back into the original lane to avoid an accident.
Powertrain plans remain in flux. A diesel engine had been under discussion for the United States. A 3.0-liter V-6 diesel will be offered in diesel-friendly Europe. But it is unclear whether U.S. dealers will get the engine, given questions about environmental regulations in California and the Northeast.
Here are highlights of Infiniti's 2010-12 vehicle plans.
Small car: Plans for a rear-drive, entry-level luxury car have been put on the back burner. The car was to have been Infiniti's response to the BMW 1 series and a car Lexus is preparing.
G37: With the introduction of the 2009 G37 hardtop convertible in June, the G series has three models.
Infiniti's highest-volume vehicle, the G37 sedan, receives a freshening for the 2010 model year that includes a new front grille, front fascia and headlights, along with 17-inch wheels and updated interior trim. Sales start in January.
Visual changes for the 2010 G37 coupe will be limited to new interior trim and colors and a new center console.
M35/M45: The M sedan is redesigned for the 2011 model year, adapting the curvaceous lines first seen on the Essence coupe concept. Sales begin in the second half of 2010. The rear-drive layout is retained, and all-wheel drive will be available with a 3.7-liter V-6 and a 5.6-liter V-8.
High-end technologies adapted to the Nissan Fuga, the brand's flagship in Japan, may be offered here. The Fuga is sold here as the M.
Infiniti plans to introduce a hybrid powertrain in 2012 or 2013, and it likely will be in the M. The M powertrain is expected to be based on the Essence concept. That vehicle boasts a hybrid system built around a 434-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 paired with a 157-hp electric motor.
Big sedan: Infiniti has shelved plans to develop a full-sized sedan for the 2012 model year. That car would have filled the hole left when Q45 sales ended in 2006.
EX35: No major changes are planned in the coming years for this crossover, redesigned for the 2009 model year.
FX37/FX50: A Bluetooth hands-free phone system for the crossover is standard for the 2010 model year.
QX56: A redesigned QX for the 2011 model year will be assembled in Japan. It is unclear whether the SUV will be smaller or retain the QX name.
Beyond that, the brand's car plans have fallen victim to cost-cutting. A BMW 1-series competitor has been postponed. A new flagship sedan, essentially a spiritual successor to the big Q45, has been canceled. Infiniti is chopping r&d costs until the world economy rebounds.
So the biggest, newest car in Infiniti showrooms for the next several years will be the redesigned 2011 M.
Technology will continue to be a key theme. Consider Infiniti's blind-spot intervention system. The new M safety feature will detect a vehicle in a driver's blind spot during an attempted lane change and actively nudge the M back into the original lane to avoid an accident.
Powertrain plans remain in flux. A diesel engine had been under discussion for the United States. A 3.0-liter V-6 diesel will be offered in diesel-friendly Europe. But it is unclear whether U.S. dealers will get the engine, given questions about environmental regulations in California and the Northeast.
Here are highlights of Infiniti's 2010-12 vehicle plans.
Small car: Plans for a rear-drive, entry-level luxury car have been put on the back burner. The car was to have been Infiniti's response to the BMW 1 series and a car Lexus is preparing.
G37: With the introduction of the 2009 G37 hardtop convertible in June, the G series has three models.
Infiniti's highest-volume vehicle, the G37 sedan, receives a freshening for the 2010 model year that includes a new front grille, front fascia and headlights, along with 17-inch wheels and updated interior trim. Sales start in January.
Visual changes for the 2010 G37 coupe will be limited to new interior trim and colors and a new center console.
M35/M45: The M sedan is redesigned for the 2011 model year, adapting the curvaceous lines first seen on the Essence coupe concept. Sales begin in the second half of 2010. The rear-drive layout is retained, and all-wheel drive will be available with a 3.7-liter V-6 and a 5.6-liter V-8.
High-end technologies adapted to the Nissan Fuga, the brand's flagship in Japan, may be offered here. The Fuga is sold here as the M.
Infiniti plans to introduce a hybrid powertrain in 2012 or 2013, and it likely will be in the M. The M powertrain is expected to be based on the Essence concept. That vehicle boasts a hybrid system built around a 434-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 paired with a 157-hp electric motor.
Big sedan: Infiniti has shelved plans to develop a full-sized sedan for the 2012 model year. That car would have filled the hole left when Q45 sales ended in 2006.
EX35: No major changes are planned in the coming years for this crossover, redesigned for the 2009 model year.
FX37/FX50: A Bluetooth hands-free phone system for the crossover is standard for the 2010 model year.
QX56: A redesigned QX for the 2011 model year will be assembled in Japan. It is unclear whether the SUV will be smaller or retain the QX name.
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I guess the 30% drop YTD in sales has really affected Infiniti. It is kind of sad to see. That said, I think in December we will see that Infiniti has put their heart an soul into this new M. I think it will be something special.
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I think Infiniti needs an entry level car that sells in the low 30's to increase their sales.
They should offer the G with the 2.5 liter VQ engine that's available in Japan.
It's kind of sad that a sport/luxury brand offers more SUVs(QX, EX, FX) than cars(G, M) and gets outsold by Acura and its ugly lineup.
They should offer the G with the 2.5 liter VQ engine that's available in Japan.
It's kind of sad that a sport/luxury brand offers more SUVs(QX, EX, FX) than cars(G, M) and gets outsold by Acura and its ugly lineup.
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They need a diesel option in the states, particularly for the Suvs.
Also, need to keep the G and M models at the top of their class. Hey, Acura is not exactly setting sells records either. And Lexus is plain boring...................
Also, need to keep the G and M models at the top of their class. Hey, Acura is not exactly setting sells records either. And Lexus is plain boring...................
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It is kind of perfect storm for Infiniti. While they are a great alternative to BMW, and in some ways superior I believe, they are just that, an alternative. Far too many people still don't know Infiniti is even a make, let alone a luxury make...a product of not being able to set up brand identity and loyality when they started in '89. Top that with Hyundai's sales beginning to take off due to the economy and Infiniti is getting squeezed into a "no-mans land". They can't compete with the big boys and the lack of disposable income sees many people buying less expensive brands.
It's a bit frustrating because looking at the GT-R, we know what Nissan can accomplish and they just haven't quite put it all together. I'm hoping that this new M is just that. Infiniti needs a home run like in 2002-2003 and I believe this new M could deliver. The problem is that the new 5-series is on the way along with several other refreshes/redesigns.
It's a bit frustrating because looking at the GT-R, we know what Nissan can accomplish and they just haven't quite put it all together. I'm hoping that this new M is just that. Infiniti needs a home run like in 2002-2003 and I believe this new M could deliver. The problem is that the new 5-series is on the way along with several other refreshes/redesigns.
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