Long Term Update 5: 2011 Infiniti QX56

MSRP: $58,700 - $61,800

MPG Range: 20 - 20 mpg

Body Style: SUV

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Long Term Update 3: 2011 Infiniti QX56

The 800-Pound Gorilla of the FleetFrom the August, 2011 issue of Motor Trend / Photography by Motor Trend StaffThere’s an 800-lb gorilla in our long-term garage and its name is QX56. Although most of us are getting used to the size of the hulking Infiniti, its sheer mass remains a little intimidating for some of our staffers. That said, most of us have a change of heart after climbing behind the wheel. For all its bulk and heft, the QX56 is remarkably easy to drive, maneuvering on congested Southern California roads and freeways with a lightness that is totally unexpected.

“Although I wouldn’t call the QX56 nimble, it continues to captivate me with the amount of grace it displays in tight quarters,” associate online editor Benson Kong noted after one of several recent drives. “I recently found myself in a parking structure that should really be restricted to small cars only. Thanks to the easy steering and considerable visibility, our long-termer was able to glide down several stories while dodging opposite traffic.” Still, there’s no getting around the heft of the QX. Couple its near-6000-lb curb weight and the aerodynamics of a school bus with a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V-8 engine, and it doesn’t take an EPA certification expert to see that fuel economy isn’t going to be a strong suit. And of course, this high-brow whale of an SUV only chugs the good stuff.

“With a 26-gallon fuel tank, which requires premium fuel, one can easily drive away from the pump having spent $100,” complained staff photographer Julia LaPalme. “On my drive back from San Diego, with the cruise set to 73 mph, the instant fuel economy readout on the QX56 indicated 17.1 mpg, which means more frequent expensive fuel stops. Keep that AmEx Black Card at the ready.”

Of course, given that our tester has a $72,000+ sticker price, one could argue that few qualified buyers will be sweating the fuel costs. Besides, our copy chief, Emiliana Sandoval, reckons one could almost live in the QX, should Judgement Day arrive.

“When the Big One hits L.A., this is the car I want to be in. With the seats folded down there’s room to comfortably sleep in the back of it and two DVD screens for entertainment, plus nine cupholders and four bottle holders,” Sandoval asserts. “You can even buy a special tent that attaches to the back for silver-spoon camping. The only thing it doesn’t have is a refrigerator.”

But what about the aesthetics? In the past, we’ve been quick to deride the QX as having, erm, questionable styling features what with its bulbous snout and tacked-on chrome fender vents that appear to be pulled off a street racer’s Civic. Well, we’re even starting to warm up to the Infiniti’s styling too.

“It has happened,” said senior editor Jonny Lieberman, ominously. “After looking at the new QX56 long enough, my eyes are telling my brain that she’s a good-looking beast. I can’t explain it, other than familiarity breeds… the opposite of contempt. Stockholm Syndrome – let’s go with that. Still not totally sold on the portholes, but man, I’m liking the big Infiniti’s looks more and more with each passing week.”

$445.96 (2-oil change, inspection, rotate tires, 1-replace cabin air filter)

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Long Term Update 2: 2011 Infiniti QX56

From the June, 2011 issue of Motor Trend / Photography by Michael Shaffer The full-size Infiniti may not be the prettiest vehicle in the fleet, but it has a lot to offer for its $72,000-plus price. Logs photographer Julia LaPalme, "Some friends of mine, upon seeing the QX, commented on how ridiculously huge and ugly it is. But the fantastic turning radius is such a pleasant surprise! "Passengers stay comfortable in luxurious reclining leather heated and cooled captain's chairs in the second row. I will admit, for hauling people and/or stuff, the QX56 does a great job. The third row folds flat for more cargo room in the back. Even the footwells of the second row have gobs of room for bags and such when you're not hauling passengers. And the power! I can really feel the V-8's 400 horses kick in when I put the pedal down."

$192.65 (1-oil change, inspection, rotate tires)

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Long Term Update 2: 2011 Infiniti QX56

From the June, 2011 issue of Motor Trend / Photography by Michael Shaffer The full-size Infiniti may not be the prettiest vehicle in the fleet, but it has a lot to offer for its $72,000-plus price. Logs photographer Julia LaPalme, "Some friends of mine, upon seeing the QX, commented on how ridiculously huge and ugly it is. But the fantastic turning radius is such a pleasant surprise! "Passengers stay comfortable in luxurious reclining leather heated and cooled captain's chairs in the second row. I will admit, for hauling people and/or stuff, the QX56 does a great job. The third row folds flat for more cargo room in the back. Even the footwells of the second row have gobs of room for bags and such when you're not hauling passengers. And the power! I can really feel the V-8's 400 horses kick in when I put the pedal down."

$192.65 (1-oil change, inspection, rotate tires)

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Nissan, Infiniti contemplating engine exportation from U.S. to Japan

Wednesday, Mar 23rd, 2011 @ 5:21 p.m.

Although Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn recently affirmed that the Japanese automaker has no intention to shift vehicle production out of Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami, the automaker may be looking to produce some aspects of its vehicles in outside markets instead.

It may seem at first glance to be a near technicality to suggest Nissan has no intention to shift vehicle production out of Japan, and then to immediately suggest that the automaker might shift engine production to the U.S., and then import said engines back to Japan – but there is a clear distinction between the two avenues.

In the age of a truly global economy, it is not uncommon at all for many parts used in production in one country to be sourced from another country entirely, but when it comes time for some consumers to pick a car, the only production location that seems to matter is the final assembly point for the vehicle itself. For Nissan, only one major plant is expected to remain offline for some time, with potential for long-term downtime given its reliance on a nuclear powerplant that is currently on the verge of meltdown.

“It will take some time at Iwaki to recover,” said Ghosn to Bloomberg.

Because of those circumstances, Nissan is said to be considering production of engines for some of its luxury Infiniti models, among other vehicles, at its engine plant located in Tennessee. Nissan would then export the engines from the U.S. to Japan, where the vehicles would then be assembled and eventually shipped off to their destination markets, including back to the U.S.

Although Nissan has not yet made a final decision on the matter, it would seem almost impossible not to move forward with the plan, especially if the situation regarding the nuclear powerplant does not improve, soon.

References
1.’Nissan chief Ghosn…’ view

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2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview: Infiniti Etherea Concept

Source: MotorAuthority.com

The autoshow season is fully upon us, as we transition from the Chicago show to Geneva next month and New York in April. Infiniti is gearing up to make the most of the Geneva Motor Show with a new compact concept performance car positioned below the G line, dubbed the Etherea.

The official images above hint at a likely relationship to corporate partner Renault small car lines with a touch of Essence Concept thrown in for good measure. If that's the case, it's not clear that it'll be destined for the U.S.; such a concept might be intended only to do battle with the smaller BMW and Mercedes vehicles on their home turf.

The company's senior vice president, Andy Palmer, called the car slated for Geneva a "study for a high-performance premium car below the current G series." Palmer also claims the car is "fundamentally different" from competing products--though how so, we're unsure.

The new compact Infiniti concept will make its official debut March 1, at 12:15 p.m. GMT.

For a comprehensive, speculative look at what form the car will take, including its drivetrain and performance targets, check out our previous coverage here.

[Infiniti]

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2011 Infiniti G37 Convertible

The 2011 Infiniti G37 Convertible manages to preserve—for the most part—the nicely balanced proportions of the Coupe while allowing space for the power folding hardtop in back, plus some cargo space.

The one issue—serious to some—with the G37 Convertible is that it's heavy—about 450 pounds heavier than the Coupe. And it's a weight difference that you really feel when you drive the Convertible hard. There's a fair amount of body flex in the G Convertible, but otherwise it's very well designed, with its top that can open or close in about 30 seconds.

If you don't plan track time, and won't fret that the G Convertible just isn't as perfectly balanced in hot laps, you'll find find it quite delightful in most other respects, with nice steering and an eager, strong powertrain with a 325-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 combined with either a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed automatic—with the automatic including steering-wheel paddle-shifters and satisfying throttle blips for seamless downshifts. You'll find the G37 accelerates nearly as quickly as the Coupe, with zero to 60 in about six seconds.

Inside, the Convertible presents with virtually the same interior as the G37 Coupe (and the sedan, for that matter). Snug sport seats provide decent side support (though they're a little narrow for some) in front, but especially in the drop-top the back seats are nearly useless with the top down and completely useless (for all but the smallest kids) with it up.

The Convertible's features and options closely parallel those offered in the Coupe. For more information, see our full review of the 2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe.

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2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe - Convertible

The 2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe and Convertible are super-stylish touring two-doors with responsive powertrains, along with top-notch steering and poise that's matched by only a few cars—like the BMW 3-Series Coupe and Convertible, one of its main rivals. And these model appeal to those who want the feel of a balanced sports car but also needs something that feels a little more mature...something that doesn't scream mid-life-crisis-mobile, perhaps. The Infiniti G37 Coupe and G37 Convertible wow with sexy exteriors and lavish interiors, along with excellent performance, but they don't always meet expectations for refinement.

Just like the G37 Sedan, the G37 Coupe has a sleek, neat, well-tailored look that straddles the line between overtly sporty and elegant. The G37 Convertible has thinner pillars and a little more oomph to its rear end (where the folding hardtop resides), which give it a voluptuousness. It's by far the best-looking folding-hardtop convertible you can buy, with none of the squatness that affects everything from the Volkswagen Eos to the Ferrari California. Inside, the styling keeps with the exterior—offering a serious, almost cockpit-like look, with a deep seating, a high center console, and large, hooded gauges; contrasted with lovely soft-touch materials and muted leather, which brush up against aluminum or wood trim and frame a clear.

The G37 Coupe and Convertible have some of the same underpinnings as the G Sedans—as well as the Nissan 370Z—only they're several inches shorter and that affects the way they ride and handle (in addition to space, of course). Overall it steers nicely—although, surprisingly, not quite with the excellent feedback of the G Sedan—and has a well-damped ride, even with the Sport package's 19-inch wheels. The heftier Convertible feels slightly less nimble and not as quick to accelerate. Both two-door G models get the same engine that powers the G37 Sedan, only here it makes 330 horsepower. It revs enthusiastically (and with a growl) up to 7,500 rpm and works well with either the precise six-speed manual gearbox or the seven-speed automatic, which includes magnesium paddle-shifters with the Sport package. The dash to 60 mph takes just 5.5 seconds in the Coupe, or about six seconds for the Convertible, because of the extra 450 pounds of folding hardtop it carries.

Inside these models, there's a lot to like. The base seats are fine, while the available sport seats have more adjustable supports and cosset a little more snugly. The seats in these models are mounted a little lower, which they need to be for the lower roofline, so it's all good, at least in the front seat. But while the G37's front seats are cozy, the rear seats are nearly useless. Both the G37 Convertible and Coupe have a back seat that's barely passable for kids; in the Convertible it might as well be called a 2+2 as there's scant headroom with the top up.

Just as in the G Sedans, those expecting a luxury coupe might be a little disappointed with the G37 Coupe's refinement. In addition to more road noise than typical for this class of vehicle, the G37 Coupe's engine can be coarse and noisy when revved, and ride quality can be choppy and nervous, especially with the available 19-inch wheels.

All coupes are built with automatic climate control, an intelligent key, and leather upholstery. Higher trim grades get upgraded audio; a dual-zone climate system; intelligent cruise control; adaptive front lighting; a hard-drive-based navigation system; and four-wheel active steering. All-wheel drive is an option. All Convertibles come with leather seating; the power hardtop; a door-mounted button to lower the roof before entering or after exiting; an MP3-capable sound system; a rearview camera; a navigation system with hard-drive music storage and XM Satellite Radio with real-time traffic data; and an iPod connection kit that's quick to index your favorite music.

Options include a multispeaker Bose audio system that tunes its output to the car's top-down status; a climate control system that does the same; and heated and cooled seats. Sport and Premium packages toss in 19-inch wheels, Bluetooth, radar-based cruise control, and adaptive headlights—and for 2011, the Sport package can be had in combination with all-wheel drive.

The 2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe has strong performance in every respect, and provides a level of driver involvement only rivaled by the BMW 3-Series; the Convertible feels a little portly, though. See details and best of the Web The 2011 Infiniti G37 provides reasonably good front-seat comfort, along with excellent cabin materials, but the harsh ride and noisy interior might disappoint those who want more of a luxury coupe. See details and best of the Web The 2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe and Convertible look like reasonably safe picks, even if they?re not top-rated in all respects. See details and best of the Web The 2011 G37 Coupe and Convertible stick with Infiniti?s formula of offering lots of convenience and luxury features, all standard, and plenty of tech and entertainment upgrades. See details and best of the Web The 2011 Infiniti G37 Coupe is about on par with most rivals in fuel-efficiency, though the extra weight in Convertible models brings mileage to a more eyebrow-raising level. See details and best of the Web Nicely tailored, inside and outStrong powertrainGreat handlingEasy-to-use navigation and audioUnusual AWD coupe combinationGet Dealer Price Quotes Automatic can shift abruptlyRoad noiseNervous ride

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2011 Infiniti G25 Sedan

Without popping the hood, you'd be hard-pressed to find the visual differences between the new Infiniti G25 Sedan and the existing G37 Sedan. They both sport the same design inside and out—including the clean, nicely tailored sheetmetal, cockpit-like interior, and snug sport seats. Except powering the G25 is a new 2.5-liter V-6.

While the new engine's 110-horsepower deficit might raise eyebrows at first, the 218-hp unit can move the G25 plenty fast—and it's smoother than the larger engine, according to initial drive reports. Unlike the G37, you can't get the G25 with a manual gearbox; it comes only with the seven-speed automatic, which we've noted is an excellent companion with the larger engine in enthusiastic driving but a little lumpy and indecisive around town.

Even feature-wise, it's much of the same for the G25, and that's mostly good with respect to features, too. Infiniti has dropped the Base G37 model, and the G25 now comes in Base and Journey trims, with the G37 offered in Journey and Sport models. Both the G25 and G37 can be had with all-wheel drive—and as such they're called the G25x and G37x.

Getting down to numbers, the G25 offers, with its lower output, a significantly more affordable base price as well as fuel economy of up to 20 mpg city, 29 highway—that's a mile or two per gallon better than the G37. For those who love the way the G37 looks and handles but don't need all the power, the G25 could be a very good deal.

For more information on the G25, see our full review of the Infiniti G Sedans.

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