New Infiniti SUV

[Jesda]

The Infiniti web site mentions a new full-size SUV:http://www.infiniti.com/form/g....html

Anyone have full color photos of this thing? Will it be based on the new Nissan Titan?

Thanks,-J.

[Jesda]

Here's more info I found:http://www.imakenews.com/autos...5.cfm

[carlos_knology]

The August 2003 issue of Motor Trend has a spy photo as well. It's on page 28 but the vehicle is well camouflaged.

According to the magazine... (2005 Infiniti QX56) "Like the Titan truck and Pathfinder Armada SUV, it features a 300-plus horsepower, 375-plus ft. lb ft, 5.6-liter V-8. It'll be on sale early in 2004."

Carlos

[G8R45]

Does this mean we could be looking at a Q56 or M56 in the future?

[don85259]

I think the new Nissan pickup (Armada) is butt-ugly. It looks like something the Borg (from Star Trek - you know, "Resistance is futile" and all of that) would design and drive. I sincerely hope the Infiniti is better looking, but I have low hopes in this regard. After all, a turd covered with frosting is still a turd.



--don

[PtM03m45]

I tend to agree with Don. I didn't like the Nissan Armada either but, I hated the M 45 when i first saw it also...now I drive one and love it! The thing that gets me is I hate it when manufacturers take the same body style and just rebadge and regrill it and put another brand on it. (GM and trailblazer, envoy, ascender, and 10 other rebadges that I can't think of right now these losers do) I know in order to compete with a high brand rep it just can't look like a rebadged Armada, no matter what luxury they add to it. Like the Q is the Q, the M, the G (at least it's not the body panels of the Z) this is how you build a quality brand here in the US. Even if it's something Nissan badged from Japan who cares (aka Lexus), as long as it's not two of the same car here. Like Toyota and Lexus look like completely separate models..no Lexus resembles a Toyota! Same with Honda and Acura! If we are to have brand excellence on par with these others these vehicles can't LOOK like their lower cost cousins.

[maxnix]

Does this mean we could be looking at a Q56 or M56 in the future?

I think (at least I hope) the cast iron block precludes that, at least with this engine. It's tuned as a low rev stroker.

Now a new VH50DE with a 4" bore and a 3" stroke would be very interesting.

[PalmerWMD]

How about an M56 with a manual transmission?

Fred..:drooling

[Q45Viper]

I saw the Motor trend picture, this thing is HUGE! They called it QX56 I think. They also said it will have the largest grill ever put on an SUV and you could partly see the grill from the side and it did look big. There was a a 97-01 Q parked in front of this thing and it positively dwarfed it. Looked like a Navigator on steroids!

[SmithSR]

Yes, this is the grunt-motor. Made for the Titan/Armada/FX56. An expensive venture into a tweak/retune *could* give the Infiniti brand some more of that hot rod flavor, on an even bigger scale than now!!

The headlines would read:

"A luxury driver's car, with big torque to rival offerings from AMG Mercedes, and for a two-thirds the cost? Sign me up!"

[OLU40]

An Infiniti dealer in Charlotte/Matthews NC also confimed the full size SUV will be out possibly before the end of the year.

[greg_atlanta]

The dealer showrooms have to be remodeled because it won't fit through the doors!!

I'm sick and tired of soccer Moms and their monster truck home theaters. Why more?

[Jesda]

Infiniti recognizes that it needs to catch up on something essential: BLING BLING!

Image cars create brand image.

Otherwise it will be relegated to competing with hum-drum Acura.

-Jesda

[sijoko]

I don't think that the engine has a cast iron block.

It looks like a bored and stroked version of the Q45 engine. But which Q45? I am hoping that it is based on the VH45DE.

If not, at least maybe the crank can be stuffed into the VH series. Then you would have your Q55 or 56 or whatever.

That would put a smile on my face.

[maxnix]

Engine: 5.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8300+ horsepower and 375+ lb-ft torqueAluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshaft, molybdenum-coated pistons, 6-bolt main bearing caps, Super Silent single-stage timing chain. The 300 hp is achieved without the use of variable valve timing; Dominique says with VVT the engine can “easily make 30 or 40 hp more,” and also notes that a supercharger will fit neatly in the V-8’s 90-degree valley.

"Make no mistake," says Larry Dominique, Titan chief product specialist, "this engine is designed as a truck engine with a high, flat and long torque curve that full-size truck customers demand. Nissan will be best in class when it comes to horsepower and torque," according to Dominique.

Displacement: 339 cu in, 5552ccPower (mfr’s est): 300 bhp @ 5000 rpmTorque (mfr’s est)v 375 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

No continuously variable camshaft timing though. I think it is a stroker variation of the VK45DE since the peak rpms are in pushrod V8 territory. No specifications on bore centers, bore nor stroke available. Maybe Joe knows?

__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

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[Jeff Williams]

Isaw the same spy pic, in my new Car & Driver. It did dwarf the '99 Q45.

I thought the FX45 was butt-ugly, wehn I saw it in the magazine, but have started to like the look, on the car lot, then loved it, when it zipped past me on the interstate.

TV and magazines just don't give an accurate impression of cars. Some look great on paper, and scary in real life, while others do the opposite (Infiniti looks better in person, IMO).

I have not seen the Titan, but will hold my opinion, until I see one in person.

I am not much of an SUV fan, and I think my wife would kick my but, if I bought one, but trucks are another thing altogether...

[Aus94Q45]

That is a lot of torque! 375 @ 3000, good puller. As for the looks, cars that look over the top tend to move the ball forward. The M has grown on me, the G was an instant hit with its boy-racer looks, with both being differnt than other cars on the market. As I have noted (too many times now) the current Q -- other than the headlights -- is a bland and uneventful design. Perhaps this new truck will move the ball!

[sijoko]

How much similiarity is there between the VK engine and the VH? Can the crankshaft be swapped? If so, then there is hope for us.

[maxnix]

That is a lot of torque! 375 @ 3000, good puller.

Well not really, as it is only 67 ft. lb./ liter, well under the VH45DE 74 ft. lb./ liter. But it is at a lower rpm, necessary for stump pulling truck torque.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

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[90Q45blue]

Darn, does anyone have pictures? I really need to see this car.

Nick

[Jesda]

Spy shots:http://www.6mt.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1247

[PtM03m45]

Christ!!! It's the Armada for sure!The most distinctive part (the rear doors) have not been changed I'm sure of it. So we have another QX4/Pathfinder disaster. These types of business decisions will keep Infiniti from escalating <no pun intended> into a real brand powerhouse!Lame

[maxnix]

So we have another QX4/Pathfinder disaster. These types of business decisions will keep Infiniti from escalating <no pun intended> into a real brand powerhouse!Lame

Well, they may be late to the SUV party, but Lexus (and now Porsche) have been feeding at this trough for years. Might drive some sales to the FX series. Teh cost for this model is a small increment over the cost of the Titan development.

A richer Nissan (and Infiniti) means they won't be owned by Ford and we will still have parts and service, unlike the disappeared British marques. __________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

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[PtM03m45]

Yes very true!On the other hand I love the Volvo (SUV of the year and well deserved)Volvo came late the party and did their homework. But Infifniti copies a lower priced model ala chevy.I'm distraught. A big hulky FX type design would of been sweet!

Oh well. I hope Uncle Carlo had nothing to do with this.

[Jesda]

The rebadged SUV formula seems to work well on giant SUVs, but not on smaller ones.

Examples:Toyota Landcruiser=Lexus LX4xxChevy Suburban/GMC Yukon=Cadillac EscaladeFord Expedition=Lincoln Navigator

Big = Bold = "Bling Bling" = Gotta HaveThe QX4/Pathfinder made no bold statements.

I hope Infiniti pulls it off. I do like the front grille treatment.

-Jesda

[maxnix]

A big hulky FX type design would of been sweet!

To me, the FX is big and hulky.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

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