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Infiniti QX56, Nissan Armada to Go Separate Ways

The QX56 is the last Infiniti to share its architecture with a Nissan, but that will change for the next generation.

ALISA PRIDDLE, November 2007

It’s time for a clean break. The next-generation Infiniti QX56 full-size SUV will be the final Infiniti to separate itself from platform sharing with its Nissan brethren.

The QX56, which debuted for 2004, is a mechanical brother to the Nissan Armada, both of which are built at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi, plant.But the next-generation QX56 is expected to move to the architecture used by the Patrol luxury SUV, which has attained semi–cult status in other parts of the world.

The four-wheel-drive Patrol has been made in Japan since 1950 and is sold in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America, South Africa, and the Middle East as a direct competitor to the Toyota Land Cruiser. This extreme off-roader is currently offered with a 4.8-liter gasoline engine or a 3.0-liter common-rail turbo-diesel.

The original QX56 did not meet expectations, admits Mark Igo, vice-president and general manager for Infiniti in North America, in an interview with Car and Driver at the L.A. auto show. But the vehicle was upgraded for 2008—made quieter, with improved materials and a better navigation system—and sales have increased 35 percent since June.

Now the automaker is discussing what the Infiniti SUV needs for the next generation, centering on the idea of splitting off from the platform it shares with the Armada.

“More elegance would be great,” Igo tells us. “The QX56 could migrate to [the Patrol architecture] if it could meet the size needed for the U.S. We couldn’t shrink the QX for the U.S. to use the Patrol.”

“We’re deciding on it now,” Igo says, adding that the 2008 refresh buys the QX56 a few more years in its current form.

The move likely means moving assembly of the future QX56 back to Japan. Nissan is also moving Quest minivan assembly back to Japan for the next generation.

The Armada, meanwhile, will continue to be based on the same platform as the Nissan Frontier and Titan pickups, Igo says, noting it all comes down to volume and cost in an attempt to create commonalities wherever possible. The pickups and the Armada already combine for economies of scale, making it financially feasible to splinter off the QX.

Nissan will keep the Armada as a body-on-frame truck, as opposed to joining the car-based crossover band wagon, says Tom Lane, corporate vice-president in charge of product planning and strategy for the parent company, Nissan Motor Corporation. Instead, the automaker will work to improve the SUV, particularly on extracting greater fuel economy from the powertrain.

Design on the new QX is expected to be derived from the Infiniti Kuraza Concept.

is that the future QX?? it looks way too small..

sijia10358 wrote:is that the future QX?? it looks way too small..

"...Igo tells us. “The QX56 could migrate to [the Patrol architecture] if it could meet the size needed for the U.S. We couldn’t shrink the QX for the U.S. to use the Patrol.”"

Yuck. Looks like it got hit with an Ugly Stick. Waaay too much Honda Element for my taste...

looks like more the next murano

Timmbo wrote:Design on the new QX is expected to be derived from the Infiniti Kuraza Concept.

Boy I hope it doesn't end up looking like that. I love the current QX56

Looks like a Mini Cooper made love to a Qx and made a freak child.

We're finally getting the Patrol?

I've seen on another board that the QX is supposed to be redone for '09. That does not make sense since they just did a MMC, but I would think that we may have a new QX for 2010.

Timmbo wrote:The QX56 is the last Infiniti to share its architecture with a Nissan

Well, unless you include the G and M.

KoukiS14 wrote:
Well, unless you include the G and M.

Indeed. ALL the Infiniti cars use the 350z's FM platform.

MinisterofDOOM wrote:
Indeed. ALL the Infiniti cars use the 350z's FM platform.

WERD and if not based directly on a Japanese Nissan model (as is the case with M and G), at least share that one bit there (FX is an example).

Oh, that's the worst looking thing I've ever seen. Definitely has the Cooper look with a splash of Scion thrown in as a joke? I would be embarrased to own an Infinity if those things start showing up on our shores. They better black out the windows intirely so at least people won't be able to see who the schmuck is driving it.

Good thing it is only a concept, right?

I actually really like the Kuraza.

Quite honestly there are a lot of the styling cues that I like about it, I would love to see a full size with dual exhaust integrated into the rear lower bumper.

Smaller might be better. I guess we can see if Toyoda has the market of selling oversized SUVs and Trucks. I have seen 5 Seqouias soo far since the relase.

Madahajimoto wrote:Smaller might be better. I guess we can see if Toyoda has the market of selling oversized SUVs and Trucks. I have seen 5 Seqouias soo far since the relase.

An odd comment, considering that Toyota is best-known for selling trucks that aren't big enough. It's only this latest round that the Sequoia and Tundra have made "full size." And The Tacoma is no larger than the Frontier or Colorado.

People buying full size don't want smaller, they want full size. It's taken Toyota a decade and a half to learn that.

Anyone who wants smaller can get a Pathfinder. It even has the same Armada V8. Of course, Infiniti doesn't sell a Pathy variant...

I'm sorry, if that concept car is put into production, I'm predicting a total flop. Looks like an oversized Mini-Cooper. I'm going out on a limb to say that this is not what the U.S. luxury SUV market wants.

I wish they still made an Infiniti off the Pathfinder platform. I'd be first in line to replace my QX4, which is the best vehicle I've ever owned! The FX just isn't what I want (not to mention the stale interior) and the QX is just too big for what I need.

Andrew

OK, I'm going out on a limb then too and tell you about the rental I drove this week. There were 4 of us, not huge guys but in the 200lb range. I wanted an SUV; we were going 400 miles round trip in one day and I didn't want to be packed in like sardines. Cost wasn't an issue, it was a company trip. All they had was 4WD Ford Escape. 4 cylinder. I have to tell you it wasn't a bad little ride. We all had enough room, it wasn't a Checkered cab mind you but we weren't squeezed in too bad. What I liked was the great mileage of course but, as several designs have gone to in the 4WD market, it is a FWD arrangement that kicks in the rear drive when needed instead of the conventional RWD that directs power to the front wheels in adverse conditions. I like the feel of the FWD in a smaller car like that and knowing I can engage the rears when needed is real cool. The Escape is cheap too. I think you can get one fairly well equipped for about $23k. You'll notice also, the Escape is 4WD not AWD. I'm no expert but to me AWD means it's not designed for off-roading where as 4WD is. OK, so there's my sales pitch for FORD!