Infiniti to Build Front-Drive Compact on Mercedes A-Class Platform

With the debut of the Etherea concept, Infiniti signaled that it’s developing a new compact hatchback to compete with models like the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series. What the company didn’t say then—but has subsequently told us—is that the car will borrow its underpinnings from the Mercedes-Benz parts bin. Nissan/Renault and Daimler recently announced a technology partnership, and one of the big components is the front-wheel-drive platform developed for Benz’s A- and B-class family.

We’re assured, though, that the Infiniti hatch will use its own version of the platform. Infiniti’s compact will have an atypical design for a five-door hatchback, with less of a two-box shape like the Audi A3's. It’s possible this could mean we’ll be seeing a small, low crossover from Infiniti, but it seems even more likely it’ll be a regular car with a fastback profile.

Basic powertrains will be gasoline and, for Europe, diesel, but we suspect that either a hybrid or fully electric version will be offered, as well.

The real head-scratcher here is why Nissan and Renault—which have more than 30 years of experience building front-wheel-drive platforms—would turn to Mercedes-Benz, a company with a core competency in building bigger, expensive, rear-wheel-drive luxury vehicles. We put this question directly to Nissan’s Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, who explained thusly:

“There are very few mass brands that make that walk into luxury. And there’s a reason for that, which is embedded somewhere within the way the products are executed and in the engineering. A luxury brand will need much better torsional rigidity, much better NVH than you would put into a mass brand.

If you have a product that handles like an A-class or a B-class, with that level of NVH, with that level of torsional rigidity, but you can do it at a cost which is closer to where a mass brand would be, then you’re in a very good place from a competitive point of view. And that’s where we’re trying to be.”

The Infiniti model, which will likely not be called the Etherea when it hits production, will definitely be coming to the U.S. market. Until it arrives, read our first drive of the show car here.

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2013 Infiniti JX35 Revealed in Production Trim, Will Start at $41,400

Do not adjust your eyeballs. You have already seen this vehicle. Infiniti unveiled a JX concept in Pebble Beach in August, and as we wrote then, this L.A. production version is pretty much the same—right down to the color. Infiniti has now, however, confirmed a few of our hunches and added a heaping helping of additional details, including pricing.

The sole model, the JX35, is powered by Nissan’s ubiquitous VQ35DE V-6, here making 265 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque and mated to a CVT. The unibody underpinnings are derived from the same D platform used for the Nissan Murano, and front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive is optional. (More derivatives may be on the way; Infiniti has trademarked other alphanumerics for the crossover, including JX25h.) Fuel economy is estimated to be 17 mpg city and 23 highway with either driveline.

A knob on the center console offers the driver a choice of Sport, Standard, Eco, and Snow modes, which variously adjust throttle sensitivity and transmission behavior. The CVT will mimic a traditional automatic when in Sport mode—CVT Sport mode: a contradiction if ever there was one—although no details were given on how many “ratios” it will step through.

Inside and Out

We discussed the styling in our previous story, but here’s the takeaway: It’s handsome, if somewhat derivative. There is little innovating left to do in the two-box, three-row arena. The wrapper, however, hides an attractive and well-thought-out interior. The second row of seats has 5.5 inches of fore and aft travel, offers a 60/40-split, and reclines. If you have a kiddie seat attached to the 40-percent side, the seat will still sidle out of the way to offer ample access to the third row without removing the child seat. The way back is split 50/50 and reclines, too. There are enough cup holders for Mom and Dad’s six pack of Chardonnay and two sparkling Welch’s for the kids, plus six bottle holders.

The JX offers more shoulder room in all three rows than the Lincoln MKT or the Audi Q7, and also beats both in front head- and legroom. The JX has them both beat in total interior volume, too, despite being some 11 inches shorter overall than the MKT and having a wheelbase four inches less than the Q7’s. The second row is only slightly below the roomy MKT’s in terms of leg and noggin space, while the third row looks to be as tight as most, even if it has more headroom than those of the Lincoln or Audi. Cargo space behind the third row is 15.8 cubic feet; Infiniti didn’t release capacity numbers with any seats folded.

Leather upholstery is standard, as are heated power front seats, keyless entry and start, three-zone automatic climate control, XM radio, a USB input, a rearview camera, and a power rear hatch. Exterior kit includes 18-inch wheels as standard and two 20-inch designs as options, plus bi-xenon headlamps and LED taillamps. Infiniti’s personal concierge service is included, too. There is, of course, an extensive list of available features, which you’ll read about in just a second.

Let’s Talk Money

The base front-drive JX will start at $41,400; it costs $1100 more to get a rear driveshaft. There are two standalone options—$1600 forged 20-inch wheels and $370 roof rails—and five available packages. The $4950 Premium package adds nav, the trick 360-degree Around View camera setup, a 13-speaker Bose stereo with subwoofer and Bluetooth audio streaming, dual front-seat memory, power-adjustable lumbar support for the driver, maple interior trim, a HomeLink-equipped auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a one-year subscription to Infiniti’s version of OnStar, called Infiniti Connection.

Once you’ve dropped that five grand, you unlock the right to purchase the $1700 Theater package and the $2200 Driver Assistance package. The former adds two seven-inch monitors, two sets of wireless headphones, a remote control, additional A/V jacks, and a 120-volt power outlet. The latter brings a bunch of nanny tech you don’t want and we won’t mention—except maybe blind-spot monitoring—plus a heated steering wheel and remote start. So if you have poor hand circulation or you simply like getting in a toasty car on winter mornings, you’re in for a whole hell of a lot of irritating beeps. The $3100 Tech package includes the Driver Assistance stuff and adds three more electronic nets. So you don’t want this bundle either. (In the interest of thoroughness, here’s the one piece of technology debuting on the JX: Backup Collision Intervention. It detects vehicles that might cross your path while you reverse, which isn’t new, but adds the ability to automatically apply the brakes and stop your vehicle if you haven’t taken appropriate action.)

If you’re smart and avoid the annoying technology, you can order the Deluxe Touring package. (But only if you first order the Theater pack, Mr. Moneybags.) It runs $2550 and includes a 15-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with subwoofer, unique 20-inch wheels, a glass roof over the second and third rows, an upgraded HVAC system with air filtration, heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, and rain-sensing wipers. Fully loaded, the JX will command just a hair shy of $59K.

The JX occupies a family friendly slot in Infiniti’s lineup left unfilled by the rest of the company’s SUVs and crossovers, which are too small, too sporty, or too thirsty for most buyers in the segment. The Tennessee-built JX arrives in dealers in the spring, at which point we presume it will be available in colors other than mossy green.

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2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible Shown in Production Trim at L.A. Show

The Infiniti Performance Line was launched late last year with but a single model, a sharpened and slightly more powerful version of the G37 coupe called the IPL G coupe. In August, Infiniti showed us what an IPL G convertible would look like and announced—to no one’s surprise—that the convertible also would make it to dealers. Now Infiniti has debuted the production IPL G for extroverts at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show.

Subtle Refinements, Inside and Out

Like the IPL G coupe, the 2013 IPL G convertible adds a pinch of this and a dash of that to deliver what Infiniti calls “total vehicle performance” when compared with the standard G37 convertible. (This implies, of course, that the regular G models deliver incomplete vehicle performance.) As with its fixed-roof counterpart, the IPL G convertible gets a new nose, rocker-panel extensions, obscenely fat exhaust tips, and gorgeous, lacy 19-inch wheels. It is available in only two hues: Malbec Black (a deep wine color) and Moonlight White.

The interior is likewise limited to two colors—Stone and Monaco Red—and features red-stitched leather upholstery, “Silk Obi” aluminum trim, aluminum-capped pedals, and IPL-embroidered seatbacks and front floor mats.

Mechanical Enhancements Shared with the IPL G Coupe

IPL’s efforts to recalibrate the G’s VQ-series 3.7-liter V-6 and fitment of a true dual exhaust system yield the same boost in output as found with the IPL G coupe, adding 18 hp and 6 lb-ft of torque. In the convertible, this brings total output to 343 hp (at a lofty 7400 rpm) and 273 lb-ft of torque. Sadly, the coupe’s six-speed manual and its short-throw shifter are not available in the convertible; the only transmission offered is Infiniti’s seven-speed automatic, which comes with magnesium shift paddles affixed to the steering column.

The IPL G convertible rides on a retuned suspension featuring unique shocks and front and rear springs that are stiffer by 14 and 4 percent, respectively. Spring rates increase by 6 percent in front and a considerable 125 percent in back. The brakes aren’t particularly dainty: 14-inch front rotors are clamped by four-piston calipers, while the rear rotors measure 13.8 inches and are grabbed by two-piston calipers. Infiniti also claims to have sportified the steering as well.

To what extent the sum of the IPL’s enhancements will serve to sharpen the heavy hardtop convertible’s overall performance remains to be seen. (The standard G37 convertible is more than 450 pounds heavier than the G37 coupe, and the G37 droptop placed third out of four in a 2010 comparo.) However, based on what we have experienced with the IPL coupe—which is no M3-killer but satisfies nonetheless—we expect the changes to help considerably. As for future IPL offerings? Infiniti has intimated that that IPL M and IPL FX models eventually will be added, but a timetable has not been provided.

If the IPL G coupe’s pricing strategy is anything to go by, expect the IPL treatment to add about $500 to the sticker of the current G37S convertible. That would put it around $57K, give or take a few Franklins. That’s a lot of coin for a G-based car, but at least everything comes standard, which means that, other than interior and exterior color choices, the only decision the IPL G convertible customer has to make is when to put the top down.

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Infiniti to Show Mid-Engine, Rear-Wheel-Drive Sports Car Concept at Geneva Auto Show [UPDATE: PHOTOS]

November 17, 2011 at 8:31am by Justin Berkowitz

Infiniti will show a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive concept sports car at the 2012 Geneva auto show next March, we have learned. The company likely will release more information in the coming weeks—based on Infiniti’s affinity for teaser shots in its introduction of the JX crossover, we may be in for a long slog—but in the meantime we’re left without further confirmed details.

The layout means it won’t simply be a reworked Infiniti version of the Nissan GT-R or any other vehicle in the lineup—unless the engineers decided to do something, er, interesting like turn a front-engine, front-wheel-drive platform backwards. We don’t know what kind of powertrain the mid-engine sports car will have: Anything from Infiniti’s vigorous 5.6-liter V-8 to the twin-turbo six from the GT-R to an electrified powertrain (à la BMW i8) seems possible. We’ll bring you more information as soon as it emerges.

UPDATE 11/17, 8:00 a.m.:

Infiniti has revealed the car will feature a range-extended electric powertrain, and also released two teaser images of the concept. The automaker did not provide any details on the powertrain.

As for the images Infiniti provided, one shows the rear-left quarter of the sports car, and the second gives a look at the passenger-side front fender. Even though the views are limited, the concept is identifiable as an Infiniti. It features the same flowing surfaces and lines as several recent show cars from the Japanese luxury brand, including the Etherea and Essence. One element we like in particular is the sharp crease that appears to run from the hood down into the body side. We also dig the concave shape in the C-pillar area; it also appears there may be an intake there for cooling the range-extending powertrain. We expect more teaser photos as we approach the concept’s Geneva debut.

This story was initially published on 11/16 at 9:31 p.m.

Tags: 2012 Geneva auto show, Infiniti |

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