The Sebastian Vettel Edition Infiniti FX50 became official back in September last year, featuring a 414-hp V8 powerplant, improved aerodynamics, 21-inch wheels, and carbon fiber components.
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Last month, we got word that Sebastian Vettel was working on filming a film titled Kung Fu Vettel: Drive of the Dragon. Now Infiniti has launched the official film starring its Formula One champion and Hollywood actress, Celina Jade.
The Infiniti Emerg-E was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show as Infiniti’s first mid-engine sports car, but not previously disclosed was that the base of concept was actually the Lotus Evora 414E Concept.
Infiniti made its debut in the Chinese market with its new M Long Wheelbase model which will be sold in hybrid and naturally aspirated models.
Long wheel base models are extremely popular in China, where a large percentage of vehicle owners prefer to be chauffeured than driving themselves. The global debut of the Infiniti M Long Wheelbase was at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, where the luxury Japanese automaker announced that it’ll come in M35hL hybrid and M25L models.
10. 2012 Mazda CX-5
Ward’s Auto has released its top 10 picks for best interior in 2012 today, though in no particular order. Here they are with brief notes on each car’s engine specs and starting price.
The 2012 Mazda CX-5 crossover is powered by 2.0-liter Skyactiv inline four cylinder that makes 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque with a starting MSRP of $20,695 with front-wheel drive.
Infiniti appears to have some impressive products in its pipeline, including a next-generation G powered by a twin-turbo V6 with 530 hp.
The relationship between the Japanese automaker and Mercedes-Benz is picking up full steam and will go beyond the upcoming Benz-based compact. For 2014, Infiniti will be producing next-generation four-cylinder engines for both Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti models at its Nissan Tennessee plant. And as we reported before, the first C-segment hatchback will be produced by Magna Steyr in Austria.
Formula 1 two-time world champion Sebastian Vettel isn’t having his best year. He hasn’t been able to put the car on pole in qualifying nor has he won any races, but changing to an acting career? That seems drastic.
OK, so the Redbull Infiniti F1 star isn’t actually pondering a career change, but he did recently appear in a martial arts film with the actress Celina Jade.
“Kung Fu Vettel: Drive of the Dragon” is the first of many films Infiniti is planning to launch this year as part of their “Inspired Performers” series.
10. 2013 Lexus ES
Over the past few years Lexus has been referred to as a Japanese Buick, with the number one reason being the ES front-drive luxury sedan – a car that drew direct comparisons with the not-quite-Cadillac GM premium brand. To erase those comparos the new 2013 ES gets a more stylish exterior with a GS-themed front nose and a profile more like the flagship LS.
Swapping its Camry underpinnings for an Avalon platform it has, however, grown even more in size – a notable Buick trait. Plus, to challenge the eAssist mild-hybrid LaCrosse, there’s finally now an ES300h hybrid system getting 39 mpg average.
Watch out Tesla. Step aside Fisker. With the reveal of the LE Concept at the NY Auto Show this week Infiniti has confirmed it is preparing to enter the luxury electric car segment.
Those new automakers may already have vehicles on the market, but considering the success parent company Nissan has had with the Leaf as the world’s first mainstream electric car, Infiniti is poised for success. Find out more about the car’s impressive design, premium interior and innovations that include wireless charging in AutoGuide’s first look video below.
GALLERY: Infiniti LE Concept
The powerful Japanese Yen is pushing Nissan to make some tough decisions, and Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that Infiniti production will be moving out of Japan.
Infiniti currently exports all but one model from its Japanese production line, but it just doesn’t make sense for the company to keep this setup going. “You won’t have to wait a long time before we make a decision about the new base for sourcing of Infiniti,” said Ghosn. “If you follow our logic, we should make the cars where we sell them.”
Infiniti has already started the move, with the JX35 being built in Tennessee and plans to build a new $2 billion assembly plant in Mexico.
The decisions being made by the Japanese luxury brand are directly influence by German luxury companies, and their move to become truly global companies. ”We’re seeing what the Germans are doing,” said Carlos Ghosn, “the Germans are diversifying their base and they are producing practically everywhere.”
The other big reason for the move is the strong Japanese currency, which Ghosn claims held Infiniti back from its 2011 goal of claiming 10 percent of the worldwide luxury car market.
[Source: Automotive News]
It may have been rumored as a rebadged Nissan Leaf, but Infiniti’s new electric car concept is unique, luxurious and innovative.
Unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show the Infiniti LE Concept is referred to as a “production intent” vehicle says Infiniti of the Americas Vice President Ben Poore, with plans to have a model in dealerships in two years.
Infiniti doesn’t say exactly what LE stands for, and while “Luxury Electric” comes to mind, so does the brand’s ownership by French automaker Renault.
“Infiniti believes the future of luxury is sustainable luxury and we intend to continue taking a leadership role, building on the foundation set by our advanced Infiniti M Hybrid and high-mpg Infiniti JX luxury crossover,” says Poore. As a result, the Le Concept offers a premium interior, stylish exterior, a powerful motor and some impressive new technology.
Spring is in the air, but in Northern Sweden, where these latest spy photos come from, winter testing is ongoing. Shown here are test mules for the next generation Infiniti G sedan and this rare glimpse of a Japanese car where the German automakers normally do their testing is no coincidence.
Spotted leaving a Mercedes-Benz test facility the cars also sounded distinctly like diesels. Infiniti and Mercedes have previously announced they will share engine technology and that Infiniti will get Mercedes diesel engines. More recently Infiniti filed for a trademark on the G22d name – in addition to the G35h and G30t signifying the model line will add both a hybrid and a turbocharged 3.0-liter.
The test mules seen here, while closely resembling the current G models, do feature a slightly wider track, as well as added air intakes on the front bumper – to help feed air to the intercoolers for both the diesel and turbo gasoline engines.
GALLERY: 2014 Infiniti G Test Mule
Infiniti is looking to broaden its model range in order to penetrate new vehicle segments. At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the Emerg-E debuted and now the Japanese luxury automaker is considering bringing it to production.
More importantly though, Infiniti is looking to build up its Infiniti Performance Line that made all but a slight whimper instead of a roar, in its debut last year on the G coupe and convertible models. Infiniti Americas Vice President, Ben Poore recently said, “IPL is to us a steppingstone. It’s not an AMG, and it wasn’t intended to be. It’s a place where we’re going to start a subbrand.”
So it appears that Infiniti will be leaning towards a BMW M approach with its IPL subbrand. We’re excited to see where IPL can go, as Infiniti has a great platform of sports cars thanks to its Nissan heritage.
Infiniti will also be debuting an all-electric, luxury sedan at the upcoming New York Auto Show.
[Source: Automotive News]
Bringing together modern social media marketing and classic high-profile presentation, Infiniti and Cirque du Soleil collaborated in an one-of-a-kind, 11-minute live-streaming performance featuring incredible acrobatics and innovative engineering.
Now available on YouTube and Facebook, the performance, choreographed by Cirque du Soleil’s Special Events team, featured an Infiniti JX crossover suspended in the air with with nine acrobats.
“I am very proud that we were able to work so closely with Cirque du Soleil to create a truly inspired performance for our thousands of social media fans around the globe. There has already been an overwhelmingly positive response to the all-new Infiniti JX, and I am very honored to have been able to leverage our unique partnership with Cirque du Soleil to create, for our enthusiasts, something that, before today, seemed only imaginary,” Infiniti Canada director Wendy Durward said.
On sale this month, Infiniti’s full-size, seven-seat premium crossover aims to become the Japanese premium brand’s second best-seller, right behind the G sports sedan line-up. Competing against industry heavyweights like the Acura MDX and Lexus RX, the JX starts at $40,450 for the front-wheel drive model and $41,550 for the all-wheel drive. Packed with Infiniti’s latest tech features, the JX is available with the world’s first Backup Collision Intervention technology, an eight-inch touchscreen display with XM Nav Traffic, a 15-speaker Bose Cabin Surround sound system, and Infiniti Voice Recognition and Streaming Audio via Bluetooth. Learn more about the Infiniti JX from our car review here.
Check out the Cirque du Soleil/Infiniti JX collaborative performance after the break: Continue Reading…
Infiniti focused on improving the M35h’s fuel economy and CO2 emissions for its 2012 model year, considering the performance aspect of the M35h are fine.
Tweaks were made to the electric motor accuracy and battery charging by the Japanese automaker, allowing the M35h to rely more heavily on electric power during a cold start. CO2 emissions drop, which also has other benefits to owners in European countries. In the United Kingdom for example, the decrease allows the M35h to qualify for a higher rate of Write Down Allowance (WDA) which allows companies to claim 20 percent of the car’s cost as capital expenditure per year, as opposed to the previous 10 percent.
Fuel consumption was also lowered, though U.S. figures weren’t available. Combined figure is up 0.5-mpg to 40.9-mpg U.K., highway is now 50.5-mpg U.K. and city is now 31.4-mpg U.K. It’s important to note, though, that those figures are based on a totally different set of standards and likely won’t reflect EPA numbers at all.
We’re guessing the improvements will be minor but are welcoming them, especially if performance of the M35h stays the same.
Last year, we reported that the Infiniti G37 art car inspired by Cirque du Soleil sold for $55,000 and that the proceeds would go towards initiatives in developing countries.
Now, ONE DROP’s project will benefit one of the poorest regions in El Salvador aiming to ensure fresh water and sanitation are available in Morazán. That area is also one of the driest regions in El Salvador meaning the ONE DROP project will be able to help 1,800 families and indirectly benefit 22,000 people.
The project plans to provide access to water for households in addition to creating an irrigation system to ensure the area can grow two or three crops per year, rather than one. It will also provide micro-financing to farmers and small businesses so they can expand their operations.
Finally, in a Cirque du Soleil touch, the ONE DROP project will also assist local theaters to create incentive shows and entertainment to educate better water management.
“The intent is to be very entertaining, and the idea is that people will retain important information about water management, pollution, and health,” said Lili-Anna Peresa, executive director of ONE DROP.
Using one of its signature brush-stroke teasers, Infiniti has provided a glimpse of what its upcoming Nissan Leaf-based electric car will look like.
Set to debut at the New York Auto Show next week, the unnamed car is referred to simply as the “Infiniti Zero Emission Luxury Concept”. A part of a larger presentation given to journalists during the launch of the new JX model last week in Charleston, SC, Infinit has never confirmed that the model is Leaf-based, but has said it will seat five.
Infiniti marketing boss Keith St. Clair even attempted to lay rest to doubters commenting that the car will be “100 percent electric, 100 percent luxury, 100 percent performance.”
In related news, St. Clair also spoke about the Emerg-E plug-in hybrid sports car concept that was unveiled recently in Geneva, commenting that the vehicle is, “signaling out intent to deliver a halo sports car in the very near future.”
Marketing stunts can be wild and crazy at times, but they rarely involve, well, actual stunts. Despite that, Infiniti will be streaming a live Cirque Du Soleil performance that features the 2012 Infiniti JX.
Infiniti says the JX will “challenge gravity” in the performance, so we hope to see it flying through the air supported by trapeze artists. The event will be called Le Voyage Inspire, and will be approximately 11 minutes long. Nine Cirque Du Soleil performers will use JX as the focus of their act.
Infiniti is getting the JX name out in as many venues possible lately, sponsoring NCAA Basketball and now getting into acrobatic acts. Surely the company is trying to guarantee its expectation that the JX will be it’s second best seller.
The Cirque Du Soleil performance will stream live Thursday, March 29, at 12 p.mm Eastern Daylight Time.
Click here to be directed to where you can watch the event, and watch the video below explaining how the event came to be.
Infiniti has had quite the success with its G-series . The G35 coupe was a huge hit when it first came out on the market, and its G37 successor in both coupe and sedan form have well received. So it’s really no surprise that the Japanese automaker looks to expand their lineup with even more variants to offer.
Infiniti recently filed trademarks for G35h, G30t, and G22d, giving us a hint of things to come for its popular model. There’s a good chance that the G will get a model refresh in 2014 and with it should be the debut of the hybrid model G35h. Given that the powertrain has been tested in their M35h model, it would be a natural fit to shoehorn the 3.5-liter V6 into a G body. The M35h already claimed the title of World’s Fastest Hybrid, so a smaller, lighter G35h would probably dethrone it while offering a sportier driving experience.
Our educated guess for the G30t probably hints at a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine which would give it a viable competitor to the popular BMW 335i models. Infiniti isn’t known for having turbocharged powerplants straight from the factory, but Nissan definitely has experience in that department.
As for the G22d, it sounds like a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel is in the works for the European market. We strongly doubt we’ll see a diesel-powered G model here in America anytime soon.
[Source: Car and Driver]
Questions and uncertainty are swirling around the Infiniti battery-electric vehicle (BEV) which Nissan will debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show.
The BEV, which isn’t named yet, will share underpinnings with the Nissan Leaf, but with more emphasis on power and aggressive styling.
“It was designed to be a luxury vehicle first and an electric vehicle second,” Infiniti marketing manager Sam Chung told The Detroit Bureau.
As Nissan’s second electric-only car, it underscores the value placed on such vehicles by the automaker. While ideas surrounding the car’s styling are little more than speculation, we’re wondering how much the Emerg-E concept that debuted in Geneva earlier this month might come into play.
Infiniti’s BEV will, however, adopt the mid-cycle changes headed for the Leaf. Those include an improved electric cabin heater that will be less taxing on the car’s battery, improving range and cold weather driving. The update will also bring an improved battery with better range, though the same principles apply to BEVs as do gasoline engines: the more output, the poorer the range.
Given that, it seems like the better battery will at least make it into the car if not as an even beefier version, but that coupled with a performance-first attitude suggests the vehicle’s range will probably be compromised.
Still, the new BEV will adopt an updated 6 kw charger, over the current-generation Leaf’s 3 kw charger, which will offer improved charging times, both to new Leaf customers and those interested in the more luxurious Infiniti.
We’ll be reporting live from New York next month, so check back for more details as they become available.
Infiniti has announced its newest incentive in customer service, the National Collision Repair Network.
“Facilities that have the willingness to participate in this program must have the commitment to achieve higher standards in the collision repair industry. This program will be a platform to satisfy all aspects of their customers’ automotive service needs,” said Carnie Colliver, the senior manager of Parts and Service for Infiniti Americas.
The purpose of the program is to provide consistency to all Infiniti owners looking to get their vehicles serviced regardless of where the vehicle is worked on. Infiniti will be visiting garages all around the U.S. to designate them as Certififed Collision Repair shops.
Any garage may be certified, whether it is privatley owned or already part of the Infiniti dealer network. The certified shops are recognized for their overall repair work, training, equipment and delivery services.
Customers looking for an Infiniti certified shop can search for them online using Infiniti’s dealer locator.
Infiniti is continuing to leverage its relationship with two-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel with the launch of a new global ad campaign. Earlier this month, the Japanese luxury automaker announced the official production model for the Sebastian Vettel Special Edition FX.
The marketing campaign will feature an onslaught of material including digital media, viral content films, a series of collector’s posters, and will mark the first globally broadcasted television commercial for Infiniti. The launch of the global television ad will coincide with the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix on May 26-27.
The ad, featuring the Red Bull driver, was shot in Spain prior to the pre-season F1 test session in Catalunya earlier this month. This is just the second year of the partnership between Infiniti and Red Bull Racing, both of which hope to continue expanding their relationship. We can expect to see more prominent Infiniti branding on the F1 cars, drivers, and equipment. The two are also looking into opportunities for technical collaborations in the future.
“This is an exciting new campaign which, following on from last year’s successful Vettel FX project, further illustrates how Infiniti is maximizing its partnership with Sebastian Vettel,” said Nissan’s Corporate Vice President, Global Marketing Communications Simon Sproule.
As for what Vettel had to say about the upcoming ad? “Having driven the range of Infinitis for the past year and co-developed a special edition FX, I was happy to work with Infiniti on this campaign. I had great fun shooting the advert in Spain, and I can’t wait to see the finished product in the coming weeks!”
GALLERY: Infiniti Behind-the-Scenes with Sebastian Vettel
