Nissan is planning a dozen new cars for the next few years, including redesigned Altima and Sentra sedans, some new trucks, and an electric vehicle for Infiniti.

The Altima, Sentra, and Titan are getting long in the tooth, and even the Maxima and Murano. Those will get replaced with all new cars before 2014. Infiniti will get a new three-row luxury crossover, tenatively called the JX, and a front-wheel-drive hatchback to fight the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series compacts. The NV200, now the official taxicab of New York City, will soon be available to Cash Cab enthusiasts. The popular G37 and G25 will get replaced, possibly without their manual transmissions, and an electric vehicle based on the Leaf will allow luxury drivers to assuage their financial guilt.

If you counted only 10 cars in the preceding paragraph, it shows that you’ve been paying attention (thank you!), and you would be right—there are still two surprises Nissan is holding from us. One is the return of the flagship Infiniti, for those lamenting the death of the unloved Q45. And one could be a mystery vehicle for Nissan that could be as wacky as the Murano CrossCabriolet—could it be a small sports car like the Urge concept? After all, the 240SX deserves to make a comeback.

[Source: Car And Driver]

Okay, maybe we’re reaching a bit with these “debuts” but that’s how Infiniti is billing the American auto show unveiling of the new G25 sedan at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show today. Of course, we’ve seen this G25 before, but…it’s a perfectly fine looking sedan so we’ll humor them here a bit. As its name implies, the G25 is powered by a 2.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 that produces 218 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque. Pricing will start $30,950.

For $30,950, the G25 sedan scores you features like 17-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, leather seats, aluminum interior trim, power seats, and six-speaker stereo. The upscale Journey trim level adds a backup camera, heated front seats and dual zone climate control.

As a more affordable G sedan, the G25 will likely be a new volume seller for the brand, rivaling the likes of the Audi A4 2.0T and BMW 328i. We haven’t driven the car yet, but with the G37 arguably the best alternative to a 335i, we have high hopes for the Japanese sports sedan.

GALLERY: Infiniti G25

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Infiniti‘s entry-level G25 sedan will go on sale this in October with a starting price of $31,825, $1325 less than a BMW 328i. An all-wheel drive G25x will start at $34,825. In between the two will be a G25 Journey, priced at $33,225.

Available only with a 7-speed automatic, the G25 will serve as the base model G sedan, but come with much of the premium equipment that the G37 does, including leather upholstery, aluminum trim, power seats, a premium stereo and XM satellite radio.

While the G37 offers BMW 335i rivaling performance, the truth is that most people don’t need this level of performance, and a less power, but still generously equipped sedan will serve them quite well.

[Source: Infiniti]

Along with three new Nissan models, the Japanese automaker is also planning to showcase another trio of debuts for its premium Infiniti brand at the LA Auto Show later this year. Included in the list are the Infiniti M Hybrid, the G25 Sedan and the IPL G Coupe.

The M Hybrid uses Infiniti’s 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an electric motor to get what Infiniti says is V8 power with 4-cylinder fuel economy. Infiniti has promised that its innovative new hybrid powertrain will deliver anywhere from a 60 to 90 percent improvement in fuel economy.

Joining the hybrid will be the G25 Sedan, a new entry-level Infiniti model designed to compete with the Lexus IS250 and Acura TSX. Instead of the G37′s 328-hp V6, the G25 will get a 2.5-liter V6 with 218-hp. For $30,950, a G25 sedan will still give you features like 17-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, leather seats, aluminum interior trim, power seats, and six-speaker stereo. The upscale Journey trim level adds a backup camera, heated front seats and dual zone climate control.

Finally, the IPL (Infiniti Performance Line) G Coupe will be unveiled as more potent and sport-injected version of the G37. Upgrades to the G include a retuned 3.7-liter V6 engine with a high-flow exhaust to bump power slightly to 348-hp. Torque also jumps to 276 ft-lbs. Additional modifications include a retuned suspension, 19-inch wheels with sport brakes and a limited slip differential – plus there’s a unique aero kit, as well as IPL badging for a time of 14.7:1 Other standard features include a special IPL engine cover, a back-up camera and incredible red stitching.

As always, AutoGuide will be on hand with complete coverage of all the LA Auto Show debuts starting November 17th. Until then, see our LA Auto Show preview here.

GALLERY: IPL G Coupe

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Infiniti is adding an entry level G25 model to its G Sedan range. Virtually identical to the G37, the G25 gets a 2.5L V6 putting out 218 horsepower, versus the G37′s 328 horsepower.

For $30,950, a G25 sedan will still give you features like 17-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, leather seats, aluminum interior trim, power seats, and six-speaker stereo. The upscale Journey trim level adds a backup camera, heated front seats and dual zone climate control.

The G25 is aimed at cars like the Acura TSX and Lexus IS250, both of which lack serious performance chops. The G25 should give both a good run for their money.

There have been numerous rumors that Infiniti would launch a G25 model and now there’s proof, with photos popping up online of a G25 at a dealership in China. Using a version of the VQ-Series V6, the 2.5-liter engine makes 232-hp and 190 ft-lbs of torque.

News of this new model isn’t all that surprising as the car has been on sale in Japan (as the Nissan Skyline) with the same engine for quite some time now. This new model with the fancier Infiniti trim and design is slated to launch in other markets in the future, including Russia and it’s not clear if Infiniti plans to introduce this new entry-level model in the U.S. to compete with models like the BMW 328i and Audi A4 2.0T.

Instead, it’s believed that infiniti is working on a 2.5t (turbocharged) version for North America with even more power and excellent fuel economy..

GALLERY: Infiniti G25 in China

[Source: Autohome via Autoblog]

The Infiniti G will in fact be powered by a 4-cylinder engine in the future says company CEO Carlos Ghosn, and that four-banger will come from Mercedes. Earlier this week when Mercedes parent company Daimler and Renault/Nissan announced a new partnership, the deal included the use of both 4-cylinder and V6 Mercedes powerplants in Infiniti models. One could presume these would be for the G, although there’s also speculation that the 4-cylinder could be used in a new entry-level model that Infiniti is reportedly planning.

According to a report by InsideLine, the Mercerdes 4-cylinder is likely to be the entry level engine, slotting in even under the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that reports have suggested Infiniti will launch next year in a model called the Infiniti G25. It’s possible the engine could be a 154-hp 1.8-liter supercharged engine currently used in Europe, although Mercedes has also been testing a supercharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder for the C-Class and is rumored to be working on a turbocharged 4-cylinder.

In terms of the upcoming entry-level Infiniti model, that vehicle will also be the result of a joint venture by both Infiniti and Mercedes and aimed at taking on the Audi A1 and BMW 1 Series.

As to whether all this cooperation might be bad for both brands, offering similar products to customers, Ghosn mentioned on a conference call that neither company sees it as an issue because Mercedes and Infiniti customers rarely cross-shop vehicles.

[Source: InsideLine]

Later this year, Infiniti will launch a turbocharged 2.5-liter version of its G sedan. This new model will directly target entry-level luxury competitors like the BMW 328i, Lexus IS250 and AudiA4 2.0T.

The Infiniti G25 (G25t?) will use the 2.5-liter V6 currently found in the Japanese-market Infiniti G, which is known as the Skyline. In Japan, the non-turbocharged 2.5-liter motor makes 210-hp and 195 ft-lbs o torque, meaning that a turbocharged version should produce closer to 250-hp. This would put it ahead of the competition in terms of power and offer more attractive fuel economy, not to mention a more attainable price.

Currently only a G25 sedan is planned and there is no word on if Infinti will offer the new engine in its coupe and convertible models.

The Infiniti G25 is expected to arrive this Fall.

[Source: InsideLine]