2003 Infiniti Fx35 Base Sport Utility 4-door 3.5l on 2040-cars

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Infiniti teases Qs Inspiration electrified sedan concept for Auto Shanghai

Infiniti has the third installment of its Q concept lineup ready for Auto Shanghai in a couple of weeks. The 2018 Detroit Auto Show saw the Q Inspiration concept, a slinky pearlescent sports sedan. This year's Detroit show welcomed the QX Inspiration concept, an ivory electric crossover that previewed a future product. The Shanghai debut blends the two with the Qs Inspiration concept, "an electrified sports sedan for the future," that previews a forthcoming product. The Qs Inspiration appears to pick up where the 2018 Q Inspiration left off. We noted last year's show car didn't have visible tailpipes, and we suspected an electric powertrain. That wasn't the case — Infiniti said the brand's VC-Turbo technology powered the four-door. This new Qs Inspiration is built on an "all-new flexible architecture developed specifically for electrified powertrains." That's a curious distinction if by electrified Infiniti means an electrically assisted ICE. If a car needs all the paraphernalia of an ICE drivetrain, where's the electric leap? It must be somewhere, because Infiniti says the Qs Inspiration is as groundbreaking as the Q45 sedan that birthed the brand in 1989. Company boss Christian Meunier said, "Electrification creates a range of new possibilities for sedans," the concept "letting us imagine how this type of car could be reinvigorated and adapted to fit the changing needs and tastes of drivers." The teaser tells us nothing but to expect more white. There will be an "electrified form language" outside, a "minimalist cabin" inside. The dual-zone interior contains a "clutter-free cockpit ... to engage the driver, and a relaxed passenger zone that make the most of the generous interior space." Naturally, there'll be more Japanese "artistry and craftsmanship" than you can process in one sitting. Stay tuned April 16 for the reveal.

Infiniti names former BMW man Kruger to fill de Nysschen role

Today is turning into a big one for senior leadership changes in the automotive industry. Hot on the heels of Ferrari announcing the replacement of its chairman, Infiniti has announced the appointment of its new chief executive in Roland Krüger.
Serving until now as a senior vice president at BMW, Krüger joins Infiniti as its president as well as senior VP at parent company Nissan, reporting directly to Carlos Ghosn. Krüger had been with BMW since 1998, primarily as a regional director, having previously started his career as a designer for Mitsubishi and the Smart division at Daimler.
Krüger's appointment comes just over a week after the announcement that Infiniti's chairman Andy Palmer would be leaving for Aston Martin, and two months after the departure of outgoing Infiniti president Johan de Nysschen for Cadillac. The Japanese luxury automaker, headquartered in Hong Kong, has been in the meantime essentially operating by committee in the absence of a chief executive. The nomination of Krüger will surely bring a large measure of stability and direction as the company seeks to take a larger slice of the pie, in particular from German automakers like the one for which Krüger worked until now.

2019 Infiniti Q50 Signature Edition brings its flourishes to New York Auto Show

The 2019 Infiniti Q50 Signature Edition is coming to the NY Auto Show as a limited edition version of the sport sedan. Infiniti hopes to draw folks in with a new front and rear fascia, differentiating it slightly from the rest of the Q50s out there. Every Signature Edition will come equipped with the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 under the hood that produces 300 horsepower. The bright 19-inch alloy wheels seen on this car are Signature Edition exclusives, according to Infiniti. Then you get your requisite Signature Edition badging on the trunk of this Q50. The inside gets some special touches with "Kacchu" aluminum trim and full leather sport seats. Infiniti makes a bunch of pay options standard equipment on the Signature Edition. These features include Infiniti's ProAssist bundle that includes niceties like blind-spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and backup collision intervention. You get heated seats, a heated steering wheel and navigation, as well. Infiniti is offering the Signature Edition with five different colors: Black Obsidian, Graphite Shadow, Liquid Platinum, Pure White and Iridium Blue. You're looking at the blue in the one photo Infiniti has provided pre-auto show. Infiniti hasn't given pricing or how many Signature Editions it will build, but you'll be able to buy one in May this year. Expect a low number to be available and a higher price for the "exclusivity."