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Infiniti SUV recall marks latest chapter in Takata airbag saga

Automotive parts maker Takata is having a rough year with millions of vehicles equipped with its airbag inflators being recalled. However, it looks like there might still be problems with the company's quality control, if a new recall by Infiniti is any indication.
The Japanese luxury brand is recalling 1,912 total units of the 2013 Infiniti QX56 and 2014 QX80 in North America because of a manufacturing flaw with their Takata-supplied inflators for the driver's side front airbag. Of those, 1,848 are in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Specifically, the outer baffle could be the wrong component and cause too much pressure to build up inside. According to documents submitted to NHTSA, it's possible in a crash for the part to rupture spraying metal shrapnel at occupants. At this time, Infiniti has not had any reports of this actually happening to drivers.
While this problem sounds nearly identical to the issue affecting millions of earlier vehicles, it must be noted that this is a different fault. According to the notice being sent to dealers on NHTSA's website: "This particular Voluntary Safety Recall Campaign is unrelated to two earlier campaigns that involved Takata passenger front air bag inflators on some older model Infiniti vehicles. This issue involves a much newer inflator and is a different, more isolated, Takata quality control issue."

New Infiniti QX crossover: expect a pretty Q60 on stilts

When the doors open at the Beijing Motor Show later this month, Infiniti will have a new concept to show off dubbed the QX Sport Inspiration. It takes the form of a mid-size sport-ute that could preview the next-generation QX70 crossover. The Japanese luxury automaker isn't giving us much to go on aside from the decidedly enigmatic teaser image above. But we're expecting the crossover concept to follow closely along the stylistic lines of the Q60 coupe concept we saw in Detroit earlier this year – albeit in a taller form with more space inside. And that's no bad thing, considering how sexy that two-door show car was. Infiniti tells us to anticipate such design elements as floating A-pillars and wide wheel arches, giving it a forward-looking and aggressive appearance that will foreshadow the company's next generation of crossovers. Watch this space for more as the Chinese auto expo prepares to open its doors on April 25. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. INFINITI QX SPORT INSPIRATION BREAKS COVER AHEAD OF 2016 BEIJING AUTO SHOW - First glimpse of exciting new SUV concept from Infiniti - Inspired by 'Powerful Elegance' form language - World premiere at 2016 Beijing Auto Show Rolle, Switzerland – Infiniti has revealed a first glimpse of its daring new QX Sport Inspiration, an exploration of the brand's vision for a next-generation, mid-size premium SUV. Inspired by Infiniti's 'Powerful Elegance' design philosophy, the QX Sport Inspiration features the brand's design hallmarks and stands out thanks to its striking design details and sophisticated craftsmanship. The concept rendering illustrates SUV-like proportions highlighted with wide muscular lines reminiscent of the Q60 Concept, floating A-pillars and extra-wide wheel arches. Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director, commented: "The QX Sport Inspiration expresses a power and purpose that is uniquely Infiniti. With a flowing, natural aesthetic, this concept demonstrates how Infiniti can offer something new and exciting with future QX SUV models." The Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration makes its global debut at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show (press days on April 25/26, public days from April 29 – May 4).

Infiniti's QX Sport Inspiration is still attractive, in Paris, and now gray

Yes, crossovers tend to be boring. But this one is pretty! Then we remember it's going to turn into the front-drive-based QX50, so we automatically lose some interest. But the wheels will be driven by Infiniti's new VC-Turbo engine, which is kind of exciting! And for the 2016 Paris show, those wheels are bigger – 22-inchers in place of the 21s that the QX Sport Inspiration concept debuted with in Beijing earlier this year. (It's hard to tell a difference in the photos, but you can bet the imaginary ride of this concept will suffer, imaginarily.) The 22s are also painted bronze now along with the brake calipers, and the whole vehicle gets a coat of matte gray paint to replace the silver it was originally shown with. There's also some new brown leather in the previously very black and white interior. It's still pretty black and white, actually. Then there's the variable-compression-ratio VC-Turbo engine that will power the production QX50. We're getting a better look at this 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo in cutaway form at the Paris show, and it continues to fascinate. It's a pretty neat thing, with a movable stroke position that allows it to vary the compression ratio between 8:1 for performance and 14:1 for efficiency (when the turbo isn't needed). That might not sound terribly cool, but it's a pretty big step forward in the march of efficient power. So yeah, crossovers can be boring, but at least this concept and the production car that will soon follow it have a few things going for them. Related Video: Featured Gallery Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration: Paris 2016 View 12 Photos Related Gallery Infiniti QX Sport Concept Related Gallery Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration concept for Paris View 10 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog Paris Motor Show Infiniti Crossover Concept Cars Luxury 2016 paris motor show infiniti qx sport inspiration concept