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Infiniti is blazing an unconventional path to electrification

When it comes to electrification, Infiniti has a history of speaking a great deal but doing little. The Nissan-owned company's plug-in offensive will start in the 2020s, and it provided preliminary details about the technology that motorists can expect to find in showrooms in the not-too-distant future. Eric Rigaux, Infiniti's general manager of product strategy and planning, told Roadshow the firm's engineering department is putting the final touches on two forward-thinking electrified powertrains. The first one will run solely on electricity, while the second one will rely on a gasoline-powered generator to provide more range. Both are being developed to fit into a flexible new platform. Technical details about the electric setup remain vague, so we don't know how big of a battery pack Infiniti will use, or how many motors will draw electricity from it. However, Roadshow learned the gasoline-electric layout will never need to be plugged in, because a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine equipped with Infiniti's innovative variable-compression technology will produce the electricity it needs to run. The triple won't directly spin the wheels; it will channel the juice it creates to a battery pack. It's not a zero-emissions solution, but it's one that makes a lot of sense, because users won't need to wait for a charge, and they'll be able to drive for about 500 miles between fill-ups. The now-defunct Chevrolet Volt featured a similar drivetrain, but owners had the possibility of plugging it in. Infiniti won't give motorists that option; there won't be a plug anywhere on the car. Fluid-filled motor mounts and active noise cancellation will ensure the passengers don't feel or hear the triple whirring away. Meanwhile, two electric motors (one over each axle) will deliver between 248 and 429 horsepower; final specifications haven't been signed off yet. And, because power will come from gasoline, there's no need to integrate a bulky battery pack into the chassis. Infiniti's future gasoline-electric models won't require anything bigger than a 5.1-kilowatt-hour unit, which can unintrusively be stuffed under the trunk floor or sandwiched between the floor and the rear seat. Infiniti chose a crossover to inaugurate its battery-electric powertrain; the QX Inspiration concept (pictured) unveiled during the 2019 Detroit Auto Show shed light on what the model will look like.

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge running prototype driven by Sebastian Vettel

Infiniti's high-performance Q50 Eau Rouge concept might be one of the biggest teases in the current automotive world. It was first shown at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show as a body without an engine. Then, the sports sedan arrived at the Geneva Motor Show with a modified version of the turbocharged V6 from the GT-R under the hood, tuned to 560 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, and with all-wheel drive. However, it was still just a concept. Finally, the Japanese luxury automaker is showing us what the Eau Rouge can do on the road - briefly.
The company brought reigning Formula One champ Sebastian Vettel along to get behind the wheel, for this all-too-short video from the Millbrook Proving Ground in the UK. There's more good news too. While Infiniti isn't saying that it's definitely going to build the Eau Rouge, it is "pressing ahead with the evaluation." More info about these tests will be released at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show at the end of April. Scroll down to watch Vettel drive the Q50 Eau Rouge and read a little more about it.

2022 Infiniti QX60 Review | Redesigned and relevant for the first time

Previously an afterthought in its segment, the completely redesigned 2022 Infiniti QX60 is a large luxury SUV now worth considering. It's far more stylish on the outside, and it's combined with a more luxurious interior with great standard technology and convenience features. It drives much better thanks to a new transmission and sharper suspension tuning. It all adds up to a real competitor. That doesn't mean it's a class-leader, but it's well matched to similarly priced options from Acura, Lincoln, Cadillac, Volvo, Jeep and Hyundai. In fact, with a base price of just over $47,000, it's cheaper than many of the luxury-branded alternatives, and very competitive with the high-end options of mainstream brands. Its one real weakness is a lack of powertrain options. Many vehicles in this segment have at least a couple engines to choose from, including hybrid options. Infiniti offers only a single V6 option. But the affordable price point, spacious and well-appointed interior, and good driving dynamics nevertheless make it a luxury SUV you should check out. Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy What it's like to drive   |   Pricing & Features   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features What's new for 2022? The Infiniti QX60 is completely redesigned for 2022. You can read more about the changes in our first drive review. What are the QX60 interior and in-car technology like? Some of the biggest improvements to the QX60 are inside. The dash has a low and wide lower plane that feels modern and airy. The air vents are hidden in one wide opening in this zone, and various surfaces feature stitched upholstery. Base models feature gloss black trim, with upper trims getting aluminum or natural finish wood trim. The top Autograph trim, which is pictured in this review, combines that lovely wood trim with unique-looking quilted leather on top of the dash. All QX60s feature a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It runs basically the same infotainment suite that you find on Nissans, and that's a good thing. It features large, easy-to-find and easy-to-press icons. It all runs quickly and smoothly and is responsive to taps. We also appreciate that climate and audio controls have dedicated controls below the air vents. The volume and climate knobs are particularly appreciated, though the touch-sensitive buttons are less so.