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How Infiniti's 'gas-generated EV' isn't the jumbo shrimp of powertrains

LOS ANGELES — Infiniti recently introduced the concept of what it's calling "gas-generated EV" powertrain technology. At first read, and perhaps everyone thereafter, the term seems contradictory, not unlike "jumbo shrimp." How can an electric vehicle use gasoline? The answer to that is both a technological one and a marketing one. Technologically speaking, Infiniti's electrified powertrain concept is a series hybrid, most comparable to what Honda employs in its Insight, Accord Hybrid and new CR-V Hybrid. In the most basic of terms, the car's electric motor powers the wheels, the battery pack powers the electric motor, and the gasoline engine recharges the battery pack along with regenerative braking. By contrast, a parallel hybrid system as used by Toyota and others can power the wheels with the electric motor, the engine or, most frequently, both simultaneously. The result of a series hybrid is a powertrain that performs and feels more like an electric vehicle, while the engine generally whirs away, often not in step with what your right foot is doing. The Infiniti system is comparable to this, albeit with more powerful motors resulting in a more performance-oriented bent. Here's where things diverge, however. Under certain constant cruise conditions, say on the highway, the Honda system directly connects the engine with the drive wheels for greater efficiency. The Infiniti "gas-generated EV" concept will not, which frees engineers and designers to package the gasoline engine someplace other than under a front hood. In that way, it benefits from the sort of packaging advantages associated with electric vehicles. The closest comparable in this way is the BMW i3, which locates its tiny gasoline engine under the cargo area and does not attach it mechanically to the drive wheels. That's a range extender for an electric vehicle, though, which Infiniti is quick to insist is not what's going on here. There is no plug. This is a hybrid. So what's the deal with that name? If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck Â… Talking with Infiniti Group VP Jeff Pope, "gas-generated EV" is definitely a work in progress or at least a placeholder for something catchier and perhaps less contradictory in the future. "Why we're using 'gas-generated EV' is to get away from 'hybrid,' because 'hybrid' is associated with a parallel hybrid system, which has a gas engine and an electric motor that both run the powertrain.

Watch Sebastian Vettel become first driver to lap Sochi GP circuit

In April of last year, Sebastian Vettel and David Coulthard drove the unpaved Sochi Formula One circuit in a pair of Infiniti M sedans, getting both muddy and airborne in the process. Now with tarmac laid down and fences put up, Vettel and Coulthard have gone back to the Black Sea vacation spot for another hot lap, this time in a Q50 Hybrid and without the need for mud flaps.
Sochi has earned the blessing of F1's race director, so now the next test will be the fans. With a healthy amount of wall-and-fencing along the straights, it has shades of Valencia for the viewer. We hope it will be much more exciting than its Spanish counterpart when racing happens on October 12. You'll find more videos below covering Infiniti's visits to the Sochi Autodrom, and a press release on the latest lap.

2022 Infiniti QX80 gets an interior update with new, big touchscreen

The 2022 Infiniti QX80 is getting a light interior update in the form of a new touchscreen infotainment system and center stack. If you’ve seen the 2021 Nissan ArmadaÂ’s refreshed interior, then youÂ’ve seen the new QX80Â’s, because they share the same center stack and touchscreen now. This new infotainment system runs on a 12.3-inch high-res screen that sits perched at the top. ItÂ’s capable of wireless Apple CarPlay, but only wired Android Auto. Infiniti says navigation comes standard, too. We liked the new touchscreen in the Armada far more than its outgoing unit, which was ancient technology by the time it was replaced. This new screen is vibrant, features much quicker responses to inputs and is all around a massive step up in tech. YouÂ’ll see the new QX80 also has all the updated controls below the touchscreen, too. We get new dials and buttons (far fewer than before) for the radio and climate controls. Plus, the new layout necessitated a new air vent design. Say goodbye to the dual-screen layout, too, as thereÂ’s no second touchscreen in the lower part of the stack — thatÂ’s a very good thing. Taking up some of that space is a new storage cubby that can be hidden via a piece of wood trim. Flip it open, and youÂ’ll reveal a wireless phone charger and access to a 12-volt outlet.  Besides this interior change, the rest of the 2022 QX80 is carryover. It looks the same from the exterior, and itÂ’s still rocking the 5.6-liter V8 that makes 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Neither pricing nor availability for the updated QX80 were made available today, but donÂ’t expect it to be too much more than the $70,545 base price it enjoys now. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.