2004 Infiniti G35 Sedan Leather Sunroof on 2040-cars

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Infiniti ESQ is a Chinese Nissan Juke Nismo

Take a Nissan Juke Nismo, replace all of its suede and Alcantara interior with leather and cross-stitching, replace all of its badging with the words "Infiniti ESQ," and boom! You've got a made-for-China crossover aimed at "the new millennials." Infiniti teased the coming of the ESQ last month, and today, we're treated to pictures taking it in from various toothsome angles.
Whippersnappers with anywhere from 200,000 yuan ($33,507 USD) to 300,000 yuan to spend will get the same 197 horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, sport-tuned CVT and all-wheel drive that we know in the Juke Nismo. We haven't tracked down any other official information about it yet, but potential buyers will get their first look at it during the Chengdu Motor Show that opens later this month, where it will share market-specific notes with Infiniti Q50 L.

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.

2025 Infiniti QX80's Klipsch audio system previewed at CES

Infiniti hasn’t shown us the redesigned 2025 QX80 full-size, three-row SUV yet. But, the automaker is previewing its high-end audio at CES 2024. Infiniti has announced that the 2025 QX80 will feature an available Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system. But instead of showing it to us in the new production car, itÂ’s being showcased in the Infiniti QX Monograph concept, which we first saw at Pebble Beach last year. Klipsch, a high-end speaker company, will be supplying the QX80 with a total of 24 speakers, including ones located in the front headrests. The system includes 1-inch titanium tweeters and an 8-inch TriPower subwoofer, as well as a 24-channel amplifier. Klipsch, known for premium in-home sound, announced at CES 2020 that it would partner with Panasonic to bring its audio quality to the car, and demonstrated its immersive automotive audio at CES 2021 with Panasonic and Dolby Atmos Music. Just last year, the 2025 Ram 1500 debuted with Klipsch audio in its Tungsten model. Now, Klipsch enters a new vehicle segment with the Infiniti QX80. The fact that Infiniti is showing off the Klipsch audio in the QX Monograph has us wondering just how much that concept previews the 2025 QX80. The availability of the Klipsch audio system is just the first little tidbit about the 2025 QX80 weÂ’re getting from Infiniti, with more to come as the carÂ’s debut approaches later this year. “The all-new QX80 is poised to elevate InfinitiÂ’s flagship with evolved design language, exceptional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology that will make it the new standard in the luxury SUV space,” Craig Keeys, group vice president of Infiniti Americas, said in a statement. “As we embark on an Infiniti product renaissance, we canÂ’t wait to share all the ways QX80 will deliver extraordinary comfort and convenience for all three rows.” Stay tuned. Related video: