Infiniti advancing with Direct Injection

Top Speed has already reported that the Essence Concept, revealed in Geneva, is a big step forward for Infiniti. The future car not only revealed the company’s upcoming design theme, but their technological advancements as well.

The concept car is powered by a 592 HP gas-electric hybrid engine. The 3.7 liter V6 engine will find its way into the upcoming redesigned M sedan due in early 2010 where the power plant where it will develop between 340-350 HP without the help of the turbochargers. The same direct-injection technology from the concept will then be used in both the sedan and coupe versions of the G. Direct injection engines introduce the combustible mist directly into the combustion chamber instead of the intake manifold like traditional fuel injection. The benefits of direct injection is that a more precise amount of fuel in sprayed, meaning less waste and more power, it is a solution with zero drawbacks.

Parent company Nissan wants to streamline production and drop the three different V8s currently offered in favor of a single eight cylinder power plant that will go under the hoods of both Infiniti cars and trucks. In order to accomplish this the Japanese luxury automaker is currently preparing a V8 engine with direct-injection technology.

The future of the Infiniti Q is uncertain. Infiniti dealers from around the world were invited to Japan to preview a concept version of the Q and were amazed by what looked like a four door version of the Essence Concept. Nissan would like to have a luxury car that can compete with upscale models from Lexus, BMW, and Audi. However Infiniti is interested in seeing how the economic situation pans out before diving headfirst into the venture.