As previously reported, Infiniti will bring two M-based models to Pebble Beach. Today, in an interview with Automotive News, Ben Poore, vice president of the Infiniti business unit, offered new details on the two cars.
The two models will be revealed in October or November with the new one being referred as a new engine option, not an all-new model. Poore described the second offering as a product in a "volume segment" that is new to Infiniti. "It expands our footprint into an area where we’ve never played before," he said. Both models will go on sale before Infiniti will offer the hybrid M sedan. He also confirmed that Infiniti is preparing a four-seater hybrid model, but he offered no other details on it.
You heard a lot people talking about the recent alliance between Daimler and Renault-Nissan, but what will this bring to the Infiniti line-up? According to Japan’s Best Car magazine the Infiniti M and Infiniti G replacements (known as the Nissan Fuga and Skyline in Japan) will share a foundation with the Mercedes E-Class. This may be a little hard to believe, but it is not completely crazy. Look at Volkswagen and Porsche. That seemed to be an unlikely pairing as well and they have done it. The platform sharing between Mercedes and Infiniti are just rumors for now, but we will keep chugging ahead until we get some sort of confirmation or refutability of this development.
What we do know about this alliance so far is that it will bring the development of a new rear-wheel drive platform for small cars and the sharing of diesel and petrol engines between the two groups. Also, a small Infiniti CUV based on the next generation of the Mercedes A-class is also a possibility.
Sounds to us like this could mark the start of a productive friendship. Especially if we get to see some high-speed Mercedes engines in cheaper Infiniti models.
A few days ago we reported that Infiniti will bring two M-based models to the Pebble Beach Concours. Today, AutoBlog reports that the new models will be sold under the Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) nomenclature.
What is IPL? "A new catalog of in-house developed upgrades which – according to the filing – will include everything from air filters to cat-back exhaust systems, and – more intriguingly – "automotive engine parts, namely turbochargers and superchargers." Most like Infiniti’s version of the Nissan’s Nismo and the F-Sport line for Lexus.
Previously reported, the two models being brought to Pebble Beach "will extend Infiniti into an area we haven’t been before and that one of those models will be more performance oriented." Any performance orientation mixed in with some turbochargers and superchargers would definitely be a hot ticket. We can’t wait to see what specifications come out of Pebble Beach this year...namely by Infiniti.
A few days ago we reported that Infiniti was working on a coupe and convertible version based on the new generation M luxury sedan. Today, Autoblog confirms that Infiniti will bring two M-based models to Pebble Beach.
According to Autoblog, the two models "will extend Infiniti into an area we haven’t been before and that one of those models will be more performance oriented."
The two models will be inspired by the new Essence Concept that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show last year in both design and powertrain It will be offered in a twin-turbo, direct injected V6 engine delivering more than 450 HP.
There’s no rest for the weary! Automakers everywhere are trying to step up their game to compete with the drowning economy and Infiniti is no different. After Infiniti unveiled the M luxury sedan we had no idea that they were considering expanding their lineup to three; sedan, coupe, and a convertible. This is, after all, an intelligent move by Infiniti if they hope to go head to head with the future Mercedes E-Class coupe and convertible version and the future BMW 6-Series.
The design language will be inspired by the Essence concept car that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary and to provide an inside look at the brand’s future. This future is in the Infiniti M coupe and convertible that will include the concept’s unusual B-pillar and front fender side vents. Like the sedan version, the coupe and convertible models will also be offered in M37 and M56 versions. The Infiniti M56 is powered by a 420 HP 5.6 Liter VVEL Direct Injected V8 and the M37 by a 330 HP 3.7 Liter VVEL V6. The M56 sedan is priced at $58,000.
