The evolution of INFINITI vehicles and technology continues to surprise and delight the automotive world, and INFINITI fans in particular. The announcement that a new generation of engines will be developed to power upcoming INFINITI vehicles was met with universal excitement. The new aluminum block engines will be both lighter and more powerful, delivering more horsepower with a smaller displacement and overall weight. An INFINITI spokesman has said that we can expect these new engines to be ready within the new two years.
The first of the new engines in development will be a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6. This new engine is likely to be available in small to midsize Q-series sedans, the Q60 coupe and convertible, as well as the QX50 and possibly the QX60 crossovers. It may also be a more fuel efficient engine option in the larger sedans. In addition, INFINITI plans to pair the new engine with a hybrid drivetrain that could produce an aggregate of 550-horsepower.
A New Path for INFINITI
The new engines that are in development are a departure from INFINITI’s long-time reliance on parent company Nissan’s family of engines. As Nissan Motor Company expands its partnership with Daimler to develop their own line of new engine choices, INFINITI has decided to bring their engine design back in-house. Apparently the engineering team at INFINITI has received such great acclaim for their vehicle and technology development in recent years that the company decided to continue the trend.
At the same time the new engine was announced INFINITI’s vice president for operations, Francois Goupil de Bouille, also unveiled the new Q80 Inspiration fastback-style concept car. The timing of the two announcements has led to speculation that the new Q80 Inspiration may be the first new production vehicle to be powered by the new 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine.
The decision to begin designing and building engines in-house is a departure for INFINITI, but one that is likely to pay off in the long run. Currently many of the engines in use in INFINITI vehicles are made under a partnership between Nissan Motors and Daimler AG in the new Nissan engine plant in Decherd, Tennessee. That plant will continue to make engines designed by Daimler for Nissan and Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Better Fuel Efficiency
As one of INFINITI’s stated goals to reduce overall fuel consumption in the entire vehicle lineup, the new family of engines may be up to 30% more fuel efficient. Eventually the new engine family may also include a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine at the low end, and a powerful but more efficient V8 engine at the high end.
The new V6 that was announced has already been discussed as part of a new hybrid drivetrain, which INFINITI planners say could achieve around 43 miles to the gallon. The output of this combination would be powerful enough to be placed in a full-size car or even an SUV or crossover vehicle.
Here at INFINITI of Coconut Creek we’ll continue to monitor the progress of INFINITI’s new engine designs and will post developments for INFINITI enthusiasts here. We’re excited to see not only the new engines, but all of the new developments coming from the world’s premium designer of innovative luxury vehicles.
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