Infiniti has announced that it plans to launch five new cars over the coming three years, the first of which will be a coupe version of the QX50 that’s due in mid-2020. According to Automotive News, the crossover coupe, dubbed the QX55, is expected get a sloping roofline inspired by the first-generation QX70 (formerly known as the Infiniti FX).
While it will share the same 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine as the QX50, the QX55 is set to receive unique design elements such as a revised front fascia, as well as a new grille design.
It’s made specifically for customers who find utility important, but styling a paramount component of a car, company product planning director Tim Franklin told the publication. “It’s targeted at pre-family [buyers] and singles who are willing to make some compromise on space, for style,” he added.
After that will be the QX60 facelift, which is Infiniti’s current best-selling model in the US. Upgrades include a large radiator grille, a dual-tone roof, and two 12.3-inch screens – one for the instrument cluster, another for the infotainment system.
Infiniti’s global head of product strategy and planning, Eric Rigaux said: “Overall, the styling of the car [QX60] is dramatically different from the one we have today. It’s much more SUV-like with a much stronger presence.”
In the mid term, Infiniti will launch three electrified vehicles – a crossover and two sedans. All three are part of the automaker’s “two-powertrain, one-platform” electrification strategy. The company will also roll out cars based on Nissan’s e-Power range extender technology, which uses a petrol engine to charge the onboard lithium-ion battery that propels the car.
Apparently, Infiniti’s take on the e-Power may utilise the QX50’s variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engine to power a battery that drives two electric motors. This system will bring AWD to the table, and will likely be debuting on the QX Inspiration concept that was unveiled earlier this year. On a full charge, the pure electric cruising range is said to be just under 500 km.
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Actually, there is a market for electric luxury cars. Example: Electric cars are exempt from the ‘London Congestion Chargetoll’. Rich people can enter inner London with their electric vehicle for free, while average people have to pay 10 Pound for the day.
Range extender tech has long gone in the West. Its an idea spawn decades ago, how many e-notes have they sold globally? BMW i3 is a good example. The idea of having a full EV is low maintenance and running cost plus encouraging use of renewable energy. Having a range extender goes back in time to a hybrid model, buyers will have to service electric components and ICE. Anyway, its only a press release and their plans. At times manufacturers like to go against the flow, ultimately profit will lead them. Just pity those who buy-in to the idea where everyone in the world is moving away.