Infiniti Wants to Double its European Sales this Year

Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti aims to double its sales in Europe during the 2011 fiscal year, according to company officials. The expected growth will be fueled not only by the introduction of new models and powertrain options, but also by the expansion of its dealer network.

"In 2011, Western Europe will be somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000 units" said Infiniti Europe Vice President Jim Wright in an interview with Automotive News. That is a substantial increase over the 4,500 units sold in the 2010 fiscal year ending March 31, albeit still not even close to challenging the other premium automakers in Europe (i.e. BMW sold 45,600 cars in January 2011 alone).

The introduction of new models such as the Infiniti M sedan, as well as the addition of a diesel option on the EX and FX crossovers, are expected to lead to increased sales. This spring, the M35h hybrid will also join Infiniti’s European range, offering buyers an eco-friendly alternative to the petrol and diesel variants of the M series.

The Infiniti official also expects growth from Russia, where sale volumes should equal those from Western Europe, at 7,000 to 8,000 units (up from 6,000 in fiscal year 2010).

Mr. Wright added that Infiniti will continue to expand the dealer network across Europe, as the company plans to have 60 dealerships in Western Europe by the end of fiscal year 2011, 20 more than in 2010. As for the Russian and Ukrainian market, Infiniti is counting on jumping from its current 14 stores to 19 or 20.

The upcoming entry-level model previewed by the Etherea concept at the Geneva Motor Show is not included in Infiniti’s current plans, as the car is not expected to arrive before 2013.

By Dan Mihalascu

Via: Autonews Europe [Sub. Req.]

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Infiniti Dealer in Germany Presents Tuning Package for M30d

Given that Infiniti is making its first steps in Europe, very few tuners in the market have touched the Japanese brand's products. Having said that, it shouldn't come as a surprise that an Infiniti dealer has stepped in to fill the void. In particular, Infiniti Centre Hamburg in Germany has released two tuning packages for the recently launched diesel-powered M30d.

The "Stage 1 Package" for the M30d includes painted door handles (€600), red brake calipers with Infiniti lettering (€1,200 €), a lowered sports suspension (€1,495), a black radiator grille (€550) and a black-foil-covered roof (€400). The package is completed by an performance kit (€1,250) for the 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel boosting output from 238HP to 280HP.

The "Stage 2 Package" rounds off the tune with a set of 22-inch alloy wheels from Schmidt wrapped around 265/30 R22 Pirelli tires up front and 295/25 R22 tires at the back for a total cost of €6,800.

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2012 Infiniti M Hybrid Carries a $53,700 Price Tag

The new 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid will go on sale firm's retailers on March 16, 2011, with a base price of $53,700, or $7,000 more than the regular M37 that's powered by a 330HP 3.7-liter V6, the company announced. Infiniti's first mass produced hybrid model pairs a 306HP 3.5-liter V6 engine to a 50 kW [68HP] electric motor for a combined net output of 360HP and an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg City, 32 mpg Highway, and 29 mpg combined.

The rear-wheel drive Infiniti M Hybrid is offered in a single trim model that comes equipped with leather-appointed seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, Active Noise Control, Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System and power sliding glass tinted moonroof plus the Blind Spot Intervention system, Active Trace Control, and Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System, as standard.

“We’re excited to be able to bring in the new Infiniti M Hybrid – with its exceptional blend of power, efficiency, style, luxury and technology – at an M.S.R.P. of under $54,000,” said Infiniti Vice President Ben Poore. “Competitively priced, though with little real direct competition, we expect the M Hybrid to continue the strong sales momentum the new Infiniti M Sedan has been experiencing since its launch in the 2011 model year.”

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New 2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid Rated at 29 mpg Combined

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) fuel economy figures for Infiniti's all-new M35h are finally out. According to the government agency, the Japanese brand's first-ever hybrid model returns an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg on the combined cycle.

For comparison, the conventional M37 with a 330HP 3.7-liter V6 is rated at 18 mpg City and 26 mpg Highway, while the M56 that is powered by a 420HP 5.6-liter V8, at 16 mpg City and 25 mpg Highway.

The M35h's drivetrain pairs a 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine with 306HP to a 50 kW [68HP] electric motor for a system net output of 360 horsepower. Both the gasoline V6 and electric motor deliver their power to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. Infiniti says the 1.830 kg (4.035 lbs) luxury sedan can reach 62mph (100km/) from standstill in 5.5 seconds en route to a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

According to the Japanese automaker, the M35h can drive on electric power alone at speeds up to 62 mph for a distance of up to 1.2 miles at a time.

U.S. sales of the 2012 M35h will start this spring.

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Infiniti Details European-Spec M35h Hybrid Sedan

Infiniti has released preliminary specs and performance figures for the European market version of its M35h hybrid sedan, due to arrive in dealerships this spring. Boasting an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.26, the Japanese maker’s first hybrid model weighs less than its diesel-powered M30d sibling and returns 6.9 lt/100 km (33.6 US mpg) on the combined cycle. However, customers will have to make do with a smaller boot, measuring just 350 liters.

The hybrid sedan's powertrain comprises a 306HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission and a 68HP (50kW) electric motor. The combined output is 364HP, good enough to accelerate the 1.830 kg (4.035 lbs) luxury sedan from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

In electric-only mode, the M35h is capable of reaching speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph, with Infiniti stating that in real-world testing, the car can be driven in this mode for as much as 50% of the time on mixed routes. To further improve the powertrain’s efficiency, the M35h also comes with regenerative brakes.

To warn pedestrians and the visually impaired while in electric-only mode, the hybrid sedan is fitted with the Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system, which emits a non-intrusive sound that varies pitch and volume at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph).

Infiniti said European-wide pricing will be announced before the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in early March.

By Csaba Daradics

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Infiniti Prices New M37 Saloon from £35,150 in the UK

Infiniti's has released pricing on its UK market M37 model that's powered by a 3.7-litre petrol V6 engine The Japanese firm's BMW 5-Series rival will be available in five different grades priced from £35,150. The M range will be extended by the M30d diesel in October and the M35 hybrid in spring 2011, with prices and specifications for these versions to be announced at a later date.

The M37 is motivated by Infiniti's 3.7-litre petrol V6 churning out 316 bhp (320 PS) that propels the four-door saloon from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 6.2 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 27.7 mpg UK while CO2 emissions are 235 g/km.

The base M37 is priced at £35,150 and comes equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission, bi-Xenon lights, 10-way power front seats, reversing camera, hard disk drive (HDD) sound system and the firm's new Drive Mode Selector which tailors key driving parameters to Sport, Normal, Snow and Eco settings.

The M37 GT start from £37,650 adding semi-aniline leather, heated and ventilated front seats and White Ash wood trim with silver powder finish. Next up is the M37S, which costs £39,650 and adds 4-Wheel Active Steering (4WAS), sports suspension, sports seats (also heated and ventilated), gearshift paddles and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Infiniti also offers "Premium" versions of both the GT (from £43,000) and the S (from £45,000). These get a Dynamic Safety Shield package, Forest Air, a 16-speaker Bose sound system and the Connectiviti+ information and entertainment platform comprising 30GB HDD navigation.

In addition, the Premium versions also feature a system called "Eco Pedal", which helps reduce fuel consumption by push back the accelerator pedal on the driver's foot when it detects excess pressure and poor fuel efficiency.

Rumors: Next Infiniti M and G May Share Platform with Mercedes E-Class

There has been a lot of talk lately about the recently inked strategic cooperation between Daimler AG and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. And we're not referring to the official agreements on the development of a new rear-wheel drive platform for small cars and the swapping of diesel and petrol engines between the two groups.

Leaving aside recent rumors of a small Infiniti CUV based on the next generation of Mercedes' A / B Class, Japan's Best Car magazine is now reporting in its latest issue that the Infiniti M and G replacements (Nissan Fuga and Skyline in Japan) will share a common architecture with the Mercedes E-Class.

Even though there's no official confirmation, the prospective move makes sense not only because Mercedes-Benz has already agreed to give Infiniti a range of four- and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines for its future models, but also because of the broader savings in vehicle development costs for both automakers.

Source: Best Car

Infiniti Presents Its First-Ever Diesel Models: EX30d, FX30d and M30d with 238HP 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel

When the Renault-Nissan Alliance announced its decision to establish Infiniti as a global player, it was a no brainer that in order to succeed in key markets like Europe, the luxury brand had to offer buyers the option of a diesel engine, especially on SUV/Crossover models where diesel represents the bulk of sector sales.

And true enough, Infiniti has now presented its first ever diesel engine with the arrival of a newly developed 3.0-litre V6 that will be launched this year in Europe on the EX and FX SUVs as well as the M sedan.

Designated V9X, the new 238HP V6 diesel has been developed in Europe by Infiniti engineers working with other engineers from Renault and Nissan and it can be used to power front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models. It is manufactured in Cleon in France, some 100km west of Paris.

Renault premiered its version of the 3.0-liter V6 dCi turbo diesel in the Laguna Coupe at the 2008 Paris Motorshow, in October. On this model it produces 235HP and 450 Nm (332.9 lbs-ft) of torque.

There are a number of key differences between the Infiniti engine and the version used in front-wheel drive applications.

As used in Infiniti models, the V6 diesel has a different cylinder block, a new design of crankshaft as well as new or revised intake manifold, fuel injection system, exhaust gas recirculation, turbocharger, oil sump and manifold catalyst. Furthermore, Infiniti claims that it is tuned differently for more responsive performance.

In the EX30d and FX30d, the 3.0-liter V6 diesel produces a maximum output of 238 horsepower and a heft 550Nm or 405 lb-ft of peak torque available from 1,750 rpm to 2,500 rpm, while as much as 500 Nm or 368.7 lb-ft is available from a mere 1,500 rpm.

In order to fit under the the bonnet of both the EX and FX models, Infiniti went ahead and created a new front subframe, altered the front bumper designs to enhance air flow into the engine bay and redesigned the sheet metal within the engine bay to house additional radiators needed for cooling.

Matted to a standard 7-speed Automatic transmission, the V6 turbo diesel propels the EX30d to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.9 seconds and the FX30d in 8.3 seconds.

The EX30d returns a combined fuel figure of 8.4 lt/100km (28mpg US or 33.6mpg UK) in the European cycle with 224 g/km of CO2. The equivalent figures for FX are and 9.0 lt/100km (26.1mpg US or 31.8mpg) and 240 g/km.

"The new diesel engine allows us access to a far greater sector of the market without compromising on our core values. More than that, it's an exceptional engine, with impressive torque from very low revs helping to deliver progressive, linear acceleration with none of the typical disadvantages of unwanted noise and vibrations," says Jim Wright, Vice President, Infiniti Europe.

"By creating a bespoke sporting diesel, we have been able to maintain the combination of performance and luxury expected from an Infiniti with the added bonus of lower emissions and improved fuel economy. It's a win-win position," Wright added.

Infiniti's European division will first launch the EX30d and FX30d onto the market with the M30d to follow later in the year. The diesel models will have their world premiere at the Geneva Salon in the beginning of March.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has said in the past that it wants to offer its new V6 diesel engine on certain Nissan and Infiniti models in the States, but the company has yet to announce specific plans.

Infiniti Puts a Price Tag on All-New 2011 M Sedan, Starts from $46,250*

Almost six weeks ahead of the all-new 2011 M sedan's US market launch, Infiniti has released pricing on the M37 and M56 models. The base, rear-wheel drive M37 that's powered by a 330HP 3.7-liter V6 starts at $46,250 while its all-wheel drive sibling, the M37x at $48,400.

These prices are $450 more than the outgoing 2010 M35 and M35x models, but according to Infiniti, both models feature added content such as the firm's Drive Mode Selector, Active Noise Control and Enhanced Intelligent Key memory that now includes audio, navigation and climate control settings.

The range-topping 2011 M56 that gets a 420-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine starts $57,550 in rear wheel drive guise, and $60,050 for the M56x with Infiniti's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.

Keep in mind that all of the above MSRPs exclude applicable tax, title, license and Destination & Handling fees.