Infiniti Confirms UK Pricing for its First Diesel Model, the FX30d

The first-ever diesel-powered Infiniti, the new FX30d is orderable now in Britain from £45,150, or £200 more than the equivalent FX37 petrol model, with deliveries set to start from July.

The FX30d uses a new 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine co-developed in Europe with other engineers from the Renault - Nissan Alliance. The diesel unit delivers 238-horsepower and 550Nm (406 lb ft) of pulling power, available at just 1750rpm.

Paired with the standard 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control automatic transmission, the V6 turbo diesel powers the FX30d from 0-62 mph (100km/h) in 8.3 seconds. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 31.4 mpg UK (equal to 9.0lt/100km and 26.1 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 238 g/km.

The FX30d is offered in four three trim levels, GT (£45,150), GT Premium (£49,680), S (£47,200) and S Premium (£51,730).

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Infiniti Confirms UK Pricing for its First Diesel Model, the FX30d

The first-ever diesel-powered Infiniti, the new FX30d is orderable now in Britain from £45,150, or £200 more than the equivalent FX37 petrol model, with deliveries set to start from July.

The FX30d uses a new 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine co-developed in Europe with other engineers from the Renault - Nissan Alliance. The diesel unit delivers 238-horsepower and 550Nm (406 lb ft) of pulling power, available at just 1750rpm.

Paired with the standard 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control automatic transmission, the V6 turbo diesel powers the FX30d from 0-62 mph (100km/h) in 8.3 seconds. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 31.4 mpg UK (equal to 9.0lt/100km and 26.1 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 238 g/km.

The FX30d is offered in four three trim levels, GT (£45,150), GT Premium (£49,680), S (£47,200) and S Premium (£51,730).

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Infiniti Recalling 134,215 G35 Sedan and Coupe Models Over Airbag Issue

Nissan said on Tuesday it will recall close to 135,000 Infiniti G35 sedans and coupes to address a glitch with a wiring harness connecting the belt tension sensor (BTS) and the occupant detection sensor (ODS) control unit under the front passenger seat that may prevent the passenger airbag from deploying in a crash.

The affected models are G35 sedans manufactured from March 29, 2004 through August 25, 2006, and G35 Coupes built between April 1, 2004 and May 30, 2007.

Even though the Japanese automaker initiated the voluntary recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website that Infiniti's parent company Nissan has yet to provide the agency with a fix or a notification schedule.

For more information, Infiniti owners can contact the company directly at 1-800-662-6200.

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Daimler and Renault-Nissan Alliance Tie the Knot: Infiniti Gets Mercedes-Benz Engines

In the latest sign of auto industry marriages, Mercedes-Benz' parent company Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance made their relationship official today at a news conference in Brussels, Belgium.

The two groups announced a broad strategic cooperation that includes an equity exchange that gives the Renault-Nissan Alliance a 3.1% stake in Daimler, and Daimler a 3.1% in Renault and a 3.1% stake in Nissan.

The newly-wed trio also revealed that they have agreed upon specific projects including the sharing and development of common powertrains and vehicle platforms that will be implemented with immediate effect.

Under the agreement, the two groups will co-develop a new platform that will be used on the successor to the current Smart Fortwo, a new four-seater Smart and the next-generation Renault Twingo.

Oddly enough (at least for Renault), the two automakers said that one main characteristic of the new architecture will be the unique rear wheel drive concept.

The launches of the jointly developed models are planned for 2013 onwards with Daimler's Smart plant in Hambach, France to handle the production for the two-seater versions, and the Renault plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, to build the four-seater variants.

According to the two companies, the jointly developed future models will also be available with an electric drive right from their market launch.

Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance will also share powertrains for other models.

In particular, The Renault-Nissan Alliance will provide 3- and 4 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines out of its portfolio to Daimler, which will then be adapted and modified to reflect Mercedes' characteristics. These engines will be used on a variety of small Mercedes-Benz models.

Daimler on the other hand will give 4- and 6 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines to the Renault-Nissan Alliance's luxury division, Infiniti.

The companies have also agreed on a close cooperation in the light commercial vehicle segment. Mercedes-Benz's Van division will expand its portfolio to offer an all-new entry-level LCV based on a Renault model in 2012. It will be produced at the Renault plant in Maubeuge, France.

In addition to cooperating on small commercial vehicles, selected powertrain components will also be shared to enlarge mid-size vans. This includes a small diesel engine and transmissions which Daimler will obtain from Renault-Nissan for its mid-size van, the Mercedes-Benz Vito.

Finally, the two groups said that they are open to "future opportunities for collaboration" including the use of modules and components between Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, regional cooperation in the United States, China and Japan as well as the development of technologies related to electric vehicles and batteries.

Here's what the bosses over at Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance had to say about the "marriage":

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars:

"Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are combining common interests to form a promising foundation for a successful, strategically sound cooperation that is based on a number of very concrete and attractive project cooperations. Our skills complement each other very well. Right away, we are strengthening our competitiveness in the small and compact car segment and are reducing our CO₂ footprint – both on a long-term basis. We know that we can make brand-typical products based on shared architectures. The individual brand identities will remain unaffected."

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance:

"The Renault-Nissan Alliance knows how to work successfully in collaborative partnerships, and this experience is extremely valuable in today's and even more tomorrow's global auto industry. This agreement will extend our strategic collaboration and create lasting value for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler as we work on broadening and strengthening our product offering, efficiently utilizing all available resources and developing the innovative technologies required in the coming decade."

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Daimler and Renault-Nissan Alliance Tie the Knot: Infiniti Gets Mercedes-Benz Engines

In the latest sign of auto industry marriages, Mercedes-Benz' parent company Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance made their relationship official today at a news conference in Brussels, Belgium.

The two groups announced a broad strategic cooperation that includes an equity exchange that gives the Renault-Nissan Alliance a 3.1% stake in Daimler, and Daimler a 3.1% in Renault and a 3.1% stake in Nissan.

The newly-wed trio also revealed that they have agreed upon specific projects including the sharing and development of common powertrains and vehicle platforms that will be implemented with immediate effect.

Under the agreement, the two groups will co-develop a new platform that will be used on the successor to the current Smart Fortwo, a new four-seater Smart and the next-generation Renault Twingo.

Oddly enough (at least for Renault), the two automakers said that one main characteristic of the new architecture will be the unique rear wheel drive concept.

The launches of the jointly developed models are planned for 2013 onwards with Daimler's Smart plant in Hambach, France to handle the production for the two-seater versions, and the Renault plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, to build the four-seater variants.

According to the two companies, the jointly developed future models will also be available with an electric drive right from their market launch.

Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance will also share powertrains for other models.

In particular, The Renault-Nissan Alliance will provide 3- and 4 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines out of its portfolio to Daimler, which will then be adapted and modified to reflect Mercedes' characteristics. These engines will be used on a variety of small Mercedes-Benz models.

Daimler on the other hand will give 4- and 6 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines to the Renault-Nissan Alliance's luxury division, Infiniti.

The companies have also agreed on a close cooperation in the light commercial vehicle segment. Mercedes-Benz's Van division will expand its portfolio to offer an all-new entry-level LCV based on a Renault model in 2012. It will be produced at the Renault plant in Maubeuge, France.

In addition to cooperating on small commercial vehicles, selected powertrain components will also be shared to enlarge mid-size vans. This includes a small diesel engine and transmissions which Daimler will obtain from Renault-Nissan for its mid-size van, the Mercedes-Benz Vito.

Finally, the two groups said that they are open to "future opportunities for collaboration" including the use of modules and components between Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, regional cooperation in the United States, China and Japan as well as the development of technologies related to electric vehicles and batteries.

Here's what the bosses over at Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance had to say about the "marriage":

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars:

"Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are combining common interests to form a promising foundation for a successful, strategically sound cooperation that is based on a number of very concrete and attractive project cooperations. Our skills complement each other very well. Right away, we are strengthening our competitiveness in the small and compact car segment and are reducing our CO₂ footprint – both on a long-term basis. We know that we can make brand-typical products based on shared architectures. The individual brand identities will remain unaffected."

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance:

"The Renault-Nissan Alliance knows how to work successfully in collaborative partnerships, and this experience is extremely valuable in today's and even more tomorrow's global auto industry. This agreement will extend our strategic collaboration and create lasting value for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler as we work on broadening and strengthening our product offering, efficiently utilizing all available resources and developing the innovative technologies required in the coming decade."

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NY Show: 2011 Infiniti QX Officially Unveiled, Priced from $56,700

[Updated with New Photos] Infiniti (officially) pulled the wraps off its all-new 2011 QX56 full-size SUV at the New York International Auto Show. Bigger and brawnier than its predecessor, the second-generation QX is based on the recently revealed 2011 Nissan Patrol. Infiniti's version features a unique front and end treatment, but the rest of the body has remained virtually unchanged.

"The look is clearly Infiniti with its signature Infiniti grille, broad shoulders and large greenhouse," says Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit. "It's rugged, sophisticated and completely captivating." Well, we'll let you be the judge of that.

Styling aside, the new QX features revised dimensions versus the previous model as it is 1.4-inches longer, 1.1-inches wider and 3.8-inches lower in overall height.

Infiniti claims that the QX56's cabin is unique and almost out-of-this-world. Even so, there are no significant differences between the interiors of the Patrol and the Q56.

"If you could take the interior of a private jet and transform it into a full-size SUV, this wouldn't be far off," said Poore.

"From its available sofa-like semi-aniline leather seating to its premium audio and three-source entertainment systems, the QX interior is world-class. It's a highly adaptive environment, with a quality and quietness that adds to the stress-free driving and riding experience."

The new QX features standard 7-passenger seating capacity, with 8-passenger capacity available with the 2nd row 60/40-split folding bench seat. Also available is a remote release for the 2nd row seats to activate the tip-up function through a switch on the center stack. The 3rd row seat is a 60/40-split power folding design with reclining capability.

Like its sister Nissan model, the 2011 QX56 is powered by a new 5.6-liter V8 engine with direct-injection technology that's rated at 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Despite the 25% increase in horsepower over the previous QX, Infiniti claims that the new model is more than 10% more fuel efficient.

The V8 unit is hooked up to a standard 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and manual shift mode with Downshift Rev Match.

The QX is offered in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, with the 4WD model featuring Infiniti's All-Mode 4WD system with Auto, 4H, and 4L modes. The system can transfer up to 50 per cent of torque to the front wheels on demand.

Infiniti said that the QX's maximum towing capacity is 8,500 pounds for both 2WD and 4WD models.

As a first for Infiniti, the new QX will be offered with an optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system that utilizes hydraulic cylinders located at the shock absorbers to adjust roll stiffness in order to reduce body lean while turning.

The 2011 QX is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide in early summer with pricing set at $56,700 USD for the 2WD and $59,800 USD for the 4WD model. These prices are the same as the previous generation QX.

[NY Show Photos by Phil Alex]

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