cars news 10: Infiniti QX50 Concept Stuns in Detroit

Infiniti took the covers off the QX50 concept this week at the Detroit auto show, revealing a beautiful design that should be close to production-ready.

The QX50 Concept debuts several months after Infiniti introduced the QX Sport Inspiration Concept at the Beijing auto show. Infiniti says the QX50 Concept is “taller, wider, and more practical” than its predecessor, and demonstrates a design that can be used for a future production model. To that end, Infiniti has pushed the base of the A-pillar forward to allow for more space in the passenger compartment, while making the rear hatch more vertical to open up the cargo bay. The updated concept also has a shorter hood that’s ideal for a more compact engine, specifically Infiniti’s new VC-Turbo unit.

As previously announced, Infiniti’s new 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine will arrive on a production model in 2018. At the press conference, Infiniti said a new production QX50 will have the new engine. Billed as an alternative to diesel engines, the VC-Turbo promises high levels of efficiency and torque. It can adapt its compression ratio according to different driving conditions to deliver a balance of performance and fuel economy. Without going into detail about power, Infiniti says its new VC-Turbo engine should be 27 percent more fuel efficient than V-6 gasoline engines with similar outputs.

On the stage in Detroit, the Infiniti QX50 concept bore a new Forged Bronze paint job. Inside the cabin, you’ll notice white and brown leather materials, along with navy blue synthetic nubuck accents. Instead of shiny wood, Infiniti has incorporated real, open-pore ash into the trim of the cabin. At the center of the cabin is a touchscreen interface, which along with its navigation and entertainment functions, shows how the VC-Turbo is functioning in real time.

The QX50 Concept also demonstrates Infiniti’s plans to enhance its driver assist technologies. In the future, Infiniti vehicles will be able to navigate stop-and-go traffic on their own and monitor the position of other vehicles on the road. Still, Infiniti intends these technologies to serve as a co-pilot, not a replacement, for the driver.

Source: Infiniti