Expanding Infiniti: Three new models under development

[ZilviaBot]

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Minivans/MPVs, Sedans/Saloons, Supercars, Infiniti, Nissan


Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's global design chief, revealed that plans to expand the Infiniti lineup could include a small vehicle to slot in below the current G, a two-door high-powered flagship and some form of people mover that would fill the gap left by the EX and FX CUVs.

Since the GT-R will find its way to U.S. shores sporting a Nissan badge (and rightfully so), Nakamura maintains that a halo car, either a coupe or convertible, would fit well into the Infiniti lineup. Although details are scarce, the idea of installing a modified version of the GT-R's twin-turbo V6 into Infiniti's flagship shouldn't be out of the question.

On the other side of spectrum lies an entry-level model that would sport a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in favor of the 3.5-liter or 3.7-liter V6s that populate the majority of Infiniti's models. It stands to reason that the 200 HP QR25DE four-pot powering the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V would be a good fit, and if Infiniti decides to continue with a focus on RWD vehicles, we smell a sales sensation.

Nakamura is quick to point out that, "These are just ideas we are thinking about." But if Carlos Ghosn's optimism for the brand is matched with the right amount of R&D dollars, there's little doubt that good things could be on the horizon.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]Â*
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[West]

The article:

Infiniti ponders expansion
Brand considers adding small car, high-end coupe, people mover

Lindsay Chappell
Automotive News
August 27, 2007 - 12:01 am EST


PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- As it mulls expanding the Infiniti line, Nissan Motor Co. is considering a car smaller than the brand's best-selling G -- and smaller engines to power it.

Infiniti's smallest engine is a 3.5-liter V-6, but the company now sees merit in a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

"We're starting to investigate an expansion of the brand," said Nissan's global design chief, Shiro Nakamura, at a press event here. "These are just ideas we are thinking about."

Also under consideration: a high-end coupe or convertible to be Infiniti's equivalent to the Nissan GT-R, the Nissan brand's halo sports car due in 2008. Some planners say the raw power of the 500-hp GT-R isn't suited to Infiniti's refined image. But there still is interest in the segment.

Another possibility is what Nakamura calls an Infiniti "people mover" -- a vehicle different from a minivan and SUV, but one that doesn't crowd Infiniti's FX crossover or the EX crossover that goes on sale in December.

The product ruminations are noteworthy because they reveal Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn's zeal for Infiniti. Two years ago, the brand languished without new products. The pipelines are now open, with a redesigned G37 coupe emerging recently, the EX en route and a promise from company officials for a new product every year for an undetermined period.

And Ghosn is taking the U.S.-based Infiniti global, rolling out market launches in China, Europe, Japan, Korea and Russia.

Selling to a global market means bigger economies of scale for Infiniti models, says Larry Dominique, North American product planning vice president for Nissan and Infiniti.

Says Dominique: "That makes more things possible for us."

[exitspeed]

I was going to post this, but figured the bot would.

This make me REALLY EXCITED! Sounds like there could be a Nissan AND Infinity version of the new Coupe!

Makes me wanna cry a happy tear.

[Andrew @ 240sxMotoring]

High end sports coupe? Sounds like the new GTR with an Infiniti badge.