Direct-injected VQ engines coming from Infiniti, Q45 successor on the ropes?
According to Car and Driver, Infiniti is readying a direct-injection system for its 3.7-liter V6 and plans to implement it on the refreshed G37 coupe and sedan before the redesigned G arrives in the next three years. A variant of the twin-turbocharged, 3.7-liter direct-injected V6 originally shown in the Essence concept will likely appear in the redesigned M – due in 2010 – and will reportedly put out between 340 and 350 horsepower, but it will not be fitted with the duo of turbos.
While Infiniti recognizes that it could use a successor to the Q45 (the company's slow-selling full-size sedan last roamed U.S. showrooms in 2006) to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, the project may be stifled by the floundering economy. Infiniti dealers were evidently shown a concept in Japan earlier this year, assumed to be the next Q, which was essentially a four-door version of the Essence concept that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show. At this point, its future is uncertain.
Larry Dominique, Infiniti's veep of product planning in the U.S., wants to make sure that the automaker's resources are focused on its core products – namely the G and M series – but admitted that a QX56 replacement is in the works and will likely debut after 2010 once the redesigned Armada is released.
[Source: Car and Driver]
