INFINITI QX50 Concept
INFINITI QX50 Concept, Image: Infiniti.

Infiniti is ready to reveal their newest mid-size SUV, the next generation QX50, at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, that is going to take place in Detroit next January.

The company is the luxury brand of Nissan, established in 1989. Infiniti has produced some of the best-selling cars in the market, high-end automobiles, the latest being their G37 compact.

Infiniti’s new SUV serves as the conceptual successor of their 2016 QX Sport Inspiration vehicle, officially unveiled at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show.

The QX50 will stay true to the brand’s ‘Powerful Elegance’ motto, featuring solid internal specs in all departments and a sleek yet bulky design that has drawn mixed reviews so far.

Infiniti’s variable compression ratio engine will be at the heart of the 2017 Infiniti QX50

Infiniti VC-Turbo
Infiniti VC-Turbo, Image: Infiniti.

 

The QX50 uses Infiniti’s Variable Compression 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine, which turned a lot of heads at the 2016 Paris Auto Show. The car’s expected output is 268 horsepower and 390 Nm of torque.

The VC-Turbo is the first production-ready engine of this type in the world. Its design automatically detects driving conditions and adjusts the reach of the pistons to select the most suitable compression mode.

Infiniti has continuously stated their new engine is the best alternative to six-cylinder gasoline motors as it boasts a 27% higher fuel efficiency. The VC engine offers the driver automatic adjustments in power for high-load and cruising situations.

The mid-size SUV will mark Infiniti’s return to front-wheel drive, even though it is a modified version of the front-mid-engine platform found on the brand’s rear-drive G35 and G37 cars.

Infiniti will introduce ProPilot, the company’s driving assistant

Infiniti is also introducing the ProPilot semi-autonomous driver assistant system. The company says that this feature looks to ’empower’ the driver and not ‘replace’ them, only seeking to delegate certain tasks to the auto-pilot.

The company said in a press release that the drive support system will help the driver retain “ultimate control” over the vehicle, while “providing a proactive approach to safety.”

Infiniti’s new autonomous technology will help with duties like highway navigation during heavy traffic and to keep track of surrounding vehicles on the road.

2017 Infiniti QX Estimated Price

Eager car enthusiasts are waiting for the company to tell them more about the car’s interior design, the seats, infotainment system, and transmission, which will most likely be the same as its predecessor.

The former QX50 now starts at $34,450, but the new iteration might experience a price raise because of the VC-Turbo engine.

Source: Infiniti