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Report: Infiniti Working On New Front-Wheel Drive Coupe

 
8 3,270 views Jul 5, 2010
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The growing push towards smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles is leading the charge for changing consumer perceptions of what defines a luxury car--with size no longer the differentiator but rather technology, quality and design. Nowhere is this more the case than in Europe where Infiniti is reportedly planning a new front-wheel drive coupe with hatchback practicality to compete with the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series.

Front-wheel drive cars, no matter how well-engineered, are always a compromise when it comes to being fast. They do enjoy some advantages in terms of packaging and efficiency, but sending power through the wheels doing the steering has obvious shortcomings. Despite the drawbacks, Infiniti believes there is a market for them.

While popular models like the G and M sedans will remain rear-wheel drive, Autocar is reporting that a new entry-level front-wheel drive Infiniti is in the works and could even spawn a family vehicles all based on the same platform. Styling for the car is expected to be derived from last year’s stunning Essence concept.

With Lexus revealing a new small car in form of the CT 200h and Mercedes-Benz successfully selling its A- and B-Class models overseas, there's a very strong chance Infiniti might launch something along the same lines.

It wouldn't be the first time Infiniti has sold a front-wheel drive vehicle. The I35 sedan was the last front-wheel drive model Infiniti sold before the brand switched its policy to offering only rear-wheel drive models in an effort to raise its status against rivals like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Further down the track Infiniti will also launch a new all-electric car based on the same platform as the Nissan Leaf. Not much is known about the car but it will be a global model, which means it will be coming to North American showrooms. A concept version is said to have been already developed.

[Autocar]





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Comments (8)

  1. By Beelzebub Posted: 1/25/2010 5:48am PST

    Good for them. The FWD TL, TSX, ES & RX lead sales for their respective makers & it is about time Infinti tried it again. Not everyone cares what wheels get the power ... there are obviously sales that they have been missing out on.
     
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  2. By bepsf Posted: 1/25/2010 9:28am PST

    IMO, Bad Idea.
    The G20 and I35 weren't exactly sales successes...
    If you want FWD, there's already Nissan.
     
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  3. By Razer Posted: 1/25/2010 9:44am PST

    My concern is that the people who don't care about drivetrain orientation will continue to buy Lexus/Acura and Infiniti will only alienate the large portion of their customer base that DOES care about RWD/AWD...
     
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  4. By R2Dad Posted: 1/25/2010 10:25am PST

    The problem is Infiniti is trying to raise their "status against rivals like BMW and Mercedes-Benz", but their management compares itself to Japanese rivals. Seems to me they don't have the confidence of their own convictions. Their management is continually looking over their shoulder to see what Toyota is doing. This has also been BMW's problem, chasing MBZ styling, lineup and mojo. Caution is required here, since automakers have flailed in this segment: look what the X-type did for Jaguar, the I for Infiniti, the Cimarron for Cadillac, Sterling for Rover, Merkur for Ford. So, decide what your brand stands for and stick to it. A performance layout (RWD) conflicts with the front wheel drive entry level sedan market. There are three options: live with it, offer an uncompetitive/unprofitable model, or offer a risky new configuration, maybe an all electric 4WD as a snow country alternative to the Tesla model S. "Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content"
    - Sun Tzu
     
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  5. By jackattack Posted: 2/3/2010 12:02am PST

    Terrible decision...unless the car is a subcompact for which it will be suitable and necessary.
    Acura sells successfully because they they are Honda/Acura and the pinnacle of reliability in peoples minds...not because they are FWD.
    Infiniti moving to FWD will only be able to offer cheaper cars in hope of greater sales but will definitely tarnish it's repo by making large FWD sedans.
    IMO Infiniti should concentrate on compact 2.5 liter RWDs and trendy sub-compact FWDs.
     
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  6. By  HyundaiSmoke Posted: 7/5/2010 6:24am PDT

    Somebody is scared of Hyundai growing up from below!!
    Nan, Nah, Nah, na, Nan!!! :D sticks out tounge.
     
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  7. By  HyundaiSmoke Posted: 7/5/2010 6:33am PDT

    Before you guys Jump on me I want to to remember this. La Crosse, Infiniti G, and Genesis are the 3 top selling F segment luxury products in America right now.
    Infiniti is smart enough to see that if they can do a HUGE car like Genesis for just $32K to start, and if Hyundai can do a Sonata like that for $25K, well... They can do a small car like Accent in that manner for $15K or even less. They are Hyundai, they have a cost advantage because their system is so lean its wow!!!
    Hyundai will force those who have been scared to do FWD small permium cars to bring them over to America. MINI was the First, Hyundai will democratize the Segment in price.
     
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  8. fb_1418622783 avatar Matt Frawley Posted: 7/5/2010 8:32am PDT

    I am sick and tired about new FWD layout for Infiniti. I think Nissan Silvia is sports compact car with RWD.
     
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