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Although the automaker calls the current version of the Infiniti QX50 new, but in appearance it is the same car, with the only difference being that it has changed the shape of the grille and bumpers, and the running lights have become diode. In addition, turn signal repeaters appeared in the mirrors, and two exhaust pipes adorned the stern.
Restyling or update?
Those who are looking for radical innovations in Infiniti models should pay attention to such a novelty as, and the QX50 has so far remained the custodian of the traditions of its brand.
Inside, there are even fewer changes. The palette of offered finishing colors has slightly expanded - brown has been added to the previously available ones. Also, a clothes hanger appeared on the headrest of the driver's seat, and the driver will receive a dark steering wheel braid. Too few changes to speak of a deep update.
Clearance Infiniti QX50
But Infiniti engineers drew attention to the main shortcomings of the previous QX50, which were light ground clearance and a cramped rear sofa. The modified suspension is designed to solve the first problem, thanks to which the ground clearance has increased to 165 mm. There is an increase, but it is small - just a modest 18 mm.
The second problem was solved more radically. An insert was added to the rear of the body, after which the rear of the cabin became slightly longer. The wheelbase of the new Infiniti QX50 has grown by 80 mm, and the increase in rear passenger legroom was 93 mm.
Understanding what it is or updating a car, the most important thing to say is that most often this is an attempt by an automaker to pass off an old product as a new one by slightly changing the packaging. However, in the case of the new Infiniti QX50, the situation is completely different, since the packaging has changed slightly, with a significant change in the content of the car.
In particular, the range of engines has changed. Or rather, it has shrunk. More precisely, there was only one engine left: a 2.5-liter, good old aspirated 222 hp. If you give full throttle, then acceleration "to hundreds" with such an engine will take 9.5 seconds. This is not the most brilliant indicator for Infiniti. Meanwhile, Infiniti owners expect from this brand, first of all, dynamics, as well as rich equipment and impressive appearance.
Specifications of the new Infiniti QX50
- Length: 4745 mm;
- Width: 1800mm;
- Height: 1615 mm;
- Engine: atmospheric, 2.5 liters;
- Engine power: 222 hp;
- Torque: 250 Nm;
- Acceleration to 100 km/h: 9.5 sec.;
- Wheelbase: 2880 mm;
- Ground clearance: 165 mm;
- Price: from 2,479,000 rubles.
Dynamics is not good here. The Infiniti QX50 platform is a classic rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive. During normal driving on dry pavement, all 100% of the moment is transferred to the rear axle. If you try to aggressively enter turns or a situation occurs when the wheels allow slipping or slipping, the moment is partially, and up to 47%, transferred to the front axle, and the remaining 53% turn the rear wheels. That is, the torque is divided in a ratio quite close to "50 to 50".
On the asphalt, the new Infiniti QX50 behaves like a classic crossover. It is a little rolly, tumbles into corners and, in general, when you try to actively maneuver around troubles on the road, you get the feeling of the buildup of the entire body. Such unstable behavior is somewhat puzzling.
Main test
To tell the truth, before the increase in ground clearance, the idea of driving the new Infiniti QX50 on bad dirt roads would have seemed unacceptable, but now you can try it. Surprisingly, the suspension does not like asphalt bumps, small frequent bumps. But on such a road, which is one continuous bump, the suspension works it out quite elastically.
Of course, this is not an SUV. It's not even a crossover in the off-road sense of the word. But if a vital necessity forces you to move off the asphalt onto the ground, then the new QX50 with its new ground clearance allows you to do just that.
A 360-degree all-round view system with the ability to select the type of picture helps to overcome places of extreme complexity. We note in passing that it was the Infiniti QX50, when this model was still called EX, that became the first car in the world to be equipped with a surround view system.
Not quite clear car
All the same, the new Infiniti QX50 is not quite a crossover, for this its parameters are not enough. Moreover, it is not a family car, since it has practically no trunk. With all this, it costs decently, almost 2.5 million rubles. True, now Infiniti engineers have added space on the back sofa and increased ground clearance. Theoretically, along with the increased ground clearance, car sales in Russia should also increase. However, 10% of global sales of this car already accounted for Russian buyers.
Video review Infiniti QX50
The change of generations for the Infiniti QX50 2018 new has benefited. The car received pleasant updates not only in the engine compartment, interior but also in appearance. Spy photos have become irrelevant, since the model was already exhibited at the Los Angeles auto show at the end of 2017. Now its exterior does not resemble a classic five-door hatchback, and on the outside the new body has received the format of a full-fledged mid-size crossover.
The designers have moved everything to a front-wheel drive slightly shortened "trolley" of modern design, similar to those used in larger brothers in the brand, such as Murano or Pathfinder. The best in the world (without underestimation) two-liter gasoline engine appeared in the engine compartment. The ground clearance has grown, hinting at the possibility of using the new crossover outside the comfortable asphalt pavement.
Appearance Infiniti QX50 second generation
The new platform involved corrected the proportions of the 2018 novelty, as seen in the photo. From its predecessor, the new model has lost 51 mm in length and 80 mm in the wheelbase. But it has spread in width by as much as 102 mm and has grown by 64 mm. As a result, Infiniti KUH 50 received the following values in the metric: 4693x1903x1679 mm, and the center wheel distance turned out to be exactly 2.8 m. The ground clearance reaches 21.8 cm.
Ground clearance of 218 mm provides good crossover performance, up to cross-country driving
The price of the "ku x fiftieth" has been formed so far only for North American admirers of Japanese elite SUVs and reaches 35 thousand dollars, which is approximately the equivalent of 2.5 million rubles. Overseas motorists will be able to purchase the 2018 Infiniti QX50 starting from the first quarter, and for domestic drivers, car dealerships will open their doors no earlier than the third quarter.
In appearance, the production model received a sufficient resemblance to the concept of the same name that preceded it. The muscular appearance is expressed in prominently sculpted forms that continue the style of all the latest models of the premium brand. The predatory squint of the front optics is complemented by xenon lamps that cut through the night track. The fine-mesh radiator grille is framed by a chrome-plated curved trapezoid.
Charismatic ribs on the hood and stylish side stampings help to stand out from the crowd in traffic. The optics are supplemented with LED elements, and the front bumper - with broken aerodynamic planes.
Side stamping, a broken bumper, stylish design of optics - the designers have worked notably on the second generation.
The new Infiniti QX50 2018 will not be able to get lost against the background of its eminent competitors, which include such models:
- Audi Q5;
- BMW X3;
- Mercedes GLC;
- Lexus NX.
To some extent, in terms of its parameters, the Japanese development will even outshine European SUVs.
The side view shows a sloping roof with a shark fin antenna. The profile looks very dynamic, which is not hindered by large cutouts for arches.
The entire body has been completely redesigned. Heavy-duty steel grades with an increased yield coefficient, the value of which reaches 980 MPa, were used for it. From the first generation is distinguished by a 23% increase in torsional rigidity. The weight of the body without attachments is only 419 kg.
The body is made of alloy steel, which increased the strength of the car in frontal and side collisions.
The car has improved aerodynamic properties. The manufacturer shod the new generation in 235/55 R19 or 255/45R20 tires on alloy wheels. At the same time, the rollers have a puncture-free “run flat” technology that allows you not to think about minor troubles. The driver will be able to drive up to 150 km on punctured wheels, which made it possible to get rid of the spare wheel in the cabin.
From the back, everything is also harmonious, including a embossed door with a chrome arc connecting the narrow rear lights. In the lower part, two chrome-plated trapezoid overhead pipes of the exhaust system are spaced apart, located against the background of a protective lining.
VIDEO: 2018 Infiniti QX50 Review
Salon premium crossover
The interior of the 2018 Infiniti QX50 is presented in a luxurious and stylish way. Pedigree is felt in all elements of decoration.
In addition to aluminum and wood, leather of several varieties and textures is used, which can be found in such areas:
- door cards;
- front and rear seats;
- multifunction steering wheel;
- speed switch;
- armrests;
- torpedo top.
The driver in a cress with lateral support provided at the highest level is able to control multimedia functionality from a three-spoke steering wheel, behind which is a dashboard with analog scales and an on-board system display.
Dashboard
original armrest
The rich center console is royally rewarded with a pair of large touch monitors:
- the eight-inch top display is responsible for car settings and demonstrates navigation;
- a seven-inch bottom panel is used to adjust the climatic parameters and control multimedia.
The third monitor is a 9-inch projection screen. It displays information on the windshield. The luxurious wide central tunnel is the owner of an automatic transmission switch, a start / stop button for starting the engine, and a multimedia menu scrolling washer.
The front seats are richly equipped:
- electric adjustments in several directions;
- heating in several modes;
- ventilation for the summer.
A nice bonus is the presence of a winter package in the form of a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The rear tailgate is also electrically driven, and a high-quality view is provided by such a set:
- a roof with a panoramic view;
- all-round cameras.
The total space inside compared to the previous generation of the new one has increased markedly. The rear sofa can now be moved on a skid along the axis of the body. When the second row is moved to the maximum from the front backs, then 983 mm of free space appears.
At the back there is a folding armrest, a pair of sockets, side curtains and personal air deflectors. The luggage compartment will fit 895 liters of payloads, if everything is stacked up to the ceiling. By moving the second row as far forward as possible, it will be possible to get a van with 1048 liters of space.
Specifications of the new Infiniti QX50
By signing up for a test drive with official representatives of the company, you can try all the delights of driving the Infiniti Ku X 50. The main advantage of the new model is its four-cylinder engine - 2.0 liter VC-Turbo (VC-T (Variable Compression Turbo).
It is the first on a production car to have the ability to vary the compression ratio. The value varies from 8:1 to 14:1.
Keeping the concept of a compact and very powerful crossover, the future QX50 aims at the segment of expensive versions of the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5
The highest power level is 268 hp, and the maximum torque is 380 Nm at 440 rpm. With such indicators, the power plant remains very economical. When compared with the first generation, consumption fell by a third. The front-wheel drive crossover reaches 100 km / h after 6.7 seconds after the start. The all-wheel drive version of the SUV requires only 6.3 s for such an operation. The transmission has an XTronic CVT variator.
Like most of its Nissan cars, the company has equipped the premium model with the ProPILOT system. It allows the car to stay in the selected lane on its own, accelerating or braking without the help of the driver.
Similar to other new Nissan models, the 2018 Infiniti QX50 is equipped with semi-autonomous ProPILOT technology that can control motion control.
The basic steering is endowed with an adaptive electric power steering. An optional Direct Adaptive Steering option is also available, where commands are given to the wheels without mechanical gears, only through wires.
VIDEO: New 2019 Concept Unveiled at LA Auto Show
Price: n. e. On sale: since mid 2018
In Los Angeles, where we flew in for a test drive, it is sunny, plus 25 Celsius and 5 pm. At this time in Moscow there is snow, minus 13 degrees and 4 o'clock in the morning. Struggling with acclimatization and sleep in every possible way, I am trying to concentrate on a press conference dedicated to the generation-changing QX50. Global Product Director Nicholas Chan devotes most of his speech to the design of the car, which is not surprising. The appearance of the old QX50 (ex35 in the past) caused a lot of questions for me and my colleagues in the workshop: bulky, disproportionate, with low ground clearance ... A sort of hatchback that ate burgers with bacon after six in the evening.
The fifth door opens with a wave of the foot, but can only be closed with a button.
The new QX50 is radically different: elegant against the background of its predecessor, harmonious and interesting against the background of its main competitors in the face of the angular Lexus RX and the unremarkable Audi Q5. Fully LED optics with branded "ice cubes" in front, moderately massive radiator grille, sharp wavy folds on the hood, smoothly flowing into a deep waist line. She, by the way, is a subject of special pride: a 30-degree bend and deep recesses behind the door handles are one of the most complex textures in the automotive industry, which is produced by deep molding. The ground clearance, which has grown from 165 to 218 mm, completes the image.
With the change of generation, the Fifty moved to a completely new modular platform designed for front- and all-wheel drive models with McPherson struts at the front and an independent multi-link at the rear. According to unofficial data, people from Mercedes-Benz even had a hand in its development. Let me remind you that the predecessor was based on a rear-wheel drive "cart". The torsional rigidity of the body has increased by 23%, mainly due to the use of high-strength steel. Aluminum was used in the production of body panels.
The only element of the body that has not changed with the change of generation is the side mirrors.
You feel a positive result from the change in architecture as soon as you find yourself in the cabin: the car has become much more spacious, despite the fact that the length and wheelbase have decreased by 54 and 81 mm, respectively. The height from the seats to the roof has increased, the legroom for the rear passengers has increased, the interior has become wider at the level of the shoulders and hips.
Mechanical sunblinds are integrated into the rear doors.
In practice, this means that without any problems I was placed on the back sofa, which moves on a “sled”, having previously adjusted the chair in front to fit my 187 centimeters of height. There is nothing to say about large leather front seats with pronounced lateral support and ventilation: a little fraud with electrical adjustments, and you can go on a run. In the versions that will be sold in Russia, they promise a winter package: heated seats, steering wheel and windshield heating.
The trunk now holds 880-1048 liters when loaded under the roof, depending on the position of the rear seats. With the second row folded to the floor - 1823 liters. But this is for modifications shod in 20-inch run-flat 255/45. Cars with 235 / 55R19 tires will be entitled to a stowaway that will eat a small part of the trunk, but how much has not yet been reported.
The interior design is its own, with an abundance of high-quality fitted leather and suede. Salon can be ordered in black or beige. If you're looking for something a little more exotic, there's the top-of-the-line Autograph version: diamond-patterned chairs, light beige leather with white stitching contrasting with brown leather and blue suede accents. Looks expensive but...
But then the eye stumbles upon the plastic "Nissan" windows keys and steering column switches. It seems nothing terrible, but the overall impression is slightly spoiled. However, even with their presence, the interior of the new crossover no longer leaves an aftertaste that you are sitting in a Nissan, albeit with an Infiniti badge on the steering wheel.
The worst thing about the second-generation QX50 is the two-touchscreen 8-inch and 7-inch touchscreen multimedia stacked on top of the other, which hasn't changed since its debut on the Q50 sedan in 2013. Drawing graphics is weak, responsive to touch, like a brick, and as soon as the sun hits the cabin, the upper display fades. One thing is good, the sensor is duplicated by a "washer" under the driver's right hand in the manner of BMW and Mazda.
Separate complaints about the navigation system: slowdowns and piling up of icons with information on top of the map make you take out your smartphone and turn on Google Maps after 15 minutes. By the way, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not. But there is a cool optional Bose Performance Series audio system with 17 speakers. It was tested in the evening traffic jams of Los Angeles, where even the cops drive with their windows open, throwing their arm up to the elbow ... It's good that without a Colt.
The new Infiniti QX50 has a couple of tricks up its sleeves beyond design. One of them is a two-liter gasoline “four” VC-Turbo with an automatic change in the compression ratio, proving that it is too early to say goodbye to internal combustion engines. When the engine requires more output, for example, during sharp acceleration, the electronics, using a system of levers and rocker arms, by changing the position of the top dead center, reduces the compression ratio to 8:1, and with uniform movement, on the contrary, increases to 14:1 for the sake of a more efficient fuel consumption. In this case, the working volume of the motor varies from 1970 to 1997 cm 3.
The process takes place smoothly and completely unnoticed by the driver and passengers. In addition, the Active Torque Rod (ATR) active vibration reduction system was integrated into the upper engine mount, which made the operation of the motor significantly quieter.
The innovative “turbo four” is not only lighter and more compact than the 2.5-liter V6 that its predecessor was equipped with, but also much more powerful: 272 hp and 380 Nm of torque versus 222 hp and 252 Nm. In addition, the engine is more economical: the declared average fuel consumption is 9 liters per 100 km. In fact, this is exactly what happened. It is difficult to say for sure how reliable the VC-Turbo will be in operation. But the company says that more than 100 prototypes have been tested and a total of about 5 million kilometers have been rolled.
Digests torque variator X-Tronic CVT with imitation of eight steps. The CVT has been significantly upgraded with a new torque converter, an electric oil pump and a control valve block that provides a direct link between pressing the gas pedal and engine response. At first, I was not happy with the electronic transmission selector: too vivid memories of the carelessly tuned counterpart that Maserati uses. But the QX50 dispelled my fears. The gears are switched on clearly, simply and quickly, not to mention the fact that it looks more harmonious in the interior than the fixed “poker” of its predecessor. The plug-in all-wheel drive system with an electromagnetic multi-plate clutch, if necessary, transfers up to 50% of traction to the rear axle.
The QX50 accelerates briskly, with a quiet, rather pleasant rumbling coming into the cabin from the engine compartment. The dynamics are good. The spirit, of course, does not capture, but no one positions the QX50 as a near-sport car. A hundred all-wheel drive crossover is gaining in 6.3 seconds and stops accelerating at 230 km / h. The front wheel drive version is 0.4 seconds slower. But here it is worth noting that these are data on European and American modifications. The QX50 will reach Russia deformed to 250 “horses” tax, and its performance in the sprint is still unknown.
The main thing is that on the way to Russia, the QX50 does not lose its handling. The crossover keeps collected in corners, practically does not heel and does not sway after passing high-speed ligaments. In sport mode, on the serpentines, of which there are plenty in the mountains in the Malibu region, the QX50 makes you want to go for all the money, licking the apexes. Thanks to the perfectly tuned adaptive dampers with valve control. True, tight speed limits and severe fines in the event of a meeting with the police quickly cool the ardor.
At the same time, the suspension does a good job of working out small pits, potholes and cracks. Only the contact of 20-inch “runflats” with sharp joints or carelessly applied patches make their way into the cabin with dull blows. Unfortunately, it was not possible to test the crossover off-road. Everywhere you look, private property.
The drag coefficient decreased by 10% to 0.32.
The electronic adaptive steering system (DAS 2.0), which is equipped with the top versions of the Infiniti QX50, adds comfort in a casually relaxed mode of driving around the city, leveling unpleasant vibrations. But in the sport mode, the steering wheel is artificially overweight, and upon returning to the zero zone, at a certain moment it is sharply empty.
Another trump card of the new QX50 is the Propilot Assist driver assistance system. Using radar and a camera, the electronics can keep a car in a lane, recognize pedestrians, track cars in adjacent lanes, brake in an emergency, maintain a distance, and also pull off after another car after a complete stop. The latter, alas, will not be available in Russian versions.
Prices are only available for the US, but you should not focus on them. The company promises to try to fit the basic versions in the psychological 3 million rubles, and the top ones in 4 million. At the same time, the equipment of the starting versions of Pure for Russia cannot be called poor: plug-in all-wheel drive, all-diode optics, a chip key, multimedia with two touchscreens, a winter package , dual-zone climate control, power tailgate, 19-inch wheels, a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, 8 airbags and, of course, Glonass.
Specifications Infiniti QX50
Dimensions 4691x1903x1676 mm Base 2799 mm Curb weight 1795 kg Clearance 218 mm Trunk volume
I remember very well my first trip on this model - then it was called Infiniti EX, but the essence of this does not change. On the eve of 2008, I had a chance to race on a 3.5‑liter modification along Californian roads - a lot of emotions! Outlandish at that time, the all-round visibility system, the image of a sort of all-terrain coupe and a brisk engine were reconciled with not the most spacious interior, forced to take it for granted. And now, eight years later, Infiniti ... no, it does not launch a new model, but modernizes the old one, which will have to hold its market position until the arrival of a fundamentally new car. The successor is rumored to debut within two years.
Waiting for a miracle
The task is not easy, because such hits as the Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLC have entered the market, and other competitors are younger and have undergone modernization. The Japanese, in fact, only renamed the EX QX50 and changed the 301‑horsepower 3.5‑liter engine to a 330‑horsepower 3.7‑liter. This news is from 2013.
Since then, global demand for the QX50 has not exceeded five thousand cars a year, of which Russia accounted for about seven hundred copies. It should be warmed up by a redesigned car, originally aimed at the Chinese consumer. As you know, the Chinese love elongated versions, and the main problem of the EX is the cramped back row. The stars have aligned: long live the stretch!
On it I happened to ride on the roads of Georgia. The first thing I did was climb into the back seat. Beauty! The wheelbase has been increased by 80 mm, but for the knees of the rear passengers it was possible to carve out as much as 93 mm of additional space - you can cross your legs.
And there is nothing to consider in the driver's seat: there are no changes. The years take their toll, and the interior that once seemed fashionable is no longer delightful. However, to call it old-fashioned is to sin against the truth.
Light at the end of the tunnel
My today's route runs through Georgia from west to east. Roads in the central part of the country make you worry about the suspension. But the QX50 calmly lays on them - no trajectory yaws, no breakdowns. The ground clearance was increased by 18 mm (up to 165 mm), as everyone complained about the clearance almost more than about the tightness in the cabin. So the navigator, who led me a couple of times to unpaved village paths, as if transferred from the Middle Ages, I forgave without difficulty.
The wheelbase has been increased by 80 mm, but for the knees of the rear passengers it was possible to carve out as much as 93 mm of additional space - you can cross your legs.
The moment of disappointment came when the road twisted into the mountains: it seemed that two and a half liters and 222 forces were not enough for confident overtaking. Is the crossover getting heavier? If it did, it is unprincipled: according to the "secret data" that the engineers gave me, the insert is made of aluminum, and therefore its weight is only 11 kg.
The feeling that a more powerful motor once gave is to blame for everything. Alas, the top "six" in Russia was not in demand, and therefore disappeared from the price lists. Against the background of that fast car, the 2.5‑liter version “does not go.”
But do I have the right to scold the engineers for the fact that all the forces went into increasing the wheelbase and ground clearance? After all, this is what we, the buyers, asked them to do.
PLUS: you can now live on the second row!
MINUS: do not expect exploits from a 2.5‑liter engine
