Infiniti QX

Infiniti QX
Overview
Manufacturer	Infiniti
Production	1996-present 2004-present (QX56) 1996–2003 (QX4)
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door SUV

The Infiniti QX is a luxury SUV built by Nissan's Infiniti division. The first generation received its naming inspiration from the recognized four-wheel-drive terminology "4×4", with Infiniti adding a "Q" at the beginning to suggest it was a luxurious "4×4", borrowed from the Q45. The first generation also had a briefly available Japanese version called the Nissan Terrano Regulus. Consecutive generations are much larger, and the naming convention adheres to the current trend of using a numeric designation derived from the engine's displacement.

First generation series JR50 (1996–2003)

Infiniti QX4
Overview
Manufacturer	Infiniti
Also called	Nissan Terrano Regulus (Japan)
Production	September 1996–2003
Assembly	Kyūshū, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Nissan Pathfinder Nissan Frontier
Powertrain
Engine	VG33E 3.3 L V6 VQ35DE 3.5 L V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length	1997-2000: 4,671 mm (183.9 in) 2001–2003: 4,651 mm (183.1 in)
Width	1,839 mm (72.4 in)
Height	1,796 mm (70.7 in)
Chronology
Successor	Infiniti QX56

The Infiniti QX4 is a mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) introduced in 1996 and based on the unibody Nissan Pathfinder. It was released following Acura's introduction of the SLX and Lexus's larger LX 450. The QX4 was Infiniti's first entry into the SUV market segment.

In the North American market, it was marketed as the "Infiniti QX4" while in Japan it was sold as the Nissan Terrano Regulus. Major differences between these vehicles and the Pathfinder include a more upscale interior, and unique styling. Although marketed as a luxury vehicle, it has good off-road capability due to its low-range four-wheel-drive system and 8.3 inches (211 mm) of ground clearance.

Year-to-year changes

2001 Nissan Terrano Regulus (JDM)

The QX4 received its first major update in 2000, with a new VQ series engine (also later seen in the G35 and FX35) increasing its power from a relatively low 168 horsepower (125 kW) to a 240 hp (179 kW) V6 engine. The displacement went from 3.3 L to 3.5 L. The timing belt was replaced with a timing chain and the ignition distributor was replaced with an individual coil ignition system.

This facelift also gave the QX4 an updated exterior and interior body style, including features such as a new dash with integrated analog clock, 17-inch (423 mm) alloy wheels and xenon HID headlamps. In Japan, the Terrano Regulus trim package was no longer offered. Also, a rear-wheel drive model was added (1997 through 2000 were only available in 4WD).

2002 Infiniti QX: Cruise control designed to maintain a set distance from other traffic was the main addition for 2002. The QX4 shared Nissan's Intelligent Cruise Control with Infiniti's flagship Q45 sedan. Employing laser sensors, the system was designed to automatically speed or slow the QX4 to keep it a constant distance from cars ahead. Also new for 2002 was a revised audio system, plus audio controls for the available leather/wood steering wheel. The optional rear-seat video entertainment system offered a choice of VCR or DVD player.

2003 Infiniti QX: Additional standard equipment for 2003 included curtain-type side airbags, available for the first time. Several new standard features had previously been part of the Premium Package, including 17-inch wheels, a driver-seat memory system, and a leather/woodgrain steering wheel with audio controls. Options included heated front/rear seats and a videotape or DVD rear-seat entertainment system, as well as a power moonroof.

As of model year 2002, the Regulus was no longer available in Japan.^{[citation needed]}

The QX4 was discontinued in 2003, and its position in price was taken by the FX35/45 crossover SUV. The last QX4 was manufactured during November 2002. ^{[citation needed]} The QX4 was succeeded by the larger QX56 in 2004.

Second generation series JA60 (2004–2010)

Infiniti QX56
Overview
Manufacturer	Infiniti
Production	January 2004–March 2010
Assembly	Canton, Mississippi, United States
Designer	Masato Takahashi (2002)
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Nissan F-Alpha platform
Related	Nissan Titan Nissan Armada Nissan Frontier Nissan Xterra
Powertrain
Engine	5.6 L V8 VK56DE
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,129 mm (123.2 in)
Length	5,255 mm (206.9 in)
Width	2008–2010: 2,019 mm (79.5 in) 2004–2007: 2,002 mm (78.8 in)
Height	2005–2010 2WD: 1,956 mm (77.0 in) 2004 & 2008–2010 4WD: 1,999 mm (78.7 in) 2005–2007 4WD: 1,976 mm (77.8 in)
Curb weight	2,539 kg (5,597 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Infiniti QX4

The Infiniti QX56 is a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) sold under the Nissan-owned Infiniti luxury brand. It is based on the Nissan Armada full-size SUV, and shares the F-Alpha platform with the Nissan Titan pickup truck. The QX56 was unique to the United States, Canada, Russia, OMAN, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia only. It was also the first Infiniti built in the United States.

The rear door handles were installed on the "C" pillar as a Nissan design tradition started with the 1986 Nissan Pathfinder. When the four-door Nissan Pathfinder was introduced, Nissan chose to conceal the door handles as a part of the "C" pillar trim to visually make it appear like a two-door truck with a camper shell, with conventional door handles on the front doors.

The truck was propelled by a 5.6 L VK56DE V8 engine (320 hp [227 kW] @ 4,900 rpm and 390 lb·ft (529 N·m) torque @ 3,600 rpm) and a 5-speed automatic transmission with an overdrive. As is common with aluminum blocks, each cylinder in the engine is lined with cast iron. The valvetrain is a DOHC design with four valves per cylinder. Infiniti designed the QX56's throttle responsiveness to correspond to specific drivetrain modes: when the driver selects all-wheel drive, the throttle becomes less sensitive, presumably to allow easier regulation of acceleration when off-road.

The Infiniti QX56 has around 9,000 lb (4082 kg) of towing capacity. Mileage at peak performance drain is 12 miles per US gallon (20 L/100 km; 14 mpg_-imp). It comes in one trim level, with only key options such as: DVD entertainment system, 4WD/2WD, and a bench instead of captain chairs as the second row. Other features which come standard are a ten-speaker Bose system, DVD-based navigation system, leather trim for all seats, dual-climate control, 18-inch chrome alloy wheels, and an adaptive cruise control system. A Precrash system is a novelty in the market as well.

Since the demise of the Q45 (which was priced above the QX56) after 2006, the QX56 is the most expensive Infiniti sold in North America, and is Infiniti's only full-size vehicle. In early 2007 for the 2008 model year, the Infiniti QX56 received a minor facelift which included a revised grille, more standard equipment and standard 20-inch chrome wheels. Introduced at the 2007 NAIAS in January 2007, the facelifted model went on sale in April 2007.

In 2008 the QX56 received updates to the braking system. For 2009 the QX56 received auto locking doors and deep garnet metallic was added as a new color. For 2010 the MSRP was increased by $1000, 4WD versions now cost $60,000 and some colors were deleted.

Although the Armada continues to be produced in the United States for the 2011 model year, the 2010 model year would be the last year that the QX56 and Armada would share the same platform.

Third generation (2010–present)

Infiniti QX56
Overview
Manufacturer	Infiniti
Also called	Nissan Patrol Y62
Production	April 2010-present
Assembly	Yukuhashi, Japan (Nissan Shatai Kyushu Plant)
Designer	Shinya Momokawa, Akihiro Sugita (2007)[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size Luxury SUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	TBA
Related	Nissan Patrol Y62
Powertrain
Engine	5.6L V8 32-valve VVEL(VK56VD)
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3075 mm (121.1 inches)
Length	5290 mm (208.3 inches)
Width	2047 mm (80.6 inches)
Height	1940 mm (75.6 inches)
Curb weight	2,785 kg (6,140 lb)

On March 31, 2010, Infiniti debuted the 2011 QX56 at the New York International Auto Show. No longer sharing a platform with the Nissan Armada, the QX56 is now a luxury version of the Nissan Patrol, which also marks the first time that a Patrol-based vehicle is being sold in North America. The QX56 features a new 5.6L VK56VD V8 engine with direct injection and VVEL variable valve timing, also found in the Nissan Patrol, which is rated at 400 horsepower (300 kW) and 413 lb·ft (560 N·m) of torque. The more powerful engine helps give the QX an increased towing capacity of up to 8,500 pounds. The engine is tied to a seven-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission with an all-new 4WD system.

Compared to its predecessor, the new QX is 1.4 inches longer, 1.1 inches wider. Most of the frame's body mass is made from high-tensile steel, but the QX manages to be more rugged with its body-on-frame concept and it shares the same platform as the Nissan Patrol. Both the front and rear feature independent suspension double wishbone suspensions combined with the new Hydraulic Body Motion Control System. The QX comes standard with 22-inch wheels. 4WD versions have a 4-setting terrain control which include rock, snow, sand and dirt modes. This generation abandoned the disguised rear door handles that were installed in the "C" pillar, a tradition started with the 1985 Nissan Pathfinder 4-door, as the first generation QX was based on the second generation Pathfinder. This generation's appearance is more in line with other large luxury SUVs like the Lexus LX, Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade, and Lincoln Navigator.

The QX's interior design includes a number of the standard and optional luxury features in the 2010 Infiniti M, such as semi-aniline leather seats, tri-zone climate control, a Bose 2-channel, 13-speaker Premium Audio surround sound stereo system with hard drive memory storage, hard-drive based navigation system, XM satellite radio with NavTraffic is standard, a power liftgate/tailgate, and Infiniti Intuitive Park Assist, a parking assist feature which uses the around view monitor. Other features include climate-controlled front and rear seats, streaming audio via Bluetooth wireless technology, a center console, power sliding rear seats, power third row seats, and a 7-inch DVD rear-seat entertainment system. Curtain Vent, new for this generation, directs air flow from the air conditioning system from above each side window down towards the floor. A new Around View Monitor system uses a camera mounted on the grill, giving a 180-degree view in front, and another camera mounted on the passenger side of the vehicle's side mirror helps eliminate blind spots on the side at low speeds, such as when in parking lots or on off-road adventures.

The QX also features the updated Infiniti hard drive based navigation system with an 8-inch high-resolution VGA display. Infiniti keyless SmartAccess with an "Intelligent Remote" key is standard along with 8 airbags including knee airbags for driver and front passenger as well as second-row side torso airbags, the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) is standard, while the Pre-Collision System (PCS),Vehicle Dynamic Control (Electronic stability control) systems and Lane Departure Warning System are available options.

As of 2013, the Infiniti QX is available in the United States(including all US territories), Canada, Mexico, China (including Macau, and excluding Taiwan), and the Middle East in LHD only

For the 2014 model year, Infiniti has taken steps to rename their entire product line. As a result, the QX56 is rebadged as QX80.

Cross-promotion

The 2011 QX56 was featured in a series of cross-promotion commercials for the NBC sitcom Community, dubbed "A 'Community' Moment", which had series star Joel McHale driving the cast around Los Angeles. The promos aired during NBC's telecast of the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards on August 29, 2010, which was co-sponsored by Infiniti..

Sales have been successful, with the new QX56 outselling Infiniti's other SUVs, the crossovers EX and FX, as well as its Japanese full-size body-on-frame rival Lexus LX.^[2]

References

1. ↑ http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/D622633.html
2. ↑

• "2004 Infiniti QX56", an article on page 52 of the March 2004 issue of Motor Trend
• 2008 Nissan Armada SE 4×2 Technical Specs

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Infiniti QX.

• Official Infiniti USA site
• Official Infiniti USA QX56 homepage
• (Japanese) Terrano Regulus official site
• http://www.infiniti.com/qx/