Adeyaka Magazine (Infiniti): Quest for Inspiration

New Skyline Coupe / Infiniti G Coupe coming in 2012

A while back, Autocar reported that the new Nissan Skyline (earlier post), aka Infiniti G, has already been shown to the management. Now, a Japanse magazine has published the rendering shown, claiming that a hybrid version will be available, along with diesel engines supplied by Mercedes-Benz.

The new model is expected to launched either at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, or at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show.

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Infiniti EX (EUDM) to get blind spot warning system

Infiniti's sporting coupe crossover, the EX (aka Nissan Skyline Crossover), is getting a new Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system for 2011. This safety feature, which uses both audible and visual signals to alert the driver for an adjacent vehicle in the blind spot area, is a very helpful safety system and it will be fitted as standard to the top-selling EX GT Premium versions of both V6 petrol and V6 diesel models.

Well, it is not a new technology since Volvo offers it the last few years, but having owned a Volvo with BLIS (this is how Volvo calls it), I have to admit that it's an impressive safety feature and extremely useful for motorcycles approaching the car.

In the case of the EX, each time a vehicle enters the blind spot area, amber lights at the base of the door mirrors start to blink. If the driver activates the indicator, showing an intention to change lanes, the lights are supplemented by a warning sound – further indication of a potentially dangerous situation.

Blind Spot Warning is not the only innovative technology, as EX is offered with other intelligent systems such as Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Brake Assist, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Prevention.

Infiniti EV sedan coming in 2013

Infiniti is already working on a compact model (earlier post) and also, on an EV sedan. The latter is sceduled to go on sale in 2013. 

According to managing director Shiro Nakamura, the sketch shown above is a very good indication of what to expect to see on the streets. The final design is going to be decided in the middle of 2011.

[Source: Response]

New Infiniti G / Skyline (スカイライン) shown to management

The new Nissan Skyline (earlier post), aka Infiniti G, has been already shown to the management according to Autocar's sources. The car is said to feature a “dramatic” use of LED strip lights at its front end and a near production-ready concept could be revealed at the 2011 Tokyo motor show or 2012 Detroit motor show, ahead of its 2012 production date.

Infiniti M35h (Fuga Hybrid) with standard VSP tech in Europe

The Infiniti M35h (earlier post), aka Nissan Fuga Hybrid in Japan - 日産フーガ ハイブリッド, will become the world's first hybrid to feature an audible pedestrian warning system as standard when it goes on sale in six months’ time in Europe. 

"The new Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system – is computer controlled and links an in-car sound synthesiser with a speaker built in to the front bumper. It automatically works from start-up to 30 km/h, cutting back in at 25 km/h as the vehicle slows.

Instead of just a single tone, a range of high-low sounds at different volume levels was chosen after an extensive research programme to find the most effective, but least intrusive, noise. The team developing the system in Infiniti’s parent group worked with cognitive and acoustic psychologists studying areas from pedestrian behavioural patterns to noise pollution.
The result is a sine-wave sound that extends from 2.5kHz at the high end to a low of 600Hz. It is a range readily audible to all age groups while avoiding a sound range (around 1,000Hz) that would add unnecessary noise to the environment.

The noise sweeps from high to low frequency depending on vehicle speed and whether the M35h is accelerating or decelerating. It is loudest at start-up to give a clear indication the vehicle is beginning to move off, while an intermittent tone is used when reversing – both sounds calculated to ensure the M35h cannot surprise pedestrians and the visually impaired as it approaches.

Although the M35h can travel at speeds of around 80 km/h on engine noise-free electric power alone, road noise past 30 km/h means the M35h generates sufficient sound for the Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians to remain off. An extensive testing programme during the hybrid’s development showed that, in mixed driving conditions, the M35h was able to drive in electric-only mode for as much as 50% of the time.

Unlike other manufacturers and in keeping with Infiniti’s generous standard features policy across all its models, Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians will come ready installed on every M35h in Europe when sales commence from spring 2011 (depending on country). Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians joins a host of innovative safety systems available on the M35h including the Dynamic Safety Shield, standard on Premium versions."

Infiniti announces LE collector’s "Essence Sculpture"

I guess you remember the stunning Infiniti prototype called Essence. Well, the actual car is not going into production, at least at the moment, but Infiniti has announced that a Limited Edition collector’s “Essence Sculpture” will do so. Made from solid resin, penned by the vehicle’s original Infiniti designer, and supervised by Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Shiro Nakamura, the beautiful ornaments will be restricted to 300 individually numbered units worldwide.

And there is more...  Louis Vuitton craftsmen have designed an original Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite design case to serve as a high quality, transport and presentation case for the first Essence Sculpture that will be on display at the global Headquarters of Infiniti in Japan!

Infiniti working on compact model

According to Autocar, Infiniti's compact car project is well under way and it will previewed as a concept at the upcoming Geneva motor show. The car could then be revealed in production form next autumn, at either the Frankfurt or Tokyo motor show.

It’s likely to be based on a front-drive platform sourced from the next-gen A-class as part of a tie-up between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan alliance. A model like that is essential for Infiniti's lineup in order to boost sales in Europe.

Infiniti will also get a fully electric model based on the Nissan Leaf. The car will be launched in 2013 and it will come to the U.S. market.

Minor updates for Nissan Skyline Coupe and Crossover

Nissan has updated in Japan the Skyline Coupe (aka Infiniti G Coupe) and the Skyline Crossover (aka Infiniti EX). The changes are minor and for the Skyline Coupe (earlier post) include a different front bumper, with a sportier design, and a new alloy wheel design. Also, two new colours have been added, a shining blue (シャイニングブルー) and a dark metal grey (ダークメタルグレー), with the total number of available exterior colours now being seven.

In terms of the updates for the Skyline Crossover, those are limited only to the exterior colour selection, where the dark metal grey has been added and also, a ceramic blue (セラミックブルー) and a framboise red (フランボワーズレッド) are also available. The total number of exterior colours has now gone up to six.

New Infiniti G (Skyline) Coupe coming...!

If you think that Japanese automakers are only focused on green cars, then think again. The Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) will expand and one of the first steps will be the introduction of the new Infiniti G Coupe (known as Skyline Coupe in Japan).

[Source: Best Car magazine]

Nissan releases new Fuga Hybrid in Japan

Nissan announced today the launch of the new Nissan Fuga Hybrid (known as Infiniti M35h outside Japan), which goes on sale November 2nd at Nissan dealers nationwide in Japan.

The new Fuga Hybrid adopts Nissan's original one-motor two-clutch parallel hybrid system named 'Intelligent Dual Clutch Control', connecting the high-response electric motor and the 3.5-liter VQ35HR V6 engine directly to the transmission, without the use of a traditional torque converter. One of the two clutches completely disconnects the motor from the engine, realizing a quiet and highly efficient EV mode. Compared to traditional hybrid systems, the electric motor driving range is expanded for high-speed driving (up to over 100km/h on a level highway) and the EV mode is frequently applied.

The Fuga Hybrid's sport performance feel is enhanced by the use of double-piston shock absorbers, and the first-ever application of both the advanced Electro-hydraulic Power Steering system and Electric Driven Intelligent Brake system.

Pirces range from 5,775,000 ¥ to 6,300,000 ¥.

Main Features of Nissan Fuga Hybrid
● Exterior

• 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with chrome color coating
• Available in a choice of seven body colors, including a new Eternal Snow White (a special Titanium Metallic color with Scratch Shield)

● Mechanism and equipment

• Nissan original one-motor two-clutch parallel hybrid system, 'Intelligent Dual Clutch Control'
• High-output lithium-ion battery with a quick charge/discharge function
• Advanced 'HM34' electric motor with maximum power output of 50kW（68PS） and maximum torque of 270N・m（27.5kgf・m）
• Special engine for hybrid 'VQ35HR' with maximum power of 225kW（306PS）/6800rpm and maximum torque of 350N・m（35.7kgf・m）/5000rpm）
• Electronic 7-speed hybrid transmission with manual shift mode

 

• Safety Shield Package with Intelligent Control Assist (Distance Control Assist), Intelligent Cruise Control, FCW (Forward Collision Warning), Intelligent Brake Assist/Emergency Brake Operated Pre-crash Front Seat Belts, LDP (Lane Departure Prevention)/LDW (Lane Departure Warning), VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control including TCS), and ECO-pedal)
• Electro-hydraulic Power Steering system, which drives the pump by electric motor to generate hydraulic pressure
• Electric Driven Intelligent Brake, with applied electric type booster
• Regenerative braking system
• World's first adoption*2 of an opposite direction driving warning system, which gives the driver audio and visual warnings when the vehicle detects that it is going in the opposite direction on highways based on the vehicle driving information (vehicle speed, GPS location, map information in the car navigation system)
• 'Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians' (AVSP) system, which makes sound from the start of the vehicle until the vehicle speed reaches 30km/h and when it slows to under 25km/h; it also generates an intermittent sound when the vehicle is in reverse
• Double-piston shock absorbers, which utilize a double-piston structure to help control damping force according to vibration frequency from the road surface
• 'Forest AC' air conditioning system, with an electric compressor used to operate the air conditioner while the engine is not in motion

● Eco-Drive Support Function

• Special meter display for the Nissan Fuga Hybrid which shows various information, including operating conditions of the hybrid system (Energy Monitor), battery remaining capacity, Accelerator Guide, ECO-drive Indicator and a liquid-crystal odometer/twin trip meter (with an EV mode travel distance display function)
• CARWINGS Navigation System, which can simultaneously show Energy Monitor, the average/instant fuel economy and the map on the monitor (HDD system with a terrestrial digital TV tuner)