Infiniti QX

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Infiniti QX
2004-07 Infiniti QX56
Manufacturer Infiniti
Parent company Nissan
Production 2004–present (QX56)
1997–2003 (QX4)
Body style(s) 5-door SUV

The Infiniti QX is a luxury SUV built by Nissan and originally sold in North America. The first generation received its naming inspiration from the recognized four wheel drive terminology "4X4" with Infiniti adding a "Q" at the beginning to suggest it was a luxurious "4X4", borrowed from the Q45. The first generation also had a briefly available Japanese version called the Nissan Pathfinder 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.

Infiniti has continued adding an "X" in the alphanumeric identification to all vehicles currently offered denoting that the particular vehicle has all-wheel-drive technology, based on Nissan's ATTESA system.

[edit] First generation series JR50 (1997-2003)

Infiniti QX4
1997-2000 Infiniti QX4
2001 Nissan Terrano Regulus
Manufacturer Nissan
Also called Nissan Terrano Regulus
Production 1997–2003
Assembly Kyūshū, Japan
Successor Infiniti FX
Body style(s) 5-door SUV
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Engine(s) VG33E 3.3 L V6
VQ35DE 3.5 L V6
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase 106.3 in (2700 mm)
Length 1997-2000: 183.9 in (4671 mm)
2001-03: 183.1 in (4651 mm)
Width 72.4 in (1839 mm)
Height 70.7 in (1796 mm)
Fuel capacity 21.1 US gallons (79.9 L; 17.6 imp gal)
Related Nissan Pathfinder

The Infiniti QX4 is a mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) introduced in 1997 as a rebadged Nissan Pathfinder. It was released a year after 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 advanced four wheel drive system, a more upscale interior, and unique styling. Although marketed as a luxury vehicle, it is capable off-road service due to its low-range four wheel drive system and 8.3 inches (211 mm) of ground clearance.

The QX4 received its first major update in 2001, with a completely new VQ series engine (also in G35 and FX35) increasing its power from a relatively weak 168 horsepower (125 kW) to a comparative 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 more reliable ignition distributor was replaced with a problematic individual coil ignition system.

This 2001 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).

As of model year 2002, the Regulus was no longer available in Japan.

The QX4 was discontinued in 2003, and its position in price was taken by the G35/M35/M45-based FX35/45 crossover SUV. The last QX4 was manufactured during November 2002.

[edit] Second generation series JA60 (2004-present)

Infiniti QX56
2008 Infiniti QX56
Manufacturer Nissan
Production 2004–present
Assembly Canton, Mississippi, United States
Body style(s) 5-door SUV
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform Nissan F-Alpha platform
Engine(s) 5.6 L V8 VK56DE
Transmission(s) 5-speed automatic
Wheelbase 123.2 in (3129 mm)
Length 206.9 in (5255 mm)
Width 2008-2010: 79.5 in (2019 mm)
2004-07: 78.8 in (2002 mm)
Height 2005-2010 2WD: 77.0 in (1956 mm)
2004 & 2008-2010 4WD: 78.7 in (1999 mm)
2005-07 4WD: 77.8 in (1976 mm)
Curb weight 5,597 lb (2,539 kg)
Related Nissan Titan
Nissan Armada
Nissan Frontier
Nissan Xterra

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 is currently unique to the United States, Canada, Russia, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It is also the first Infiniti built in the United States.

The rear door handles are installed on the "C" pillar as a Nissan design tradition started with the 1986 Nissan Pathfinder. When the four door 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 is propelled by a 5.6 L VK56DE V8 engine (315 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. 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 in North America, and is Infiniti's only full-size vehicle. For 2008, the Infiniti QX56 received a minor facelift which included more standard equipment and standard 20-inch chrome wheels.

As with the Armada, the QX56 was very unreliable in Consumer Reports' surveys mainly due to problems with the brakes. However, the 2008 model had all the brake problems solved, and the QX56 now has an average rating in CR's surveys. 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. The 2010 model is the last year for the QX56 and a Japanese built replacement based on the 2010 Nissan Patrol will be sold instead[1]. In September 2009, spy shots previewed a new QX56 version of the Patrol, which is slated go on sale in North America in 2010[2].

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Spy Shots: 2010 Nissan Patrol" from www.motorauthority.com (December 8, 2008)
  2. ^ "2011 Infiniti QX Preview" From www.motorauthority.com (September 10, 2009)

[edit] External links

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Infiniti, a marque of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., road car timeline, 1990s–present
Type 1990s 2000s 2010s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Coupe M30 G35C G37C
Entry-level G20 G20 G35 G35 G37
Mid-size I30 I30 / I35
J30 M45 M35 / M45
Full-size Q45 Q45 Q45
SUV EX35 EX37
FX35 / FX45 FX35 / FX50
QX4 QX56
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