Infiniti G37 Convertible: New Photo, European Sales Confirmed

As everyone suspected when Infiniti first announced that the new G37 Coupe-Cabriolet would go on sale in the U.S. early next year, the Japanese firm today officially confirmed that its forthcoming hardtop convertible will also be available in Europe from summer 2009. The news coincides with the release of a second image of the car that shows the rear end of the G37 Convertible which accommodates a three-piece automatic retracting hardtop. -Continued

Infiniti’s answer to the BMW 3-Series Convertible will be powered by the same 320PS 3.7-litre V6 engine combined to a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional seven-speed automatic with paddle shift, as its sister G37 Sedan and Coupe models. More pictures and details of the G37 Convertible will be issued at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show in November during the car’s global debut

Infiniti to open first European Centre in Paris this October

The first Infiniti Centre in Europe will open in Paris on the Avenue de Versailles in the 16th Arrondissement of Paris on the eve of the international Motor Show that runs from October 4 to 19. This October will also see the brand opening the doors to retail centers in Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and Greece. Meanwhile at the Paris Expo, Infiniti will perform the motor show debut of FX37 crossover powered by a 320 PS 3.7-liter V6 engine. Available in FX37 GT and FX37S versions, it will accelerate to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.8 sec and onto a top speed of 233 km/h or 145mph. Other than the FX37, Infiniti’s European range will also include the FX50 and G37 sedan and coupe models.

Infiniti Releases First Official Photo of G37 Coupe-Convertible

This is the first official photo of the new Infiniti G37 Convertible that will receive its global debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Based on the G37 Coupe, the G37 Convertible will feature a three-piece automatic retracting hardtop and will be offered with a 328 HP 3.7-liter V6 engine matted to either an all-new electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode or a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The Japanese carmaker has confirmed sales only for the US market where it will be launched early in 2009. However, Infiniti says that the G37 Convertible is under study for a European launch where it would join its sister G models, the G37 Sedan and Coupe.

Infiniti to Launch 2009 G37 Sedan 328 HP & G37 Coupe AWD in September

Apart from announcing details on the all-new G37 Coupe-Cabriolet Infiniti has also revealed that it will launch the 2009 model year G37 Sedan and G37x Coupe in September. The G35 Sedan with the 306 HP 3.5-liter V6 will give its place to the G37 Sedan that receives the Coupe’s 328 HP 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a new 7-speed automatic transmission or close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox. Other changes for the 2009 G Sedan include new available sport brakes with 4-piston front/2-piston rear calipers and 14-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors, new 18-inch alloys and standard Scratch Shield paint (self-healing clearcoat finish). -Continued

For 2009, the G37 Coupe’s range is expanded with the addition of a new G37x model with all-wheel drive. Also new for 2009 is a 7-speed automatic transmission with Drive Sport (DS) Mode and Downshift Rev Matching. Like the G37 Sedan, all 2009 Coupes receive standard Scratch Shield paint.

Infiniti G37 Coupe-Convertible to be Unveiled at the LA Show in November

Following an earlier announcement in May -see here- Infiniti has released more details on the forthcoming G37 Convertible. Confirming earlier reports, the drop-top G37 will feature a three-piece automatic retracting hardtop, just like its main rival, BMW 3-Series Cabriolet. Power will come from Infiniti’s 328 HP 3.7-liter V6 engine matted to either an all-new electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode or 6-speed manual transmission.

Infiniti says that both the audio and climate systems on the G37 Convertible will be enhanced to provide equal experience with the top up or down. The all-new Infiniti G37 Convertible is set to make its world debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

New Infiniti G Sedan Hybrid Prototype

Following in the footsteps of Lexus, Nissan is testing a high-performance rear-wheel drive hybrid system on the Infiniti G35 / G37 Sedan. Developed in house by Nissan, the parallel-powertrain system comprises a system with two clutches, where one motor is directly connected to an engine and transmission via two separate clutches. Depending on the driving conditions, the motor switches between the two clutches to optimise and conserve energy utilisation as well as improve fuel-efficiency. -Continued

Interestingly, Nissan has equipped the Infiniti G Hybrid with lithium-ion rather than nickel-metal hydride batteries which are charged by the engine or via the energy created from braking.

Infiniti’s 4Door-Coupe Version of the Nissan GT-R

In its latest issue, Japan’s Car Top magazine features a scoop story on a new 4door-coupe model from Infiniti based on the Nissan GT-R. Citing inside sources, the Japanese magazine states that Infiniti’s four-door version of the Nissan sportscar would use a stretched version of the GT-R’s platform. Power would come from the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 while the Infiniti would also maintain the GT-R’s highly advanced AWD system and six-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox.

While we have no inside information whatsoever to support this story, we must admit that a 4door-coupe version of the Nissan GT-R from Infiniti sound like a pretty good idea as it could serve as the ultimate halo model for the Japanese marque in its quest to win buyers from other (European) luxury brands.

Thanks for the scans R.T!

Infiniti Announces First European Prices in Spain

Infiniti has released final pan-European specifications and prices for the Spanish market ahead of its launch there in October. Overall, Infiniti’s European line-up will consist of four different models (G37 Sedan, G37 Coupe, EX37 and FX). Prices in Spain will start from €42,500 ($67,200) for the entry-level 320PS G37 Sedan rising to €77,000 ($121,700) for the fully-equipped 390PS FX50S. For comparison’s sake, the 306HP BMW 335i Sedan is priced in Spain from €47,300 while the 388Hp Mercedes-Benz ML500, from €80,700. -Continued

Spain isn’t the only market where Infiniti sales are about to start as October will also see the Japanese brand’s cars introduced in Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and Greece with prices for these markets set to be announced at the end of the summer.

The Recommended Retail Price (*) for the Spanish market is as follows:

G37 Sedan
G37 42.500,00 €
G37 GT 44.100,00 €
G37S 46.600,00 €

G37 Coupé
G37 44.500,00 €
G37 GT 46.100,00 €
G37S 48.600,00 €

EX37
EX37 51.500,00 €
EX37 GT 53.450,00 €

FX
FX37 GT 58.500,00 €
FX37S 61.250,00 €
FX50S 77.000,00 €

(*) The Recommended Retail Price includes V.A.T. (16%), delivery and First Registration Tax. Costs of registration are not included.

Nissan Recalling MY 2005-2006 Titan, Armada and Infiniti QX56

The first recall of the month concerns 180,664 MY 2005-2006 Nissan Titan, Armada and Infiniti QX56 vehicles manufactured after March 17, 2005, that are equipped with a Visteon air conditioning condenser fan motor. According to the recall note, the fan motor may not be properly sealed allowing excessive water intrusion and insufficient drainage of moisture which could cause corrosion in the motor leading possibly to overheating and a fire. Nissan/Infiniti dealers will test the AC condenser fan motor and replace it if needed. The recall is expected to begin near the end of July 2008.

Infiniti Readying "Baby" Sports Coupe Based on the Nissan 370Z

The Nissan-Infiniti Group seems to be entering a “coupe” phase lately as after the announcement on the 2009 Nissan 370Z and the talk about the revival of the Nissan 200/240SX coupe, word has it that Infiniti is preparing an entry-level RWD coupe based on the new “Z”.

According to a report from InsideLine, the 2-seater compact coupe that will fit right under the G37 in Infiniti’s car line-up will most probably be previewed in concept form either at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show or at the Geneva Show in March with sales of the production model following in 2010. It is said that Infiniti’s “baby” coupe will be powered by a 2.5-liter V6 engine.

Via: InsideLine , Pic: Holiday Auto

Infiniti Announces Pricing on 2009 FX50 and FX35

The all-new second generation 2009 Infiniti FX crossover will go on sale June 24 at Infiniti dealers in the U.S. and Canada with prices set at $40,950 for the FX35 RWD, $42,350 for the FX35 AWD and at $56,700 for the FX50 AWD. Both FX35 variants are equipped with a 303 Hp 3.5- liter V6 while the top-end FX50 gets a new 390Hp 5.0-liter V8 unit. All FX models are paired with a new 7-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and available solid magnesium paddle shifters.

European Infiniti’s Get Different Looks & More Powerful Engines

If you travel to Europe over the next year and you happen to drive an Infiniti, you might be surprised by the differences between the American and European models. All in all, Infiniti says that its engineers are making 300 to 500 changes per car to the Euro-bound models in order to meet customer needs across the pond. And mind you, these changes are quite significant as they even include a larger displacement, 3.7-liter V6 engine with 320Hp for the new FX instead of the US-Spec 303Hp 3.5 V6. -Continued

Other changes include quality knobs in the dashboard that are more Mercedes / BMW-like, new stabilizers, larger braking systems, heavier window seals - even a new seven-speed automatic transmission is planned for the Euro models. Now that doesn’t sound fait at all, does it…

Via: ANE (sub. Req)

Infiniti Launches European Pre-Order Site

If you live in Europe and you want to be one of the first ones to own an Infiniti, the Japanese premium car brand has launched a new dedicated site at “Infiniti.eu” where potential customers can sign up and pre-order their vehicle of choice. Infiniti’s European reservation list will only be open for a limited time until 30 September 2008, with the first deliveries set to start from October 2008.

At launch, Infiniti’s European line-up will comprise four models, the EX37 and FX crossovers and the G37 Sedan and Coupe, all of which have been tweaked for the European market. According to Infiniti Europe’s Marketing Director, Bastien Schupp, almost 10,000 people have already signed up on “infiniti.eu” to be an Infiniti Insider. “We’re pleased to see that excitement and anticipation are building even faster than we expected,” Schupp said. -Continued

The first European Infiniti Centers will open their doors in nine countries from October 2008, including the major markets of France, Spain and Italy. From January 2009, six more countries will join the Infiniti stable, followed by a further six countries from April 2009, including the UK and Germany.

Nissan to Release 9 All-New Models In 2008 Including 370Z and Cube

Nissan released an outline of its new five-year business plan called “Nissan GT 2012” (with “G” for growth and “T” for trust), which covers the period from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2013. Somewhere in-between its sales forecast and revenue outlook, the Japanese carmaker also revealed that it will launch nine all-new products during the 2008 fiscal year that ends in March 2009.

Apart from the Nissan Teana, Infiniti FX, Nissan Maxima and Nissan Qashqai+2 that we’ve already seen, Nissan said that in the next 12 months we’ll see the Bakkie successor, a mini SUV, the new Cube, the 370Z (pictured above) and the Infiniti G37 Convertible that we told you about earlier today. -Continued

Overall, the Nissan Group plans to unveil 60 all-new models in the next five years including an all-electric model specifically for the U.S. and Japan in 2010 and mass-market electric vehicles to consumers globally in 2012.

Infiniti G37 Convertible Officially Announced

The long-awaited convertible version of Infiniti’s G Coupe will be introduced during the fiscal year 2008 which started in April 2008 and ends in March 2009 according to an official announcement made by Nissan’s CEO, Carlos Ghosn during the unveiling of the company’s “GT 2012” mid term business plan (we’ll have more on that later on).

Although Nissan didn’t release any more details, it is rumored that the G37 convertible may get an electric folding hard-top like its main competitor, the BMW 3-Series Cabriolet. What’s for certain is that the G37 Convertible will come equipped with the same 330H 3.7-liter V6 engine as its coupe sibling.