2008 Infiniti QX56 Debuts at NAIAS

Followingrna record setting sales trend and the successful launch of the all-new Grnsedan, Infiniti is keeping the momentum going with today's unveiling ofrnthe 2008 Infiniti QX full-size luxury sport utility vehicle at thernNorth American International Auto Show in Detroit.

With a newrninterior and refined exterior, Infiniti is enhancing and improving whatrncustomers already love about the QX - styling, technology, comfort -rnwithout compromising its towing capacity and interior roominess.

"Likernthe all-new G Sedan, the 2008 QX demonstrates Infiniti's philosophy ofrnconstantly evolving in the competitive luxury segment," said Mark Igo,rnvice president and general manager of Infiniti. "Despite being voted byrnconsumers as top in its class in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006rnAutomotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, we've givenrnthe new QX significant upgrades in the areas of interior design,rnperformance, luxury features, and technology."

The new QX, whichrngoes on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide in April 2007, is thernfirst major revision since it joined the luxury SUV scene in 2004 withrna number of class-leading standard features. The exterior enhancementsrnto the new QX include new front and rear fascias, new front fog lamps,rnnew roof rack, standard 20-inch chromed aluminum-alloy wheels, and twornnew exterior colors - Lakeshore Slate and Serengeti Sand.

ThernQX's new interior is highlighted by a new instrument panel clusterrndesign with Fine Vision electroluminescent instrumentation and a newrngenuine wood grain interior trim. Comfort and convenience is enhancedrnwith a new 3rd-row power folding seat, standard heated steering wheelrnon the 4WD model, and a new stone interior.

Technologicalrnadvancements include a new standard Premium Audio System with Bose®rnSpeakers, Burr-Brown Digital Audio Converter and 9.5-gigabyte Music Boxrnhard drive and compact flash slot for playing MP3 files, InfinitirnNavigation system and Intelligent Key.

Also available is anrnInfiniti Mobile Entertainment System with a larger screen (8.0 inchesrnversus the previous 7.0), and a standard XM® NavTraffic™ system withrnreal-time traffic information (requires active XM® satellite radiornsubscription) - which allows drivers to chose the most efficient routernto get to their destination.

The QX maintains its class-leadingrn2nd row roominess, go-anywhere ruggedness and the abundant power and uprnto 9,000-pound towing capability (when properly equipped) of thernstandard 320-horsepower DOHC 5.6-liter V8 engine.

Infiniti QX56

Nissan assembles thernQX56, a model of sport utility vehicle, and offers it to the publicrnunder the Infiniti brand. It is based on the Nissan Armada full-sizernSUV, and shares the F-Alpha platform with the Nissan Titan pickuprntruck. The QX56 competes directly with the Lincoln Navigator andrnCadillac Escalade full-size luxury sport utilities, as well as thernsmaller Lexus LX470.

The truck is propelled by a 5.6 L VK56DE V8rnengine (315 hp [227 kW] @ 4,900 rpm and 390 ft·lbf torque @ 3,600 rpm)rnand a 5-speed automatic transmission with an overdrive. Each cylinderrnin the engine is lined with cast iron. The valvetrain is a DOHC designrnwith four valves per cylinder. Infiniti designed the QX56's throttlernresponsiveness to correspond to specific drivetrain modes: when therndriver selects all-wheel drive, the throttle becomes less sensitive,rnpresumably to allow easier regulation of acceleration when off-road.

ThernInfiniti QX56 has around 9,000 lb. of towing capacity, which is thernhighest in its class. It comes in one trim level, with only key optionsrnsuch as: DVD entertainment system, 4WD / 2WD, and a bench instead ofrncaptain chairs as the second row. Other features which come standardrnare a ten-speaker Bose system, DVD-based navigation system, leatherrntrim for all seats, dual-climate control, 18 in. chrome alloy wheels,rnand an adaptive cruise control system. A precrash system is a noveltyrnin the market as well.

As with the Nissan Armada, it is built inrnCanton, Mississippi; and is currently only available in the Americanrnand Canadian markets. It is also the first Infiniti built in the UnitedrnStates. Since priced lower than the Lexus LX, the QX56 has become arnsuccess for Infiniti, outselling the Lexus LX.