Infiniti Gathering; Warm Wishes, Good Cheer and 2016 Model News

By Thom Cannell
Senior Editor
Michigan Bureau
The Auto Channel

Detroit Holiday Season 2015; In Detroit holiday parties, auto manufacturer holiday parties, deliver good food, good wine and the occasional tidbit of news. Infiniti, for instance, gave us food and wine, and news about the latest 2016 versions of QX 60 SUV and Q 60 sedan. Both are refreshed, not all-new

On the SUV side, the updated QX 60 has a new signature nose, more like newer siblings in Infiniti's lineup. Interiors are updated with new quilting, all-wheel drive versions use predictive algorithms and new forward collision warning. It's a better looking vehicle and will be introduced to the world in just hours at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

Also on display was the Q 60 sedan. It's also refreshed and highly similar to the older model, mostly new wheels, new exhaust tips, and a more staggered stance for all-wheel drive versions, There is, however, major news about the power train. A Red Sport version of the V-6 engine makes 400 horsepower; Infiniti is aiming for BMW territory in performance. Other powertrains for Q 50 are a 300-hp V-6 and a 2.0-liter I-4 built in conjunction with Daimler.

The engine, Infiniti product planning manager Kyle Vargason told us, uses closely coupled twin turbochargers to rapidly respond to throttle input while still getting good fuel economy. The technology on the engine is interesting. Turbochargers for the direct injected engine are electronically controlled; vacuum control, which is normally used for this function, makes response to the throttle too slow, engineers say.

Infiniti doesn't use standard throttle body air intake to the engine, either. They control engine output more by limiting intake air flow through variable vane turbos than controlling fuel. Another feature is in their selectable ride mode control.

Engineers say the selector is more than just a map change in the transmission, rather it changes every aspect of the car: steering ratio and feel, dampers, shift map, pedal response map, even a change in the active sound cancellation system to allow more engine sounds into the cable.

The final feature for 2016 is Dunlop run-flat tires.