2018 Infiniti QX50 fully unveiled in LA

Infiniti has whipped the covers off the new 2018 QX50 for the Los Angeles motor show, ending a month-long tease.

The new mid-size SUV is a crucial car for the brand, serving to debut a new platform and variable-compression ratio engine.

As you’ve probably gathered from the teasers, the production QX50 borrows heavily from the QX50 and QX Sport concepts. Measuring up at 4693mm long, 1903mm wide and 1679mm tall, the car is 37mm longer and 13mm wider than a Mercedes-Benz GLC. It’s also 40mm taller than the Mercedes, albeit with a 73mm shorter wheelbase.

 

Power will come from the much-publicised variable-compression ratio (VC-T) 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 200kW and 390Nm. Even though it’s almost half the size of the 3.7-litre V6 used in the car’s predecessor abroad, the 2.0-litre mill is down just 42kW, while offering 29Nm more torque.

The engine promises a 35 per cent fuel saving over the old V6 in front-wheel drive form, and a 30 per cent improvement while driving all four wheels. It’ll be hooked up to a CVT as standard.

As for the platform? Well, Infiniti says torsional rigidity has been improved by 23 per cent compared to the current car, and claims improvements in refinement and interior space. We’ll have to confirm those claims when we drive the car, but they’re lofty goals nonetheless.

The boot has space for 895 litres worth of gear with the second-row seats in their rear-most position, or 1048 litres with the bench slid forward. Folding the second-row frees up a not-insignificant 1699 litres. As previously mentioned, those numbers are knocking on the door of those claimed by full-sized luxury offerings like the BMW X5 and Audi Q7.

Behind the wheel, the QX50 doesn’t deviate too far from current Infiniti designs. That means – for better or worse – you get the dual-screen infotainment system from the Q50 and Q60, along with swathes of leather, wood and polished aluminium. The centre console is trimmed in two-tone leather and Alcantara, while the seats are finished with an attractive quilted pattern.

Detail about lower-spec trimmings aren’t available at the moment, but we’ll update you when they’re released.

Australia

Tony Mee, corporate communications manager for Infiniti Australia, said the company is “delighted” the car will be coming to Australia.

Exact timing is yet to be decided, but it should be arriving in “late-2018.”

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