Infiniti planning a BMW 1-Series/Audi A3 rival

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http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/infiniti-wants-a-1-series-competitor/

Infiniti is gearing up for its entrance into Europe, but something's missing from its lineup: a small car. With BMW's 1-series being a popular choice for badge-obsessed consumers abroad, Infiniti needs something similar to solidify its place in the luxury hierarchy, but what form it will take is unclear.

According to Autocar, Infiniti insiders are planning to unleash something that aims to compete with the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series, but unnamed sources at Infiniti are quick to point out that the shape will be something entirely different than what's currently being offered by its competitors. The two options, according to Autocar, include a smaller crossover that would slot in below the EX35 or a hardtop convertible. Whatever it looks like, expect the new B-class Infiniti to be revealed sometime in 2010.
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Heh... so a B37 maybe? That would be pretty sweet...

They wouldn't do a B38 with the GT-R's motor, that'd be just nonsense... but using the same ol' 3.5L would be nonsense as well. I'd be very interested in what they have in mind as my next car will have only 2 seats, whatever it may be... (only 4 things currently come to mind: V8 240Z, 135i, Cayman or GT-R... depending on how tight of a row my ducks form :tongue:)
 
Cube said:
Heh... so a B37 maybe? That would be pretty sweet...

They wouldn't do a B38 with the GT-R's motor, that'd be just nonsense... but using the same ol' 3.5L would be nonsense as well. I'd be very interested in what they have in mind as my next car will have only 2 seats, whatever it may be... (only 4 things currently come to mind: V8 240Z, 135i, Cayman or GT-R... depending on how tight of a row my ducks form :tongue:)
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Infiniti was planning on offering a diesel that they share with Renault in Europe for the FX. I think they'll probably use a Renault motor on it as well. If they'd like to offer a full range, they would include a 4 cylinder. If not and if they'd go for a sporty 135 competitor, the hirev 35 should be dead on. I don't think they'll use the 37 or 38 in any ways due to size..
 
EgeFx said:
I don't think they'll use the 37 or 38 in any ways due to size..
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The 3.7 is still the same ol' VQ motor, size shouldn't be an issue. There's a bit more bulk due to the dual intakes, but other than that it's generally the same size motor. The 3.8, however, is a VR38DETT (or for naturally aspirated VR38DE if they don't put any turbos on it), and I'd agree on space consideration there.

Edit: both the VQ35HR and the VQ37HR share dual intake, so the only major differences between the two are: stroke increased from like 81.4mm to 86mm and the valves controlled by a hydraulic mechanism they like to refer to as VVEL (oh and compression ratio raised from 10.6:1 to 11:1)
 
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Blurry images of Infiniti 1-series fighter surface

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/blurry-images-of-infinitis-1-series-fighter-surface/
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from Autoblog
While Jonathan's shots of the new 370Z were seductively cryptic, these newest images from Car do more to confuse than enlighten. Car was attending a presentation by Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura, and with their camera phone at the ready, snapped off a few shots of Infiniti's upcoming small sports car that looks more like Han Solo in carbonite than a swoopy coupe.

The Infiniti two-door is expected to debut sometime later this year in concept form, and is poised to take on the BMW 1-series in the compact coupe segment. The shape, even in the grainy pic, is decidedly different from anything else in its class, with a long hood and a cab-backward design that has plenty of potential.

Car also grabbed a shot of the Nissan 370Z, which appears to get some seriously styled wheel arches and a steeply raked windshield. But according to the Brit buff book's sources, the new Z will take several cues from the GT-R when it's unveiled later this year at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
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Baby Infiniti Coupe in the Pipeline

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from InsideLine

CASCAIS, Portugal — At a drive session in Portugal in May, Nissan showed journalists the ultimate teaser. As we entered a design presentation and reception, two full-size side profile motifs protruding out of opposite walls in the auditorium, and hidden behind white sheets, pointed to not just one, but two new sport coupes — the new Z car, but also a baby Infiniti coupe based on the Z.

As we probed one Nissan source for answers, we learned that while the new Z will land in showrooms in 2009, the Infiniti coupe will "turn up in concept car form at a motor show within the next year." And this new Infiniti will sit on the same platform as that employed by the Z. That's all Nissan would give away.

Whether the new coupe will debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show or the Geneva show in March, given that Infiniti has just launched in Europe, is unknown. But one thing we did confirm is that we will see the coupe on North American streets by late 2010, and in European showrooms soon after that.

From what we could gather, the new baby Infiniti two-door will rival the BMW Z4 and Porsche Cayman for size and will be a rear-wheel drive two-seater hardtop. But unlike its hard-core Nissan Z brother, the Infiniti will lean more toward the luxury end of the scale, with a softer ride and more leather.

Expect a 2.5-liter V6 for this coupe, which will be the smallest model in the Infiniti range.

What this means to you: Expect to learn more in the coming year as the future Infiniti gets closer to launch.
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That looks a lot more aggressive than the G37 they should have used that styling from the beginning.
 
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