New Infiniti Q50 and stunning AMG GT impress in Geneva

by Keith Morgan on Thursday, March 16th, 2017

The new Infiniti Q50 premium sports sedan made its global debut and Mercedes revealed an eye-catching sports car at the Geneva International Motor Show.

The Hong Kong-based company says its new Q50 features “innovative technologies that empower and support the driver, taking a holistic approach to performance.”

Showcar Mercedes-AMG GT Concept

As the company’s core brand-building model and best-selling vehicle worldwide, Infiniti has already introduced several world-first innovations with the existing Q50.

One of the available driver assistance technologies included in the new Q50 is second-generation Direct Adaptive Steering – a steer-by-wire system that supports the driver by providing smooth operation, more direct steering responses and easy maneuverability. Direct Adaptive Steering is a precursor to future steering systems that will form a key building block to achieving fully-autonomous driving.

The Q50 is powered by the award-winning 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine from the new and exclusive ‘VR’ powertrain family, which was recently named on the prestigious 2017 Ward’s ’10 Best Engines’ list.

It also features a refreshed exterior and interior design – bringing the car in line with the brand’s ‘designed to perform’ ethos.

Over at the Mercedes display, there were gasps when, as part of the 50th anniversary of Mercedes-AMG, the covers were ripped off the stunning GT Concept show car.

This four-door coupe heralds a further extension of the AMG GT family, following the legacy of the SLS AMG and AMG GT, which were completely developed at AMG’s headquarters in Affalterbach. The designation and fundamental design elements on the front and rear end denote the family affiliation to the AMG GT. The “EQ Power+” badging on the mirror camera indicates the increased performance that can be expected from hybridization at AMG.

The AMG GT Concept uses a combination of an ultra-modern V8 gasoline engine and a high-performance electric motor, both intelligently networked with an extremely powerful yet lightweight battery concept. This performance hybrid powertrain offers an impressive electric range and the opportunity to generate a system output of up to 805 horsepower in its last level of development, and covers the sprint from 0-100 km/h in less than three seconds.

keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

Premium marque Infiniti deserves wider market respect

by Keith Morgan on Thursday, February 9th, 2017

“The launch of the Q50 family sedan in 2013 opened many eyes and subsequent additions like the Q60 have widened them.”

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It is all about sporty utes at 2017 Detroit auto extravaganza

by Wade Ozeroff on Friday, January 20th, 2017

PULL QUOTE: “There was a parade of new sport/crossover utes from virtually all manufacturers, all scrambling to get a share of this hot market segment.”

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Infiniti experience centre hints at car showroom future

by Keith Morgan on Monday, December 19th, 2016

Flashy multi-million-dollar car dealerships are here and now prestige brand Infiniti may just have upped the race for the most attractive showrooms.

The prestige brand has opened its first Brand Experience Centre in Beijing, showcasing the marque’s design aesthetics and its innovative technologies all within a premium lifestyle space. The Infiniti experience centre serves as a platform for customers to enjoy an interactive experience, exploring product, technology and service innovations.

Dane Fisher, General Manager of Global Business Transformation & Brand said: “This is our first Brand Experience Centre globally and we are very excited that Chinese customers can get to experience it first. As a fully interactive experience, visitors can get up close with our brand understand our “Empower the Drive” brand statement.”

During the opening, renowned Chinese fashion designer, Zhang Chi took cues from the model lineup for his latest collection and interpreted the car designs. Visitors also had the opportunity to experience the QX30, which was launched at Auto Guangzhou 2016, as well as an onsite demonstration of the Concept Vision Gran Turismo simulator, which, Infiniti says, reflects the brand’s sports DNA.

High definition LED screen intuitively shows visitors groundbreaking technologies such as the world’s first Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS). Visitors also enjoy various exhibits in a special gallery space with an outside shopping area where they could purchase branded merchandise.

Infiniti is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries. In recent years, it’s gone to great lengths to grow against the likes of Lexus and premium European brands. Infiniti is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been acclaimed for its design and innovative driver-assistance technologies.

Its vehicle range is manufactured at facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Infiniti plans to expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017.

It’s opened design studios in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.

From the 2016 season, Infiniti is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance. Prior to that it had a successful partnership with the Red Bull team, led by four-time world champ, Sebastian Vettel.

keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

Los Angeles Auto Show’s dazzle has a green hue

by Keith Morgan on Friday, November 25th, 2016

Keith Morgan picks five trendy faves from Ford, Infinity, Lincoln, Hyundai and Chevy at the L.A. International auto show

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All-New Infiniti Q30 Compact Entry Debuts This Fall (2015)

by Keith Morgan on Sunday, July 12th, 2015

“Its design and engineering development has the fingerprints of four-times F1 Champion Sebastian Vettel all over it.”

The Infiniti Q30 Concept embodies Infiniti’s vision to deliver head-turning design, innovative materials with precise fit and finish and passionate craftsmanship, while provoking a radical shift in the premium compact segment.

Premium brand Infiniti will unveil its first-ever compact car at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September this year (September 17 to 27, 2015).

Two years after the Infiniti Q30 Concept debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt show, the production version of this segment-spanning compact car will be revealed at the show this year.

Infiniti is in the final stages of preparing the launch. Dynamic testing and ultimate validation is currently taking place across the UK and throughout mainland Europe where development of the vehicle has been completed at the company’s Engineering Centre in Cranfield, in north-east England, since 2014.

The Q30 will go on sale in Europe towards the end of 2015 with other markets to follow subsequently. More news on the Infiniti Q30 active compact will be released closer to the Frankfurt show in September.

The road to production for this much-anticipated car has been rocky though not for what might be expected reasons. Its design and engineering development has the fingerprints of four-times F1 Champion Sebastian Vettel all over it.

When his ‘hands-on’ association with the car was revealed, it was not merely a stroke of marketing genius but the racer’s renowned smarts meant his input would be extremely valuable.

Then Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen announced the car alongside Vettel, who was wearing his Infiniti-Red Bull F1 team shirt for the occasion. Since then the president has headed over to GM to run Cadillac and Vettel has joined the Ferrari F1 team.

After chatting to Vettel, there’s no doubt in the mind of yours truly that he will want to get a turn at the wheel of a Q30 production car to see just how much of his advice was accepted. Sadly, for Infiniti they won’t be able to trumpet his participation in Frankfurt this fall.

Contact the writer at: keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

HONG KONG (June 19, 2015) – Infiniti will unveil its first-ever compact car at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September this year (September 17 to 27). Two years after the Infiniti Q30 Concept debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt show, the production version of this segment-spanning compact car will be revealed at the show this year.

Detroit 2015: New Wheels with Big Dollar Price Tags

by Keith Morgan on Thursday, January 22nd, 2015

“In recent years, compact cars have heavily featured but there was none of significance launched here…”
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Wildlife Art Exhibit Coming to Langley Infiniti Dealership

by Driveway on Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

A display of work by wildlife artists, including “The Vanishing – Western Black Rhino (Now Extinct)” by artist Carrie Cook, will be on display this weekend at Open Road Inifiniti at 5995 Collection Dr.

via the Langley Times:

After a successful fourth annual Artists for Conservation Festival, the world-class art exhibit will make an encore appearance at Open Road Infiniti in Langley starting on Thursday, Nov. 27.

The exhibit includes some of the latest original artworks by leading nature and wildlife artists from around the world.

Accompanying the four-day exhibit will be live birds of prey, music, and a chance to mingle with some of the artists.

“The reaction to this year’s bear-themed festival was overwhelmingly positive,” said Jeff Whiting, founder and president of Artists for Conservation.

“Each year, our goal is to share the conservation message through art to a broader audience. Our partnership with OpenRoad Infiniti allows us to do just that.”

Infiniti’s Q70 In A New York State Of Shine

by Driveway on Thursday, October 16th, 2014

“SoHo is an ideal locale for the launch of a flagship vehicle from a premium automaker that aspires to many of the same ideals as those driving the district’s renaissance…”

By Rob Rothwell

New York, NY.

Avant garde, the SoHo District of New York City on the densely populated island of Manhattan is home to a culture of creativity, artistry, and some of the best high-end shopping in the world. SoHo is an ideal locale for the launch of a flagship vehicle from a premium automaker that aspires to many of the same ideals as those driving the district’s renaissance. (more…)

PHOTOS: The Sweetest Shots from the 2014 Belgian Grand Prix

by Driveway on Thursday, September 18th, 2014

Infiti-Red Bull Racing were friendly enough to have our own Keith Morgan out to Spa for this year’s 2014 Belgian Grand Prix, where he sipped and snacked with Europe’s highest class and sat down with four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel.

He also took a tour of the Infiniti-Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes, England – a top-secret palace worthy of 007 himself. Shaken, not stirred, folks.

Here are some of Morgan’s sweetest snaps from his visit across the pond. You can read his full feature on the Belgian Grand Prize and the Infiniti-Red Bull factory on Driveway Canada.