Next Infiniti G Series to get Mercedes engines

MERCEDES-BENZ will play a major role in upcoming Infiniti models, with the German car-maker expected to provide four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines for the next-generation Infiniti G Series sedan due in Australia in the second half of 2013.

Benz is also expected to provide the platform for an all-new Infiniti small car that was previewed by the Etherea concept at the 2011 Geneva motor show.

The G Series – which is about the size of a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4 – will be an all-new model built in Japan, but for the first time with four-cylinder powertrains, possibly alongside a Nissan V6.

The current G Series sedan (pictured at the bottom of the page) will not be part of Infiniti’s Australian line-up when the brand launches here in August this year because of the proximity to the new generation, but the coupe and cabriolet variants, which have a longer period to run, are on the launch pad for December.

Infiniti yesterday announced it had started building a new engine plant at its existing Decherd facility in Tennessee to produce four-cylinder engines for a range of Mercedes and Infiniti models in the US market, including the Benz C-Class.

GoAuto understands that the next G Series will be one of the other recipients, with both the CGI petrol and CDI diesel, although these engines are likely to be sourced from a Nissan plant in Japan rather than the new US facility.

However, speculation that next G Series sedan would share its underpinnings with the C-Class looks to be unfounded, with Infiniti Australia media and public relations manager Peter Fadeyev telling GoAuto today that the car would use Infiniti’s own platform.

“Rumours that the next-generation Infiniti G sedan is to be built on a Daimler platform is pure speculation,” he said.

“The current-model Infiniti G sedan’s front mid-ship chassis design is the cornerstone of its famed handling properties, one of many hallmarks we expect to see in the next-generation model.”

From top: Infiniti G Coupe, FX SUV, M sedan and Etherea concept.

The 2013 G Series is expected to take styling cues from the latest Infiniti concepts, including the Emerg-E sportscar from the Geneva motor show in March this year, and the LE electric sedan shown in New York last month.

Meanwhile, the forthcoming Infiniti small car, due to be revealed around 2015, will sit on Mercedes’ new MFA modular platform, which forms the basis of the front-drive A- and B-Class, plus the forthcoming CLA sedan, GLC small SUV and an as-yet-unnamed fifth model line, reputed to be a small sportscar.

Benz has confirmed it will offer the CLA in both front- and all-wheel-drive configuration, something that could also be carried over to the new baby Infiniti.

Overseas reports indicate that engines from these new small Mercedes models, including the turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol and 1.8-litre diesel from the B-Class launched Down Under last month, could appear in the small Infiniti.

Nissan announced today that the Infiniti small car would be assembled by Austrian company Magna Steyr, also responsible for the assembly of cars like the Mini Countryman and Peugeot RCZ.

The next-generation G Series and the unnamed small car will form large planks in Infiniti’s ambitious global targets, which include annual sales of 500,000 cars by 2016, an increase of more than 300 per cent in five years.

As well as expanding into new markets such as Australia, the company said earlier this year it would assemble two luxury models in China from 2014 with local partner Dongfeng Motor.

Daimler-Benz and the Renault-Nissan Alliance (which includes Infiniti) launched a strategic collaboration in April 2010, with each purchasing a 3.1 per cent stake in the other.

The first fruit of the partnership was the new Mercedes-Benz Citan van, which shares technology with the similarly small Renault Kangoo van and which is due Down Under next year.

The two brands have also confirmed the development of a joint architecture for Renault and Smart micro cars for an early 2014 launch, including the next-generation Renault Twingo, plus two- and four-seat Smart vehicles.

Infiniti will launch in Australia in August with a line-up comprised of the FX medium SUV and M Sedan range, with the current G Series coupe and cabrio to follow four months later.

Five new models will be added between late 2013 and 2016, with a sportscar and all-electric car also in the pipeline, along with the next-generation G sedan and C-segment small car.

Earlier this month Infiniti Australia announced the appointment of its first three dealers, in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with Adelaide and Perth outlets expected to open next year.