More cars, more power for Infiniti range

INFINITI is planning a series of high-performance engines that it said are paramount to the success of the brand and they are aimed directly at Australian enthusiasts.

According to Infiniti Australia managing director Jean-Philippe Roux, the bi-turbo engines – based on the unit found under the bonnet of the Nissan GT-R – will fit perfectly with Australia’s love of performance cars.

Infiniti has dumped its VQ engines, which are fitted to models including the Nissan 370Z, and will replace it with the VR family as used by the updated GT-R.

The VR engine family is smaller, lighter and capable of delivering more power and broader torque.

It come in two stages of tune and has up to two water pumps, water for the intercooler, an integrated exhaust manifold and an electric motor to improve the response of the variable-valve timing.

But it will not be the same engine as the GT-R. Rather, the 3.0-litre bi-turbo petrol V6 will be available in different outputs up to the most desirable 300kW.

“It will be included in the Q50 by the end of this year,” Mr Roux said.

“Performance is important to us. It’s our point of difference. For example, when we have a hybrid, it is a performance hybrid.”

The 3.0-litre bi-turbo engine will also be available in a lower state of tune to expand the audience of the Q50.

Infiniti confirmed the engine would come as a 225kW/400Nm version that can also be spilled over to other Infiniti variants.

It will be a big step–up for the Q50 sedan that currently has comparatively mild engine choices of a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, 2.2-litre turbo-diesel or a 3.5-litre petrol V6 in hybrid format.

Mr Roux said that the new 300kW/475Nm top-spec engine that’s planned for the Q50 could also be used in other models.

“We are currently looking at the Q60 as using that engine,” he said.

The Q60 coupe, expected in November 2016, is the replacement for the G37 coupe.

It shares the platform and drivetrain with the Q50 sedan.

Infiniti in 2014 showcased a 410kW/600Nm 3.8-litre engine in its concept Q50 Eau Rouge sedan. It’s engine and all-wheel drive layout were identical to that fitted to its associate Nissan’s GT-R.

But late last year it canned plans to bring the Eau Rouge to production, instead announcing new engines, including performance units.