Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury brand, presented its all-new QX60 crossover SUV via a short, branded-film entitled “INFINITI Presents: Conquer Life in Style with All-New QX60“, starring Kate Hudson, Golden Globe-winner and Academy Award-nominated actress, producer, entrepreneur, and mother. The association with the filmstar was said to be a ‘natural fit to bring to life the qualities of the target customer for QX60’, according to Infiniti.
The QX60, originally badged as ‘JX’, has been around for 9 years and has been made in the USA, available only in LHD form. However, the new generation will also be produced in China, only for that market.
Previewed by Monograph concept last year
The revised styling follows that seen in the Monograph concept shown last year with a more muscular appearance than before. Fine details have embedded and unique, yet subtle, Japanese essence: kimono folds in the headlamps, with the intricate folds of traditional Japanese origami. Chrome frames the signature grille and reaches up toward the corners into the signature piano key LED headlights.
An understated character line runs the length of the QX60, bisecting its two-tone roof from its lower body. The black roof — a first for the brand — visually reaches toward the rear wheels and is emphasized with chrome accents that frame the expansive greenhouse.
At the rear, digital piano key lighting — also previewed on the Monograph design study — creates an unmistakable look at night to identify the QX60. The rear taillight signature echoes the distinctive front LED headlamp display, combining powerful athleticism with harmony and simplicity, a new hallmark in Infiniti’s design language.
One engine choice only
The powertrain has a 3.5-litre V6 engine with new 9-speed automatic transmission. The Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system is significantly enhanced with an all-new direct coupling which almost instantly engages when it detects wheelslip. In some cases, it can proactively engage for better grip in slippery conditions and up to 50% of the available power can be sent to the rear wheels for increased grip. Active Brake Limited Slip functionality can brake individual wheels to redirect torque to the wheels with grip almost instantly.
Active safety features include Rear Automatic Braking, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, and Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection as well as Adaptive Front Lighting and Auto-Levelling Headlights.
An enhanced ProPILOT Assist system also debuts in the QX60 and draws information from the onboard navigation system to assist the driver. The ProPILOT Assist with Navi Link system can proactively slow the car for sharp bends or off-ramps and can automatically adjust the vehicle’s speed when engaged. In stop-and-go traffic, the system can slow the QX60 to a stop and restart travel after up to 30 seconds stationary.
The new QX60 shares the same platform as the latest Nissan Pathfinder with no change in wheelbase and a slightly shorter body. Its 3-row cabin has helped make it a popular choice in markets like North America, where it has one of the brand’s bestsellers.
Cabin with theatre-style seating
The spacious cabin has premium soft-touch materials throughout with ambient interior lighting bathes the cabin with soft but expressive illumination on entry and exit. The standard panoramic moonroof opens up the airy cabin further to let in natural light.
The front seats are Nissan’s well known, ergonomically designed ‘Zero Gravity’ seats with a structure that attempts to replicate the experience felt by astronauts in zero-gravity conditions. Developed in a joint study with Yamazaki Laboratory at Keio University, the seats more closely follow the natural curvatures of the human spine and reduce pressure on the hips, so driver and passengers arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed.
For additional comfort, seat massagers are available along with the front seats having their own climate control. Customers can choose Captain’s Chairs for the second row with theatre-style seating from front to rear. In such a seating layout, each row behind the driver and front passenger rises in without significantly impacting headroom.
Latest Infiniti InTouch system
A new Infiniti InTouch 12.3-inch Interactive Display touchscreen for infotainment is standard and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and USB-based Android Auto compatibility software. A 12.3-inch Dynamic Meter Display in front of the driver presents information such as speed, navigation information and more, and can be paired with a sharp 10.8-inch Head-Up Display (HUD). The sharp HUD is significantly enhanced from earlier displays with a dual free-form mirror that provides a crisp readout from more viewing angles than before.