Infiniti QX56 test drive since 2004 SUV

Infiniti QX56

By and large, the Infiniti QX56 is a more luxurious and expensive modification of the Nissan Pathfinder Armada, which we wrote about not so long ago. Nevertheless, we decided to get to know the model from Infiniti better, because now it is QX56 that will serve as a standard for all new large SUVs from America.

For six months since the beginning of production, Nissan Pathfinder Armada managed to commit a mini-revolution in the American market. Until this moment, no model of the Japanese manufacturer could compete with the traditional American large -sized SUV, led by a couple of Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Although Armada can be considered a really Japanese model only with a stretch, because it has been developed according to the classical principles of American SUVs and is produced at the Nissan Canton factory in the state of Mississippi. Recall that Armada was built on the latest Nissan platform, which is also used by the Titan pickup, and recently and the medium -size Pathfinder of the new generation.

As it turned out, Nissan USA decided to most effectively reveal the potential of a successful platform, and therefore prepared a more expensive and luxurious version of Pathfinder Armada, but already under the Infiniti brand. Actually, the first information about the car can already be obtained from its index: QX characters reveal its belonging to both the top models of the company and the class of SUVs, and the number 56 indicates the presence of a powerful V8 with a working volume of 5.6 liters. Obviously, in the preparation of QX56, American marketing solutions were actively used. And if Tahoee, thanks to easy transformations, turns into Cadillac Escalade, and Ford Excursion into Lincoln Navigator, then why not remake Pathfinder Armada into an more prestigious Infiniti model? That is why QX56 was so quickly able to appear on the market. The list of changes is familiar: easy exterior correction, the use of more expensive interior materials, and a slight intervention in the equipment. And even more impressive, the result was: the image of Infiniti QX56 is integral and extremely harmonious.

Family similarity

It seems that the designers did not think for too long in which style you need to redo the front of Armada. Of course, the large -sized Infiniti should remind of other models of the unit! And first of all, about the extremely successful crossover fx. The unique front headlights and the Armada radiator grille gave way to new details. Now the QX56 has a grate of a radiator with sparkling horizontal stripes so that no one occurred to anyone to doubt the car of the car to the glorious Infiniti clan, and for the most distrustful in the center of the lattice, a large logo of the company has been placed.
The front block facts initially make a strange impression. When compared with FX predatory eyes, they seem to be a certain step for ten years into the past. But then the understanding comes that QX needs precisely such details indicating healthy conservatism. Firstly, Armada just shocked many with his unusual headlights, and against his background QX56 will be able to earn additional glasses. And besides, we should not forget that the American potential buyer QX will be by definition much older and more conservative than the owner of the FX fashionable crossover. The front bumper also updated, which began to look more prestigious and solid. The fog lights were also replaced: instead of round, like Armada, massive rectangular, made in the same style with the main headlights, now flaunt.

In the back of the body, there are fewer changes: neat, albeit a massive rear bumper and rear lights. The form of the latter remained the same as the blocks familiar in Armada with chopped forms, but the filling has become more advanced. The rate is made on LEDs: Infiniti QX56, like the BMW 7th series, can include several dozen bright dots during braking at once. And to maintain the image, new wheels with a spectacular chrome coating were also installed. True, they do not know before the current standards: 18 inches today seems to be a very modest size. Probably, Infiniti understands well that lovers of truly large discs will still prefer to order them separately from numerous specialized manufacturers.

What happens in the end? On the one hand, on the characteristic lateral lines and glasses, it is difficult not to recognize the already familiar Armada body under the new costume. But at the same time, the front of the car still looks completely different, and in the characteristic style of Infiniti. Of course, the same Navigator differs from Excursion more significantly, but these unique parts of the QX56 may also be enough to achieve the status of a truly prestigious model.

Moderate luxury

It is worth open the driver's door Infiniti QX56, as a slight surprise appears. At first glance, everything is done here in the same way as the Nissan Armada. In fact, in the cabin of this car it is necessary to spend at least a couple of minutes and look more carefully at the front panel, doors, seats and other interior details. And then it will become clear why in Infiniti he is considered luxurious and worked out to the smallest detail. Let's start with the instrument panel it is entirely new. Like other prestigious cars, the QX56 received a panel of lighting devices, which is called the Fine Vision. It looks very impressive, although not as interesting as the legendary Optitron on Lexus models. It is worth noting the unusual placement of the scales of secondary devices, they surrounded the tachometer dial with a tight ring. We look a little to the right, to the central console, and find blocks of familiar buttons borrowed from Armada. However, you can be glad to the transition to a silver console trim, it has become somewhat more expensive than the usual black. But the true decoration of this console is practically hidden from prying eyes in its lower part. This is an elegant watch from Infiniti, which, of course, perform an exclusively image function here.

And how are things with wood and skin almost integral attributes of luxury cars? With this, QX56 is all right. There are wooden inserts both in the steering wheel and in the doorway. And the largest plate, which can definitely impress passengers, rests a stylish stove on the central tunnel, highlighting the site of the automatic gearbox lever. It remains only to express sincere gratitude to Nissan engineers, who once chose the placement of the automatic transmission lever on the tunnel, and not at the steering column, as is usually accepted on American SUVs. Everyone should like the seats with first -class leather trim and Infiniti logos on the backs. At the same time, the driver's seat received ten adjustments, and the passenger eight. You can try to adjust the position of pedals for yourself. By the way, the car remembers information about the position of not only seats, but also pedals and rear -view mirrors.

QX56 inherited from ARMADA an incredibly capacious salon. And if the supply of space in all directions in the front seats is perceived for granted, then the convenience of landing and comfort on the seats of the second row can be attributed to the category of pleasant surprises. The seat of the second row is supplied in two versions: in the form of an ordinary 3-seater sofa or in the form of a pair of separate chairs called captain. That is how the car provided for the test was equipped, and its owner will probably not regret his choice at all. The reserve of legs exceeds all expectations. And even passengers of the most solid build will not be able to complain about the tightness with a car width of 2 m, they are unlikely to touch each other's shoulders. Moreover, each of this pair of seats has its own folding armrest in addition to a spacious cabinet between them. By the way, this compartment is a suitable storage for books and other luggage. There should be enough space. It will not be too crowded on the seats of the third row. The supply of space for the legs of their inhabitants is about the same as on the second row of a medium -sized SUV.

Almost everything is in the database?!

Unlike other SUVs of the American market, Infiniti QX56 cannot boast of a long list of additional options. Almost everything is included in the standard completion of the car, including the navigation system useless in Russia, the Bose audio system with ten speakers and heating the seats of the first and second rows. True, Americans are given the opportunity to choose between all -wheel drive and rear -wheel drive options QX56, but exceptionally correct versions are imported into Russia. Therefore, it remains only to order an entertainment comed with a DVD player and hatch in the roof. We also recommend the Smart Vision system with a rear view camera, which greatly facilitates reverse movement and maneuvers in constrained conditions. Given the dimensions of this giant, it will not be superfluous.

Without discounts on the mass

Infiniti QX56 is able to give many new sensations even to experienced drivers who have managed large American SUVs for more than a month. Against the background of most of its classmates, the QX56 will seem more dynamic and attentive to the driver’s commands. Both the work of the gearbox and the setting of the chassis demonstrate another step forward. The acceleration dynamics of QX56 corresponds to modern ideas about the dynamic characteristics of top models. Interestingly, at the same time, it is not required to make special efforts. You just need to translate the selector of choosing a full -wheel drive transmission mode to the Auto position, and the gearbox lever to the Drive position and vigorously press the accelerator pedal.

After a moment, the QX56 will rush forward with a thoroughbred growl characteristic of V8 engines. By the way, the electronic gas drive system Drive-by-Wire will also play a role in providing real driver sensations. In part, thanks to her, Infiniti does not show delays in reaction with a sharp press on the pedal. A powerful jump forward will necessarily follow either immediately, or after switching one gear down. Of course, QX56 also received a complete set of active security systems. The dynamic stabilization system will suffer during rebuilding and in corners, and Brake Assist and EBD will come to the rescue of braking. Interestingly, according to factory characteristics, QX56 by 10 hp. more powerful than Armada. But they prefer not to talk about how they achieved this in Infiniti.

Powerful large -sized SUVs are valued not only for dynamic characteristics. They are able to maintain a high pace of movement and on roads with not the best coating. Suitable wheels, a powerful chassis, reliable pendants, although with modern independent architecture, and Infiniti confidently moves on the road, not particularly alarming passengers and clearly withstanding a given trajectory. Here, even a solid mass of the car is very useful, as well as the wheelbase, which significantly exceeded the psychological mark of 3 m. Various modes of operation of all -wheel drive transmission are also interesting. When traveling around the city, it seemed that in 2WD mode (with a drive to the rear wheels) The car is even faster than in Auto. In the same rear -wheel mode, the driver will be able to keep fun of ensuring in the winter in the snow field. Indeed, in this case, Infiniti will have an incredible advantage over the sedans more familiar to such entertainment and sportkup in the form of just a huge road clearance. And Infiniti emphasizes that all the important nodes of the gas tank, the transmission elements and the engine from the bottom are protected by special plates. So when conquering the off -road, only damage to body parts and bumper should be afraid.

Demand is guaranteed

Over the past months, Nissan Pathfinder Armada has been in steady demand in Russia: gray dealers sold several dozen of these cars. There is every reason to believe that Infiniti QX56 will be much more successful. And not only because the potential buyers of Armada were waiting for an more expensive modification from Infiniti. It’s just that QX56 is much better in accordance with our ideas about a solid SUV worth more than 100 thousand dollars. To the best of a conservative appearance, a salon with a richer finish, an Infiniti technique advanced for this class has an excellent set of advantages.

Some technical characteristics Infiniti QX56
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm: 5255x2001x1999
Base, mm: 3129
Equipped mass, kg: 2554
Trunk volume, l: 566/2750
Clearance, mm: 273
Front/behind, mm: 1715/1715
Engine type: gasoline v8
Working volume, cubic meter. See: 5551
Max. Power, L.S./rpm: 315/4900
Max. moment, nm/rpm: 529/3600
Drive: complete
Transmission: automatic 5-band
Tires: 265/70 R18
Max. Speed, km/h: 180
Acceleration time 0-100 km, s: about 7.5 s
Fuel consumption, l/100 km city/highway: 24/16
Top volume, l: 106

Fedor Oldin
 

Source: Avtopanorama magazine