Infiniti QX56 test drive since 2010 SUV
First Test: New Infiniti QX56 overcomes difficulties
Ask any smart -grader what happened to dinosaurs, and he will tell you that they turned into birds. The mechanism of this transformation, of course, is somewhat more complicated than the trimming of finches in the nest of mothers with a tyrannosaurus, but in general, modern science adheres to this particular theory. When we studied at school, the belief was widespread that all these huge lizards said goodbye to the life through the efforts of a meteorite the size of an elephant that crashed into the ground. In our textbooks on natural science, this was called massive extinction and was supplemented by colorful illustrations at which herds of thoughtful bronzaurians and tricratops are looked into the distance, where a piece of the orange sky falls beyond the horizon. So we cannot be accused of that we think that SUV will go along the same path of development. When gas prices inexorably crawled up, many rejoiced at the upcoming extinction of frame cars. Some of them have patiently waited for this moment since the same supporters of high cars for the first time supplied minivans in the family cars. While we observed the extinction of weaker species under pressure more powerful, the most persistent continued to fight, slowly adapting to the rules of the game in the world hostile to everything large and insatiable. If you believe Infiniti, this is what happened to the QX56, it evolved.
Ask Infiniti, why they started the development of the third generation QX in general, and they will politely answer that their average buyer prefers the latest and expensive luxury cars. The average age of the buyer QX56 is 45 years, which for as many as 7 years less than the average age of consumers of all premium cars in the country. Nissan’s luxury department believes that this model is a kind of light drug, the guarantor that the flow of visitors to their showrooms will not run out even after a few years.
Instead of completely leaving the abbreviated segment of full -size SUV, Infiniti equipped its flagship QX56 with a completely new filling. Now it is built on the basis of the indestructible Nissan Patrol, which replaced the Nissan Armada platform. The replacement did not lead to a change in the size of the third generation qx in any direction, except for the vertical. The new generation has a wheelbase almost identical to the 2010 model year, although a newcomer is 76 mm lower due to the modified roof fastening system. But even despite this, there are still plenty of space over the head.
In this segment, a diet is not welcome, so that it is unlikely that anyone’s jaw will sag from the news that this big man did not lose weight by an inch. Another thing is surprising: Infiniti allowed the appearance of QX to become similar to the G and M model. The hard lines characteristic of Armada gave way to more smooth bends and contours. There is no more breathtaking radiator grill, instead of it we see a familiar double arch, which harmonizes with other details of the exterior of the car. QX56 received low -set headlights from the previous generation, although now they have become more streamlined and smooth. In the photographs, the car resembles a beloved Chita Belachu, although in general it looks surprisingly fresh.
At first glance, the air ducts over the arches attract attention. Partly strange, partly inappropriate, and unequivocally lupid. The one that is located from the driver's side, at least carries functionality, leading air to the motor, but his twin brother from the passenger is made exclusively by symmetry for the sake of. We are not entirely sure that we could do better, being in the place of QX56 developers, but these air ducts look like they were removed from an old Buick. According to Infiniti, when developing the QX56 interior, a chic private plane was taken as a basis. We would gladly tell you whether this comparison is fair or not, but to be honest, never in life we \u200b\u200bwere close to such luxury at least for a kilometer. We can only note that if you are lucky to be inside a multimillion -dollar private liner at a height of several kilometers above sea level, then, we hope, its salon will be as pleasant as that of the new Infiniti. The front seats QX have an infinite number of settings and adjustments, making a real pleasure in them. Even in this price segment, automakers, such as Cadillac, sin in that they put in luxury models the seats covered with high -quality skin from less prestigious models. In Infiniti sitting as comfortable as you can imagine.
Infiniti designers went further and threw all the hard plastic from the cabin, replacing it with an abundance of skin and other materials pleasant to the touch. The central console is finished with the same soft skin as the seats, with the same magnificent firmware. Between the control buttons, patterned wood flaunts clearly exotic origin, complemented by accents from chromium in the most correct places. There is nothing shocking or inappropriate on the front panel, everything is very ergonomically and extremely clear.
One of the most useful devices here is undoubtedly the Around View Monitor monitor, which is stably found in all Infiniti for the past couple of years. The system involves five cameras located around the perimeter of the body and helping the QX56 driver to navigate in space relative to surrounding objects. If it seems to you that this is a useless feature, we suggest you visit the nearest Infiniti dealer and test it. In fact, it greatly facilitates parking, entering a narrow garage and towing the trailer in limited space.
QX56 is a comfortable 7- or 8-seater private plane, partly due to the fact that the second row of seats can consist of two chairs and a console between them, instead of a standard sofa. Infiniti managed to increase the legs of passengers of the second row to 104 cm, thereby surpassing the nearest opponent, Mercedes-Benz GL450, 3.8 cm. Even if a tall basketball player is behind the wheel, there will be plenty of space even for a long-legged fashion model. In 2011, this SUV will also receive an electric drive of the rear passenger seat. Press the button, and your passengers easily and at ease fall into the third row or come out of there.
In continuation of the conversation about the third row of Infiniti seats, she developed a new electric drive system that completely folds the third row to free the additional luggage space. It can not be called fast, but thanks to it you do not waste time on all these belts, levers and latches. The back of the third row is also equipped with an electrical adjustment of the angle of inclination, which makes it more suitable for transporting full -fledged adult passengers. You still do not want to spend more than an hour on the third row, but children 8-12 years old will have plenty of space there. In general, the interior is well decorated, regardless of what row you are on. But we still found what to complain about. We would prefer more understandable buttons on the steering wheel. So, a cruise control is controlled by as many as five buttons and levers, so at high speed you can hardly use them. In addition, Infiniti engineers decided to set up the control of the rear -view mirrors in the area of \u200b\u200bthe left knee of the driver, and not on the door panel. We all erupted while we tuned the side mirrors, as it should.
Leaving the side mirrors alone, we plunged into traffic, and only here we realized what a huge work was done to revive the third generation of QX56. Having switched to the Nissan Patrol platform, the engineers managed to reduce the equipped mass of a big man by almost 73 kg. Add a 5.6-liter V8 here with a direct injection with a capacity of 400 hp. And 560 Nm of torque and get a car with a very independent character.
Infiniti claims that in addition to the working volume, this motor has nothing to do with the power plant qx 2010 model year. Despite the additional 80 hp. and 27 Nm torque, a new engine according to ERA is 14% more economical than its predecessor. This means that owners can count on consumption in the region of 16.8 liters per 100 km in the city and 11.7 liters on the highway. Not a particularly impressive result, although, for example, Toyota Prius will not get 3,855 kg.
Such fuel consumption indicators are partly due to the fact that Infiniti added three additional gears to the QX transmission. This new seven -speed box allows a large V8 to breathe freely at high speeds. Also, the 2011 model will be equipped with a modified all -wheel drive system. Under normal road conditions, the entire engine power enters the rear axle, if necessary, up to 50% of the torque can be transferred to the front wheels. The driver can still forcibly fix the 50%distribution of the moment along the axes using the Four-High button, and the Four-Low button, as before, will help you get out of very difficult situations if you suddenly decide to turn off the access gravel paths .
The transition to the Nissan Patrol platform gave Infiniti engineers one more advantage: rigidity. The company boasts that its high SUV is less prone to body rolls than most luxury sedans, partly due to 26% of torsion hardness and frame. It is less flexible, even if you are not going to drive QX56 on the slalom track. Those who want to part with the additional $ 5,800 per package of Deluxe Touring Package options will be able to
enjoy the so -called Hydraulic Body Motion Control System (a hydraulic body control system) are two tanks with liquid in the front and back parts of the car, in which it shimmers from side to side, reducing the rolls and vibration. We do not cunning, claiming that the difference between how ordinary SUV and QX behave on the road is simply huge. All these numbers look impressive, in total, meaning that QX56 rides more like a large sedan, and not a brutal jeep of impressive sizes. The power of the finalized V8 is more than enough, the car responds with hunting to the gall -drilled gaze, developing high speed and demonstrating an almost imperceptible transmission. Due to the reduced height of the body, the machine seems more stable in comparison with the previous QX assembled on the Armada basis, and you soon find that you are going through steep turns at higher speed than you can imagine. In a car of this size, we would like to detect a more communicative steering steering the steering wheel turned out to be too nervous and uninformative, which is why the car constantly walked in the most terrible way. Again, the brakes, very powerful, are controlled by a pedal that does not cause any confidence in its reliability. We did not expect from QX the characteristics of a sports car, but a little accuracy still did not bother anyone.
For our money, QX56 looks like a suitable option. For the 2011 model, engineers developed camouflage, which is necessary for survival in a world where crossovers become dominant, although its basic value remained at the 2010 model (the new QX in monotive equipment will cost in the United States $ 56,700). It is more comfortable, controlled and economical, more powerful than its ancestors. Perhaps the day will come when the QX is mutating from the frame monster, which we know and love, to something lighter, but we hope that we will not force this stage of its evolution.
Source: Autoblog
