2015 INFINITI QX50 Press Kit

The 2015 INFINITI Q50 (formerly known as the INFINITI EX) features a 325-horsepower 3.7-litre V6. The QX50 comes equipped with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission and INFINITI's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system - standard.

INFINITI QX50 model includes  Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, RearView Monitor, Intelligent Key with Push-Button Ignition, Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control system, Premium textured leather-appointed seating and power heated front seats.

"The INFINITI QX50 is available with nearly all of the innovative technologies found in the INFINITI QX70 – such as Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Cruise Control and Intelligent Brake Assist with Forward Collision Warning – but in a more personal package," said Stephen McDonnell, Managing Director, INFINITI Canada. "Add in enhanced performance from the 3.7-litre V6, user-friendly functional utility, rewarding style and comfort, and access to a 24-hour personal concierge and you've got one of the best overall crossover packages on the market today."

Coupe-Inspired Exterior

The QX50's sculpted elegance expresses a timeless appeal – sleek lines that portray speed, grace and finesse. Its layout combines the look and feel of a luxury coupe and an SUV's flexibility. Its sporty proportions include a long hood, short front and rear overhangs, rearward cabin and smooth coupe-like roofline arching over the windows to the C-pillars.

"The QX50 is the perfect fusion of a luxury coupe and a high-utility SUV," said McDonnell. "Its 'right-sized' packaging gives it excellent around-town maneuverability, while the wide rear hatch and low load floor make it a versatile performer for everyday and weekend use."

QX50's exterior includes many signature INFINITI touches, including a double-arch grille, large L-shaped headlights with available Bi-Xenon Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), integrated fog lights, distinctive LED taillights and "dynamic arch" profile. Other exterior features include a high-mounted rear hatchback spoiler, chrome-finished dual exhaust tips, available power tilt/sliding moonroof with one-touch activation and standard roof rails and crossbars, which offer additional storage possibilities. The 2015 QX50 also features a standard puddle lamp integrated in the side-view mirror as part of the hospitality lighting concept.

Six exterior colours are offered: Malbec Black, Aspen Pearl, Platinum Ice, Black Obsidian, Asgard Grey and Sangria Red.

Elegant Interior Design

Like all INFINITI vehicles, the QX50 was conceived to offer a reinvigorating and engaging interior environment, one that is both indulgent and inspiring. The driver-focused "wave-inspired" cabin layout features an INFINITI signature "double-wave" instrument panel, easy-to-read high-contrast gauges with white-and-violet illumination and hospitality lighting with a pin LED light mounted over the centre console and INFINITI-signature analog clock.

The instrument panel also features a 7-inch colour display with INFINITI controller for the trip computer and additional vehicle information, including the available INFINITI Hard Drive-based Navigation System

Other technology systems include standard Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, INFINITI Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, USB Connection Port with Interface System for iPod, XM Satellite Radio and standard Rear View Monitor. Front and rear sonar system are available as well as Distance Control Assist (DCA), Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Bose® Premium Audio System, 11 speakers including 2 subwoofers, Single CD in-dash changer and Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) which  uses an air purifier with Plasmacluster technology to help reduce pollutants in the cabin.

The interior is offered with leather-appointed seating surfaces, available in Wheat, Graphite, and Chestnut leather appointments. There is also a leather and aluminum shift knob, and leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for audio, cruise control, voice commands and Lane Departure Prevention (if equipped). Dual-zone automatic temperature control is standard.

An 8-way power driver's seat with 2-way manual lumbar support and a 4-way power passenger's seat and heated front seats are standard. A driver's seat memory system (2 positions) is offered, along with available 8-way power front passenger's seat. Also available is a 60/40 split Power up-folding second-row seats (operated from front or hatch area).

"The QX50's interior is all about driving pleasure and passenger comfort," said McDonnell. "Like the exterior, it offers a coupe-like feel but surprising utility – ideal for today's active lifestyles."

Advanced Platform and Powertrain

Under the QX50's dramatic body is an equally advanced platform and powertrain based on the latest INFINITI performance technology. Its advanced FM platform provides the same high levels of handling precision and balance as it does for the INFINITI Q70, QX70 and the INFINITI Q60 Coupe and Convertible.

Every 2015 INFINITI QX50 comes standard with a VQ37HR 3.7-litre V6 engine rated at 325-horsepower and 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, DS sport mode with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM), and Adaptive Shift Control.

The engine block features ladder frame construction, variable exhaust cam timing (CVTCS), asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors and Iridium spark plugs. Its symmetric twin ram air intake system helps reduce airflow resistance, while the dual exhaust system has been designed with equal length exhaust manifolds and reduced muffler exhaust pressure to help improve engine breathing. Both are tuned to create authoritative harmonies, helping enhance driving pleasure, and creating an exciting engine sound.

The VQ engine design also includes a long list of advanced systems found on the previous design – including a "noiseless" timing chain for quiet operation, an electronically controlled "drive-by-wire" throttle system, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, and molybdenum coated lightweight pistons.

Every 2015 QX50 utilizes a subframe-mounted independent front strut with coil spring suspension with aluminum-alloy upper and lower links, high-performance dual-flow pass shock absorbers and stabilizer bar. The rear suspension is an independent multi-link design with aluminum-alloy upper and lower links and axle housing, high-performance dual-flow pass shock absorbers and stabilizer bar.

Steering is provided by a vehicle speed-sensitive power-assisted steering system with power-assisted front and rear discs (vented front) and standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Also standard is Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS), while an advanced Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) is optionally available.

Available wheel and tire combinations include: Standard 18-inch 8-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with P225/55 R18 tires or optional 19-inch 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with P245/45 R19 tires.

The 2015 QX50 features INFINITI's ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system, which is also utilized on the Q50, Q60 Coupe, Q70 and QX70. The system utilizes an active torque distribution management system with an active centre clutch designed for smooth starts and better traction and maneuverability on snowy roads than conventional all-wheel drive systems, plus minimal compromise of rear-wheel drive performance characteristics on dry roads.

QX50 fuel economy is rated at 13.7L/100km City and 9.7L/100km Hwy.

Advanced Safety Technologies

Several technologies designed to enhance safety and control is available on the 2015 QX50, including: Around View™ Monitor (AVM) with Front and Rear Sonar System, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Distance Control Assist (DCA), Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) and Blind Spot Warning (BSW).

The QX50's advanced Around View® Monitor utilizes four small cameras located front, side and rear to give the driver a "top-down view" of the outside of the vehicle and help reduce blind spots when parking.

Distance Control Assist is designed to help reduce driver workload in irregular traffic flows, such as city driving or urban/suburban highway driving. A laser rangefinder system is used to locate preceding vehicles and calculate the distance and closing rate. Visual, physical and audible feedback helps bring attention to increasing risk and the mechanism also assists with braking action. The DCA system can be easily switched on or off to easily suit individual driver preferences.

The Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) system warns the driver with a warning light and chimes when there is a risk of collision with the vehicle ahead in the travelling lane. The driver then knows to take avoidance action immediately. The system helps reduce the rear-end collision speed by applying the brakes when the system judges that the collision cannot be prevented.

The Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system is also available. It illuminates an indicator light if another vehicle is detected in the blind spot area. If the driver then activates the turn signal, the indicator flashes and an audible warning sounds.

In addition to these, the QX50's advanced technology design also includes the INFINITI Around View Monitor and the Lane Departure Prevention system (available on select packages). The INFINITI Around View Monitor utilizes small front, side and rear-mounted cameras to project an all-around view of potential objects on every side of the vehicle – helping reduce blind spots when parking.

"Conventional mirrors, no matter how carefully you use them, just can't provide a view around the vehicle that the Around View Monitor's four-camera system does," said McDonnell. "Rear bumper sonar systems help detect objects behind a vehicle, but again they can't give the view of the space around the vehicle that the AVM does."

The Lane Departure Prevention system builds on the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system. Rather than just use an audible/visual warning system to alert the driver of unintentional vehicle movement outside the designated lane, the LDP system uses the vehicle's Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system to help assist the driver in maintaining lane position if the vehicle inadvertently starts to drift outside of the lane.

Both LDP and the LDW systems use a small camera installed behind the windshield to detect visible lane markers in front of the vehicle and calculate its position relative to lane markers and warn the driver of lane drift (pending lane change without use of the turn signal) with a visual display and audible buzzer. At the same time, the LDP system assists the driver by using gentle control (generating part of the necessary yaw movement), using the VDC's brake actuator to control the brake pressure of each individual wheel to generate the intended movement.

Every 2015 QX50 also features the INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification system, driver and front passenger side-impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bags for front and rear seat outboard occupant head protection, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Also standard are 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's side ELR only) and front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors, front seat Active Head Restraints and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system for the rear outboard seating positions.

QX50 also features advanced Zone Body Construction with front and rear crushable zones to help disperse crash energy around the passenger compartment.

Models and Packages

The 2015 INFINITI QX50 is available in an entry-level version and has four optional packages: Journey, Premium, Navigation and Technology.

The standard model contains many of INFINITI's safety and convenience features and includes a USB Connection Port with Interface Systems for iPod users, Bluetooth Hands-Free phone system, RearView Monitor, Intelligent Key with Push-Button Ignition, Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control system, Premium textured leather-appointed seating and power heated front seats.

The 2015 Journey package includes maple interior accents, auto-dimming inside mirror, Power tilt and telescopic steering column and Power sliding tinted glass moonroof with one touch auto-open/close, tilt feature and sliding sunshade.

The 2015 Premium package includes High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon auto-leveling headlights with Adaptive Front lighting System, a Bose Premium Audio System with 11 speakers, two subwoofers, and the Around View Monitor including front and rear sonar systems. It also includes the Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with Auto Recirculation, Grape Polyphenol Filter and Plasmacluster™ technologies and 19" wheels and tires are standard on the Premium package.

The 2015 Navigation Package includes the INFINITI Hard Drive Navigation System, Voice Recognition for HVAC, Audio and Navigation, In-dash single disc DVD Audio Drive and Bluetooth® Streaming Audio.

The 2015 Technology Package features Distance Control Assist (DCA), Intelligent Brake Assist, Lane Departure Prevention System (LDP) with Lane Departure Warning System (LDW) Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

"This 2015 QX50 returns as simply an extraordinary vehicle, providing a personal reward for those who drive and own it," said McDonnell. "With power and agility available on demand, it's a perfect fit for buyers looking to add a little excitement in their everyday lives."

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