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Carsales Staff11 Jul 2015
NEWS

Four new Infinitis here within a year

Infiniti Australia to release everything from a full-size SUV to a small hatch and SUV by mid-2016

Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti will emerge from its slumber in no uncertain terms by releasing no fewer than four new models in Australia by this time next year, including two all-new volume-selling compact models.

The last new Infiniti released here was the mid-size Q50 sedan in February 2014, followed by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol variant last September, but the Japanese prestige brand's new model hiatus ends this month with the release of the QX70 S Design limited-edition large SUV and all-new QX80 full-size SUV.

Early next year Infiniti Australia will finally land the facelifted Q70 large sedan revealed back at the 2014 New York motor show followed late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter by the all-new Q30 hatchback.

Due to make its world debut at the Frankfurt show in September, Infiniti's new entry model — and its first direct rival for the top-selling Mercedes-Benz A-Class with which it shares its platform — will not be fast-tracked as previously hoped.

However, the good news for Infiniti Australia is that the closely related compact QX30 crossover will follow the Q30 hatch on sale here by just two to three months, meaning it will be in local showrooms by mid-2016.

Similarly, the QX30, which was previewed at this year's Geneva show in concept form, will be a direct competitor for popular small premium SUVs like the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA.

Finally, making it five new or all-new models by the end of next year, Infiniti Australia will launch the next-generation Q60 coupe in the fourth quarter of 2016, potentially powered by the Q60 concept's twin-turbo V6 and perhaps even V8 engines.

Based on the Q50 four-door, the mid-size Q60 two-door (previously known as the G37 Coupe) will rival the BMW 4 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Lexus RC coupes, and could be followed by a convertible to replace the G37 Convertible.

Further afield, Infiniti is planning a new flagship model based on the imposing Q80 Inspiration sports limousine concept shown at last year's Paris show.

  • What's coming from Infiniti:
  • QX 70 S Design large SUV – July

  • QX80 upper large SUV – July

  • Q70 large sedan facelift – Q1 2016

  • Q30 hatch – Q2 2016

  • QX30 small crossover – mid-2016

  • Q60 mid-size coupe – Q4 2016

  • Q60 mid-size convertible – TBC

  • Q80 limousine – TBC

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