Although the price of large and medium-sized SUVs of luxury brands is not cheap, this market segment is very lively, of course, the competition is also fierce, and many manufacturers occupy a certain market share by reducing prices domestically. Infiniti has also joined the ranks through the domestic QX60.
Modeling design, simply put, is the combination of lines and surfaces, and the difficulty lies in how to combine straight lines, curves, planes and arc surfaces. Straight lines and planes are combined, there will be a feeling of metal carving, which naturally reflects the toughness and performance; curves and arcs are combined, or smooth, rounded, or create a strong muscle-like sense of strength, the latter I think the most typical - at least one - is Infiniti, plus the VQ series engine and the appropriate chassis tuning to bring the rich driving pleasure, not to lose or even exceed the same level of materials, configuration and comfort, Infiniti has become one of the three major japanese luxury car brands that I think has the most distinctive characteristics, especially FX (the predecessor of the QX70, which should be the pioneer of the coupe SUV, at least one) and the QX56 (the predecessor of the QX80), always with its special shape in the traffic flow to catch people's attention, the brand's other models, whether it is a sedan or an SUV, although the price is not low, the exposure on the street is not low.
But that was more than 10 years ago, with the evolution of other brands in design and the application of new technologies, coupled with the luxury brand has more and more models through localization to bring price advantages, Infiniti models in their respective market segments are getting weaker and weaker. At the end of 2014, Infiniti achieved localization, and Dongfeng Infiniti QX50 and Q50 were popular, but they only lasted for one year, and the following sales continued to decline this year. 7 years later, we finally waited for the third Dongfeng Infiniti, that is, QX60, it can be seen that this car shoulders a heavy burden, it not only to improve the production and sales of Dongfeng Infiniti, but also to boost Infiniti's overall brand image, then is its strength enough to carry this burden?
Let's take a look at the shape design that used to be the biggest selling point of the brand. The domestic QX60 is a brand new model that has just been replaced, completely retaining the design elements of the overseas version, in the official information it uses the "oriental design of extraordinary charm" created by "poetry books and paintings", considering that Infiniti was originally a brand launched for the North American market, this statement is a bit strange, but after all, its roots are in Japan, so this is not a gorgeous public relations technique. In terms of overall style, the QX60 has changed significantly from before, mainly because it has applied more straight lines, less muscularity in the past, but it is also more tough, more like a typical SUV than the original typical crossover shape. The most conspicuous front face is the trapezoidal grille as an iconic element of the brand, but the area is larger, the trim is "layered origami shape", with digital piano key segmented LED daytime running lights and tough side air intake outer frame, not only more metallic, but also a high degree of recognition. But on the side, because the D pillar lacks the very graceful zigzag plated trim, the recognition is reduced, but also because the A, B, C and D columns are all black treatment, plus the black roof that has sunk slightly from the top of the A pillar, it still retains a bit of the usual sporty temperament. Another set of highly recognizable elements is the electroplated split bottom shield that echoes the front and rear of the car, but the aesthetics of the car, especially the rear, seem to me to be a piece of the middle that has been dug out - the photo area is indeed obviously concave - always feel that something is missing. The use of more long straight lines is also fully reflected in the rear of the car, including the tail window and tailgate edge, taillights and so on.
Compared with the appearance, the changes in the car are even greater, and the design ideas focus on the four keywords of "simple, wide, hidden and smart": simple layout, spacious riding space, hidden storage space, and clever functions. In the past, the "fleshy" feeling produced by the arc and curve was completely absent, and instead the smooth and transparent surface created by the flat straight surface, but this straightness does not make people feel stiff, warm and luxurious, mainly because of a large number of soft touch, delicate leather and detailed decoration applications, especially the diamond-shaped stitches on the dashboard, which can be reminiscent of luxury brand handbags. The full LCD dashboard, the central control touch screen with just the right size and length and width ratio, the audio with the LCD display and the air-conditioning trackpad fully reflect the sense of technology that a luxury car should have. Also reflecting the sense of science and technology is inTouch 2.0 intelligent interconnection system and ProPILOT L2 level intelligent driver assistance system, the interface is eye-catching, smooth to use, specific to the various functions, and other models are not essentially different, more novel is the same level of rare AR (augmented reality) navigation, it can be the indicator arrow "placed" on the central control screen of the real road screen, in the case of dense traffic or road surface markings are not clear enough to help us find the correct lane earlier and more accurately. However, when it comes to driving assistance, I have to mention that the most dissatisfied point in the QX60 car is the control area on the two spokes on the left and right sides of the steering wheel, and the design and materials are said to belong to the 200,000 yuan class of cars. As for the space, looking at the 5127 mm length and 2900 mm wheelbase alone, it seems a bit reluctant to accommodate the next 3 rows of seats, but Nissan has always been good at creating a large space beyond other models in a similar form factor, so the 3rd row passengers can find a very comfortable sitting position, plus the 3rd row seats seem flat but soft, and the ride feels beyond those 5 (or 4) + 2 models.
AR navigation may not be of much use on highways,
But it will be a good helper in a more congested urban environment.
Such materials and designs do not quite match the positioning of 500,000 luxury cars.
The power system is the biggest change between this generation of QX60 and the previous generation, and it is also one of the main differences between the domestic version and the overseas version: neither the past 2.5 liters of mechanical supercharging hybrid, nor the overseas version of the VQ series 3.5 liter self-priming V6 machine, but the more mainstream 2.0 liter turbo in China, with 9 gears of the hand self-integrated transmission. From the data point of view, the maximum power of 185 kilowatts and the hybrid system is almost the same, much worse than the V6 machine, the maximum torque of 376 Nm is better than the two sets of power units, but the torque peak will not be output until 4400 rpm, far later than the same displacement turbocharger, the actual driving experience is in the low and medium speed bias ... Gentle, coupled with the quality of the preparation is close to two tons, daily use is good, there will be no sense of abruptness, if you want to accelerate overtaking there will be a feeling of "car without heels". This situation will improve when changing to sport mode, but not to the extent of qualitative change. The technical highlight of this machine is the variable compression ratio, and I feel that its main role lies in economy: the fuel consumption of 9.8 liters per 100 kilometers of comprehensive working conditions is commendable for this size and weight. Although the QX60 is not equipped with variable damping technology that relies on magnetorheology or air springs, the adjustment of the front McPherson and rear multi-link suspension is very decent, and the comfort brought by filtering road bumps is very in line with the model positioning. Sound insulation is also very good, coupled with ANC active noise reduction and ASC active noise compensation technology, can fully realize the potential of 17-speaker Bose audio.
Overall, Dongfeng Infiniti QX60 is not perfect, but its comprehensive strength still allows it to fight in the same level of market. But there is still a problem: price. At present, the manufacturer has only announced its pre-sale price, and the 6 configuration levels range from 450,000 yuan to 660,000 yuan, which is slightly embarrassing. For example, the same domestic Lincoln, the Navigator is slightly smaller than it, and there are only 5 seat configurations, but the 2.0T model with similar power and torque is the most expensive less than 400,000 yuan, and the top model of 2.7T is only 480,000 yuan; the aviator has a similar dimension, it is also a 3-row seat, but the wheelbase wins, more importantly, the whole series is equipped with 3.0T V6 machine, and the four-wheel drive model is only 600,000 yuan and 690,000 yuan respectively, and there are adjustable suspensions, which are obviously more attractive. I hope that the QX60 will give us a surprise when it is officially launched.
Specifications
Infiniti QX60
4WD Ultimate Edition
Pre-price: 660,000 yuan
Engine: 1970~1997mL
In-line 4-cylinder turbocharged
Maximum power:
185kW(252ps)
@5600rpm
Maximum torque: 376Nm
@4400rmp
Transmission: 9-stop hand in one
Length/Width/Height:
5127/2005/1767mm
Wheelbase: 2900mm
Curb weight: 2171kg
Drive mode: front-mounted four-wheel drive
Braking system (front/rear):
Ventilated discs/ventilated discs
Suspension system (front/rear):
McPherson/Multi link
Tire: 255/50 R20
Maximum speed: N/A
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: N/A
Comprehensive fuel consumption: 9.8L/100km
Text/Shang Hongxin Photo/Shang Hongxin, INFINITI