Options Infiniti

In the fast lane... With The Hydraulic Body Motion Control in place, changing lanes becomes a lot easier I am yet to get my head around what the concept of the premium SUV segment is. There are a lot of premium brands out there with the best designs and the most efficient engine and transmission designs that deliver more than enough power to climb a really big dune in one go. Sadly though, many of them also have bodies that allow for anything but off-road use.

So is the premium SUV segment only about vehicles that boast a lot of space and are loaded with gadgets? I would think that the extra engine power and torque could be put to better use on a road-going sports sedan which has a big advantage over any SUV as the laws of nature allow it to handle better because of the lower centre of gravity.
That said, I must admit that driving a large and powerful SUV makes you feel good – having a lot of power at your disposal in a large road-going SUV that can carry a lot of luggage and people is definitely not bad at all. Which brings me to Nissan’s latest offering – the 2011 Infiniti QX56.

A step ahead

The previous generation of the QX56 looked a lot different. It was not even based on the same platform as Nissan’s flagship SUV, the Patrol. The 2011 QX56 is a complete revision and is based on the 2010 Nissan Patrol. Just before the launch of the QX at the Emirates Towers in September, I wondered how different the QX could be from the Patrol. The 2010 Patrol had all the modern luxuries that any latest SUV driver would want. In addition, it boasts great off-road capabilities. “What more could the Infiniti model offer?”, I wondered. I was in for a pleasant surprise. Last week, I was offered a test drive of the new QX and one of the first things I noticed was how the tail lights and the bonnet differed from the Patrol. The Infiniti-looking headlights and tail lights and the bulge on the bonnet gave it the look of a monster ready to take off. The other thing I noticed was the large wheels to go with the large body. (The 2011 QX comes with 22 inch wheels.)

A look inside

The overall stance of the SUV is very similar to that of the Patrol, but with the Infiniti touch. The interiors also bear a striking resemblance to those of the Patrol.

The dashboard layout has very minor differences such as the Infiniti clock in the centre and a slightly different shade for the wood trims. The seats feel and look a bit different too, owing to the higher quality of leather used and the Infiniti emblem.

The 2011 Infiniti QX56 is primarily intended for road use and very minimal off-road use and this is evident from the low front fenders and the lack of the various specific 4x4 modes available on its cousin, the Patrol. The QX comes with basic 4x4 functions only and a separate mode for driving on snow.

The drive

There is a lot of gadgetry available on the new QX and unlike most modern SUVs, most of them are useful.

The Hydraulic Body Motion Control ensures that the SUV handles with minimum body roll, especially while changing lanes and around curves. This feature is also very handy in the desert. The lane change assist on the Infiniti is a feature that I tried out many times during the test drive.

I was impressed with the way the SUV detects an unintentional lane change and variably uses the brakes to get it back on track.

This works when one attempts a gradual lane change without using the turn indicators.
A point that must be stressed here is that although the technology is impressive, it is not a substitute for the attention that the driver needs to pay while driving.

These advanced features are intended to be used as warning signals. They do not mean the drivers can shirk their responsibilities.

The radar-assisted cruise is efficient as well and unlike most cars, is capable of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, depending on the distance it has with the vehicle in front. This again is not a replacement for the attentive use of brakes required while driving.

Power packed

The QX56 comes with a 5.6 litre engine that outputs 400bhp and 543 Nm of torque for the VVEL spec engine. Although the engine is 25 per cent more powerful than the 5.6 litre engine on the 2010 QX56, it is 12 per cent more fuel efficient. Gasoline engines have come a long way in terms of efficiency and emissions over the past years. We find engines getting larger, more efficient and more powerful every year.

Verdict

Highway driving is what I feel the new QX is designed for. It feels very comfortable and stable and, most importantly, can carry a lot of people and stuff in style and luxury. The entertainment options available to the passengers are impressive as well, with TV screens at the rear capable of displaying content independently.

Curtain A/C vents above the rear windows prevent the harsh sunlight from heating up the cabin, especially in summer.

Passenger comfort is what I think the QX is all about in this segment. The gadgetry and functionality may be similar to what’s available on the Nissan Patrol, but where the Infiniti does differ is in offering all that power, refinement and innovation to enthusiasts who want a road going SUV that’s based on a legendary 4x4 with a pinch of extra luxury and road presence. In my opinion, the 2011 QX56 that’s priced at around Dh310,000 does just that!

 Philip Shane is a Dubai-based motoring enthusiast and a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, UK