Infiniti JX35, Now the QX60, Gains Hybrid Variant for 2014 [2013 New York Auto Show]

The three-row luxury crossover formerly known as JX35. Infiniti's JX35 crossover only just hit the market this year, but already the automaker has announced a name change and the addition of a new hybrid model, which will debut at the 2013 New York auto show. The name change is hardly surprising—for 2014, all Infinitis will switch to the brand's new Q-centric naming scheme, which sees every car model name start with a Q and every crossover and SUV moniker begin with QX. In the case of the JX, the crossover will henceforth be known as the QX60; the hybrid version, unsurprisingly, will carry the QX60 hybrid name. Why QX60? Because the smaller FX37/FX50 will become the QX50 and the larger QX56 becomes the QX70, that's why. The QX60 hybrid is pretty noteworthy considering it will be the first U.S.-market recipient of parent company Nissan's next-generation four-cylinder-based hybrid system. The semi-exotic (for a hybrid, anyway) powertrain mixes a supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. The motor is sandwiched between the engine and a CVT, and a pair of clutches meter the electric motor's contribution to the system. In the QX60 hybrid, a lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the third-row seat provides juice to the electric motor, and is replenished by way of a regenerative-braking setup. Instrumented Test: 2013 Infiniti JX35 AWD Instrumented Test: 2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid Photos and Info: 2014 Infiniti Q50 Infiniti claims total output will be in the neighborhood of 250 horsepower, with the electric motor contributing 20 horsepower; the engine's output hasn't yet been revealed. Fuel-economy stands to improve by a claimed 24 percent over the regular, V-6–powered QX60, and Infiniti expects the hybrid will net 26-mpg combined. Final pricing has yet to be announced, but Infiniti is looking to ask for roughly $3000 more for the QX60 hybrid than for the gas-only model, which, barring any major price increases, should put the QX60′s base price just dearer than $45,000. More details will be revealed at the New York show later this month. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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