Are we spotting some trends here?

— Many hot new cars debuted at Pebble Beach this year

— White over black is the sexiest style of 2014 and 2015, by far

— Infiniti is keeping it fresh with new S packages for the Q60 coupe and QX70 crossovers

Trned-spotting this latest convergence of car brand marketing also offers a bit of insight into how quickly car brands can take an idea to market. Lexus with the Crafted Line of five models in white/black definitely shows a rapid-fire way to get sexy machines into showrooms ASAP, while even staid old Lincoln is offering a black-chrome wheel style on the new Navigator.

Infiniti’s upgrades for the new-for-2015 QX70S are really actually very thorough. What looks like gloss and sheen-rich black accents around the exterior is actually a mix of dark black pieces and black chrome elements. This creates a bit more shimmer on sunny days, and a bit more visual depth and premium execution versus a DIY rattle-can job.

The QX70S is rich in visual tweaks with this Sport Package that also brings standard adaptive headlights, cooled front seats and 21-inch alloy wheels. A close look at the dark grille shows the black-chrome elements in each horizontal bar’s leading edge, and is also visible on the vender vent. It looks great paired with the gloss-black mirrors and even the roof rack. Good stuff, but will Macan buyers be swayed by these tweaks?

That remains to be seen — but they surely help update the QX70 in the face of new competition for sporty SUV shoppers spending about $50,000.

2015 INFINITI QX70S

 

 

 

2015 Infiniti QX70

The Infiniti QX70, Infiniti’s iconic performance crossover, continues to embody all things Infiniti – premium design, craftsmanship, performance and innovative technology. For 2015, the QX70 is offered in two models – QX70 3.7 and QX70 3.7 AWD.

Also available are four special equipment packages: Premium Package, Deluxe Touring Package, Technology Package and a new Sport Package, which offers unique dark finish exterior accents, 21-inch dark finish aluminum-alloy wheels, Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) and climate-controlled front sport seats.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP)* for the 2015 Infiniti QX70 are:

Model	Engine/Drive	MSRP
QX70	3.7-liter V6 / RWD	$45,850 USD
QX70 AWD	3.7-liter V6 / AWD	$47,300 USD

^{Destination and Handling $995 USD}

• New Sport Package added with unique dark finish exterior accents, 21-inch dark finish aluminum-alloy wheels, sport seats with contrast stitching, genuine magnesium paddle shifters

• Offered in two models: QX70 and QX70 AWD

• QX70 5.0 AWD no longer available

• Available now

2015 Infiniti QX70 Offers Elevated Design Expression, Luxurious Versatility and Innovative Technologies

Infiniti’s Legendary Performance Crossover Features Available Moving Object Detection System, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, Sports Interior

The Infiniti QX70, Infiniti’s iconic performance crossover, continues to prove that luxury doesn’t have to be dull – in look, interior indulgences or the driving experience. For 2015, the QX70 is offered in two models – QX70 and QX70 AWD with Infiniti Intelligent All-Wheel Drive – each featuring a 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 with VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) and a responsive 7-speed automatic transmission.

Also available are four special equipment packages: Premium Package, Deluxe Touring Package, Technology Package and the Sport Package, which offers unique dark finish exterior accents, 21-inch dark finish aluminum-alloy wheels and sport seats.

Aggressive, Pure Infiniti Style
The 2015 QX70 continues to stand out from cookie-cutter luxury crossovers with aggressive aerodynamic styling. The sleek body features a long hood, stretched wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs. The design’s distinctive side air vents, located behind the front wheels, allow air to flow through the engine compartment and out the side of the vehicle, reducing front-end lift. The bold front grille and fascia design are framed by signature High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights and standard fog lights.

The QX70’s aggressive silhouette is highlighted by a strong front-to-rear shoulder line, tight greenhouse, kicked-back roofline and integrated rear spoiler, while its large LED taillights extend beyond the body, helping create aerodynamic downforce. Large dual exhaust outlets with chrome finishers cap the action-ready appearance.

The special QX70 Sport Package provides an added level of stealthy performance appearance with a dark finish front grille with dark finish upper and lower surrounds, and dark finish fog light surrounds, outside mirror housings, side air vents, lower side moldings, roof rails, and upper and lower trunk finishers

The Infiniti QX70 is offered in eight exterior colors: Graphite Shadow, Malbec Black, Umbria Twilight, Liquid Platinum, Black Obsidian, Midnight Mocha, Moonlight White and Iridium Blue.

Under the polished, assertive exterior is an equally advanced body structure, offering room for five adults and the capacity to hold four full-size golf bags.  QX70 utilizes the rigid FM (for Front Midship) platform architecture, with a balanced front-to-rear weight distribution to help provide exceptional handling performance. Weight reduction and body strengthening efforts include the use of aluminum doors and hood. 

The Infiniti QX70’s interior includes a command center-style cockpit designed to enhance the driving experience. The high-tech interior design includes an Infiniti signature double-wave instrument panel and Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges.

The standard leather-appointed front seats offer 10-way driver’s side (including power lumbar)/8-way passenger side power adjustments and are available with a heating and cooling function for maximum comfort in any season. Heated front seats are standard on all models. The available driver’s sport seat, offered with the Sport Package, adds power-adjustable side bolsters and a manual thigh extension, allowing the driver to tailor the fit for comfort and driving support.

The Sport Package also includes a dark color headliner and contrasting stitching for steering wheel, automatic transmission shifter boot, front and rear seats, front center console armrest, front and rear armrests and inside door pulls.

The Premium Package includes an automatic driving position system, which moves the steering wheel and outside mirrors adaptively into the correct position when the seat is adjusted – allowing the driver to change the seat position and keep the same mirror viewpoint and relationship between the steering column and driver’s shoulder position.

The interior’s array of comfort and convenience equipment ranges from a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob to dual front and rear cupholders, four 12-volt power outlets, power windows with front one-touch auto-up/down function, power door locks and available tonneau cover and aluminum pedal accents. 

Hospitality features include the Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and Sequential Welcome Lighting Illuminated Entry system that starts with turning on the outside mirror courtesy lights as the driver approaches the vehicle and continues to light key areas as driver and passengers settle into the interior. Three available interior colors are offered: Wheat, Graphite and Java.

Every 2015 Infiniti QX70 comes equipped with an advanced Bose® Premium Audio system, acoustically engineered to optimize sound within the interior. The system features 11-speakers, an AM/FM/CD player and USB connection port for iPod® Interface and other compatible devices. 

Also standard are SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), diversity antenna and steering wheel-mounted remote audio controls.

The advanced Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System – available with the Premium Package – features NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeather with Real-Time Weather Information (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®, along with an Infiniti Voice Recognition system for navigation and audio systems. 

Advanced 3.7-liter V6 VVEL Engine
All 2015 QX70s come equipped with an advanced 3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with Infiniti’s Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL) valve control technology, which continuously adjusts valve timing and lift amounts, enabling higher fuel efficiency with higher torque and improved emissions over conventional variable valve designs. The VVEL intake camshafts, which feature continuously variable lift control teamed with a Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS), allow for a 6,800-rpm redline.

The engine includes an aluminum block and heads and electronically controlled throttle system and has been tuned specifically for use in the QX70. The engine is rated at 325-horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. Along with VVEL, the advanced V6 engine design also features a silent timing chain for quiet operation, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, and resin-coated lightweight pistons, a dual exhaust system with equal length exhaust manifolds and low muffler exhaust pressure to help improve engine breathing.

Only one transmission is offered – a refined 7-speed transmission that features a wide ratio of coverage and wide lock-up area, as well as a manual shift mode, Downshift Rev Matching and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). The standard ASC system adapts the transmission’s shift timing depending on driving style. Solid magnesium paddle shifters are available with the Sport Package, while Infiniti’s advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system with Traction Control System (TCS) is standard on all models.

The QX70 AWD model comes equipped with Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, which uses an advanced torque split control strategy that automatically redistributes torque to the wheels (0:100 up to 50:50 front to rear) according to road and driving conditions.

An independent suspension is utilized at all four corners, with a double-wishbone suspension design in front and a multi-link design in the rear.  Large-diameter stabilizer bars are found front and rear. The suspension system also incorporates special Dual Flow Path® shock absorber technology with rebound springs for responsive yet comfortable ride and firm, tight handling.

Braking is provided by 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).

Every QX70 comes standard with 18-inch 10-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with 265/60R18 all-season tires, while unique five-spoke 20-inch wheels are offered as part of the Deluxe Touring Package. The Sport Package features 21×9.5-inch Enkei six-spoke dark finish aluminum-alloy wheels with 265/45R21 all-season tires.

Advanced Technology and Safety Systems
Along with its distinctive appearance, luxurious interior and stellar performance credentials, the 2015 QX70 offers a unique perspective on the world with its Around View® Monitor with Moving Objection Detection (MOD) and Front and Rear Sonar System – one of many available advanced technologies.

The Around View® Monitor system, which is available as part of the Premium Package, utilizes four small superwide-angle cameras – mounted on the front, sides and rear of the QX70 – to provide a virtual 360° view of objects around the vehicle, helping the driver see to maneuver it in tight spots. The system uses advanced image processing to combine the images from the four cameras and provide a unique “Bird’s Eye View” of the vehicle’s surroundings.

Moving Object Detection builds on the capabilities of the AVM system, helping enhance the driver’s situational awareness by providing visual and audible warnings (front or back range object detection) if the system detects large moving objects (such as another vehicle) within the displayed image in situations such as when pulling out of a parking space. Using sophisticated image processing technology, the system detects moving objects within the “top view” (when the vehicle is in Park). When starting off or backing up, it detects moving objects crossing within the front or rear views.

The 2015 QX70 is also available with Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) system with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) uses the laser sensor unit from the Intelligent Cruise Control’s (ICC) system and continuously monitors and analyzes closing speeds to a vehicle ahead. IBA will warn the driver if it determines a frontal collision is imminent. If the driver does not respond to the warning and the collision can no longer be avoided, IBA will automatically engage the brakes to help reduce the impact speed and thus help mitigate the consequences of the accident.

In addition, an available Distance Control Assist (DCA) system helps the driver maintain a distance to the vehicle ahead in traffic conditions that require frequent braking. Whereas Intelligent Brake Assist is on by default, Distance Control Assist is available at the touch of a button. DCA utilizes the accelerator pedal to provide feedback to the driver.

If the distance falls below a certain threshold when approaching the preceding vehicle from behind, when the driver releases the accelerator pedal the vehicle will automatically apply the brakes to help maintain distance to the preceding vehicle. If the driver is on the throttle and the system determines that braking may be necessary, DCA will signal to the driver that the throttle should be released by “pushing back” via the accelerator pedal. 

Initially a subtle push can be felt by the driver as a gentle reminder to maintain a more appropriate distance. If the driver continues closing in on the vehicle ahead, a more insistent double impulse from the pedal plus an audible signal will urge the driver to release the throttle. Upon release of the throttle, DCA will automatically engage the brakes. If necessary, the driver can override the system at any time by depressing the accelerator pedal.

The available Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range) brings the benefit of cruise control to another level, helping to maintain a preset distance to the vehicle ahead whether in heavy traffic or on open freeways. The ICC system operates across a wide speed range and helps the driver manage speed and distance down to a complete stop. This allows the QX70 to flow with traffic even at “crawling” speeds and then resume the desired cruising speed once the road opens up again. 

Also available as part of the Technology Package is the Infiniti Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, which takes Infiniti’s Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system one step further. If the system senses that the vehicle has drifted toward the edge of its lane, LDP utilizes the QX70’s Vehicle Dynamic Control system to gently apply the brakes on the wheels on the opposite side, assisting the driver in returning the vehicle back towards the center of the current lane. 

Standard QX70 safety features include a seat belt reminder system; standard Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) including dual-stage front supplemental air bags with occupant classification and seat belt sensors; seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags; and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for enhanced outboard seat occupant head protection. Also standard are 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, ALR/ELR seat belts in all passenger seating positions (driver ELR only), adjustable upper anchors, front seat Active Head Restraints, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system.

The Technology Package offers Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts. Utilizing patented technology, the system automatically retracts some seat belt webbing if the system detects emergency braking or an emergency handling situation. Finally, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) features an individual tire pressure display.

A Personal Connection, Two Well-Equipped Models
The 2015 Infiniti QX70 is offered in two models: the V6-powered QX70 AWD and QX70. Four option packages are available, offering an extended range of features and technology over the well-equipped standard equipment.