Nissan recently announced a new business plan outlining its operations for the next six years. The plan, dubbed “Nissan Power 88”, called for an increase in the automaker’s global market share to eight percent by 2017, as well as an equal eight percent increase in operating profit and that’s the way the business plan’s title “88” comes.
The sources says that the new model will be based on the Etherea concept shown in March at the Geneva auto show. Infiniti plans to launch 10 new or updated models between now and 2017.
It will probably retain the sloped roof design of the concept car, as well as its hatchback body and overall proportions. The latter will share the Leaf’s platform and drivetrain but have unique Infiniti styling, trim and features, the person said.
Also it is expected to be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, one of the fruits of the recent alliance deal between Renault-Nissan and Daimler. The engine is thought to be a variation of the 204 horsepower 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder ‘CGI’ mill offered in the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
The new Infinity is likely to feature a front-wheel drive layout, a route most other luxury automakers, including BMW, are taking for their new generation of compact cars. This compact car will also be joined by an Infiniti electric car based on the same platform as the Nissan Leaf. To differentiate the Infiniti electric car from the Leaf, it will have unique styling as well as upmarket features and trim.
The company says that Infiniti aims to increase global sales to 500,000 units by 2017, from about 150,000 units today. The campaign also will entail building Infiniti models overseas;
“I cannot imagine that 500,000 Infiniti cars are going to be shipped from one location,” Ghosn said of future production sites. “The natural location is North America and/or China.”
Source: Autoweek
