Infiniti Considering FWD Again
01-25-10, 03:06 PM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, AWD RX (being a SUV) is a very popular model. And Lexus has done very well with sales of FWD ES350. Other car manufacturers will probably seek a piece of that high-margin business.
If that is what you are suggesting, then I agree, except it would have to have a somewhat softer suspension than the G or M to compete with the ES. The ES350, of course, is somewhat firmer-riding than the ES330 it replaced (much has been discussed about that in CAR CHAT, and we don't need to rehash that here), but it is still somewhat softer than a number of Infiniti models.
01-25-10, 03:08 PM
#32
Actually Mike, the FWD RX outsells the AWD model by a healthy margin. In the south and on the west coast, AWD RXs are basically special order only. Most dealers do not order AWDs unless there is a customer request, or maybe once in a blue moon. In the central and northern parts of the nation the breakdown is somewhere around 50/50 for AWD and FWD units.
01-25-10, 03:56 PM
#34
Yes, lol, solid axle version is great for pickup trucks too (cheap and durable). 4-wheel alignments are infrequent and insignificant expense in the ownership cost of a premium sedan. These cars had compromised ride/handling that would not be acceptable in premium cars today. Even back then they were not considered to be near the top in the area of handling or ride.
01-25-10, 03:59 PM
#35
Lexus Fanatic
Don't confuse flex/torsion beam axle and solid rear axle. Solid rear axle is what you see on RWD/AWD trucks and truck based SUVs, while torsion beam is common on 80ies FWD passenger cars (mostly American) and minivans. Torsion beam is by far the most unsophisticated suspension type
"Yes, lol, solid axle version is great for pickup trucks too (cheap and durable). 4-wheel alignments are infrequent and insignificant expense in the ownership cost of a premium sedan."
Agreed, both very different and crude.
01-25-10, 04:05 PM
#37
However try hitting a large bump or pothole in a BMW and then do the same in a comparable Lexus. You will find that BMW deals with those a lot harsher.
01-25-10, 06:13 PM
#41
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You are right about some things though
01-25-10, 06:14 PM
#42
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Good move by Infiniti. They should bring back a Maxima based Fwd ES-competitor. My dad had a I30t and it was a solid car, Infiniti made a mistake getting rid of it. The entry level FWD is still a big market (certainly larger than EX niche market), so there should be room for Infiniti to release an I30-like vehicle as well as an RX competitor with both a FWD or AWD option. They should forget about the small niche market (EX), that is for Acura to go after...
I've been in CL for a while now (reading more than posting, admittedly), and its true that 1sick is rarely wrong about the industry. You should really work in the field, 1sick!
01-25-10, 07:16 PM
#43
Lexus Fanatic
I've been in CL for a while now (reading more than posting, admittedly), and its true that 1sick is rarely wrong about the industry. You should really work in the field, 1sick!
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-26-10 at 08:52 AM.
01-25-10, 09:10 PM
#44
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As one of the few Infiniti fans, I hope this is limited to an A3 competitor.
The G is almost the same size as a Maxima, there would be little sense in having a rebadged Altima or Maxima.
A smaller car however, to rival the 1 series, is the most logical choice, especially considering their recent invasion of Europe. Although I had assumed that was to be the electric car that was in development.
The only Audi's that shares a platform with Volkswagen is the A3, Q7 and the TT. The A4, A5, Q5, and A8 are all based on the MLB platform, used only by Audi and likely Bentley. The future A6, I believe, will be on this platform as well. The Q7 is based on a platform developed between Volkswagen, Porsche and the Q7 is a modified version of this platform.
Audi does benefit from being under the Volkswagen Group, but its relationship with Volkswagen is not like Toyota/Lexus.
The G is almost the same size as a Maxima, there would be little sense in having a rebadged Altima or Maxima.
A smaller car however, to rival the 1 series, is the most logical choice, especially considering their recent invasion of Europe. Although I had assumed that was to be the electric car that was in development.
I am going to elaborate a little bit on my post above about how FWD is looking more like the “way of the future” and how companies will continue to follow in the footsteps of VW/Audi and Toyota/Lexus. Many of us have made fun of Audi and even Lexus for this part and platform sharing, but I think this is only the beginning of such arrangements in the automotive industry, born out of necessity.
While we sometimes snicker about Lexus’ and Audi’s “humble” roots within Toyota and VW, at the end of the day when all of the reports are run, BMW and Mercedes probably wish they had the type of resources that Audi and Lexus do.
While we sometimes snicker about Lexus’ and Audi’s “humble” roots within Toyota and VW, at the end of the day when all of the reports are run, BMW and Mercedes probably wish they had the type of resources that Audi and Lexus do.
Audi does benefit from being under the Volkswagen Group, but its relationship with Volkswagen is not like Toyota/Lexus.
