Infiniti XVL Concept Sedan - Sheer Fun for Drivers Passionate About Performance
11 January 2000
Infiniti XVL Concept Sedan - Sheer Fun for Drivers Passionate About Performance 2000 INFINITI 2000 Infiniti XVL Concept Sedan. (PRNewsFoto)[HD] DETROIT, MI USA 01/10/2000 DETROIT, Jan. 10 -- Just over ten years ago, the original
Infiniti Q45 reset the luxury car dial permanently on the side of performance.
With its advanced, 289-horsepower 32-valve DOHC 4.5-liter V8 engine, it
brought to life what was at the time an overused, under-delivered term:
"driver's car." The original Q45 became -- and remains -- the purest
definition of Infiniti.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000110/LAM097 )
With the introduction of XVL Concept Sedan, Infiniti has created a
distinctive embodiment not only of the Q45, but also of where Infiniti is
going as it heads into its second full decade of business in North America.
The XVL, Infiniti's first-ever concept car, carries the soul of the Q into new
territory with advanced driving dynamics, a powerful V6 engine, 4-wheel
independent multi-link suspension, powerful styling and exquisite comfort.
The XVL makes its United States debut at the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit. It is dimensionally similar to many entry-level
European luxury division sedans and is designed to provide premium performance
at an attainable price.
"We've found that luxury buyers don't buy by segment, they buy their
desire. The first step in the XVL development process therefore involved
bringing together the soul of who we are as a company and those customers who
share our passion for automobiles," said Tom Orbe, vice president and general
manager, Infiniti Division. "Luxury today is the ability to have it all.
These customers want as many of the flagship attributes as possible at every
level and the XVL Sedan has them in abundance."
Performance in All Dimensions
Though the XVL Concept Sedan is designed to provide a thrilling driving
experience, its creators understood that performance today is measured on many
more dimensions than just 0 - 60 miles per hour acceleration.
"Like the production vehicles in the Infiniti lineup -- the Q45, I30, G20
and QX4 -- the XVL Concept rewards the driver," said Orbe. "Not just in going
fast, but also in how every element of the vehicle works with the driver: the
touch of the door handle and the feel of the wheel, the ability to relax when
you need a moment to yourself. That, in essence, is the XVL."
The styling of the XVL Concept conveys a powerful impression of the
performance potential under the skin, yet the look is also surprisingly
elegant rather than "boy racer." The shape combines a solid, substantial
lower body with a tall, roomy cabin. The long 111.2-inch wheelbase with short
overhangs and large 17-inch wheels and tires creates an aggressive look with
exceptional space utilization. The front end features an Infiniti-style
grille with large Xenon headlights. In the rear, the stepped-up deck and
smooth rear finisher contribute to both the refined look and a low coefficient
of drag of just 0.28.
The XVL Concept Sedan's maximized body proportions also provide strong
benefit in terms of optimal utilization of engine compartment, cabin and trunk
space. Using a new-generation rear-wheel drive platform engineered
specifically for use with a compact V6 engine, the XVL Concept's 3.0-liter
engine has been placed midship, helping achieve a near-ideal weight
distribution of 52/48 percent front/rear.
Powering the XVL is a NEO DI VQ30DD direct-injection gasoline-fueled V6
featuring NExT combustion (Nissan Exquisitely Tuned Combustion) to obtain
substantial improvements in both fuel economy and power output. The engine
also employs other cutting-edge technologies such as continuous variable valve
timing, variable intake and an electronically controlled swirl control valve.
The engine is mated to an Extroid Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT), the world's first CVT application designed for use with large engine
displacement, rear-wheel drive vehicles. It incorporates an entirely new
traction drive construction, in which drive torque transmission and ratio
changes are executed by pairs of discs and power rollers that have toroidal
rolling surfaces. The result is a smooth delivery of power, responsive
acceleration and enhanced fuel economy.
The XVL also uses a new 4-wheel independent multi-link suspension and
power-assisted 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
"The XVL Concept's advanced driving dynamics reward the driver with a
quiet, comfortable and stable ride and handling -- attributes that we believe
are essential to the appeal of all of our vehicles," said Orbe. "Yet at the
same time, every Infiniti is designed to invigorate rather than isolate the
driver. It's an active luxury, a partnership between car and driver."
Inside, the XVL provides an equally rewarding experience. Pursuing
functionality and simplicity, the designers created an exceptionally
comfortable passenger compartment coordinated in a bold theme of bright,
contrasting colors. Besides offering the luxury of more room than current
production vehicles of similar size, the XVL Concept interior embraces the
expression of "best touring position." The vehicle height, seat cushion
height and floor height have been optimized for ease of entry and exit,
superior visibility and ease of operation. In addition, all occupants can
select climate and seating positions to match their personal preferences.
The XVL Concept Sedan also incorporates the latest safety performance
designs, including high-strength Zone Body construction, which divides the
vehicle body into two zones -- a crushable zone for absorbing impact energy in
a crash and a safety zone for ensuring occupant safety.
Other safety equipment found on the XVL Concept includes dual front
supplemental air bags, front seat supplemental side-impact air bags, side
curtain supplemental air bags and 3-point seat belts with pretensioners with
load limiters.
"The XVL Concept Sedan is about a passion for living and for driving, an
emotional appeal that comes most powerfully from vehicles that exude
performance, style and fun," said Orbe. "In that sense, the XVL Concept Sedan
is the perfect Infiniti."
More details regarding the future of the XVL Concept Sedan are expected to
be announced in April at the New York Auto Show.
Visit the Infiniti Online News Bureau at http://www.infinitinews.com.
