Infiniti's redesigned QX56 mixes muscle, refined elegance

Source: Autonews.com

During the SUV mania of the early 1990s, every new segment contender seemed to boast about off-road capability no matter how expensive and luxurious the model. Today, as the dust settles on the collapsed SUV market, there is a new definition of street cred: towing capacity. AndInfiniti's new-generation 2011 QX56 has that.

Clearly a luxury vehicle -- with stitched leather seats, woodwork laced with powdered silver and a buttery-smooth ride -- the QX56 is still a working beast, capable of towing 8,500 pounds in two-wheel or all-wheel drive without breaking a sweat. That is a reduction from the 2010 model, which offered 9,000 pounds of towing.

But for 2011, Infiniti has redesigned the QX56 for a balance of family-friendly back seats and cargo room, vacation towing and high-end styling.

The basics: As some competitors have retreated into more fuel-efficient, carlike, crossovers, Infiniti has stuck with the truck. Production of the Mississippi-built, body-on-frame SUV was moved to Japan, where it has been re-engineered off the body-on-frame Nissan Patrol platform for export.

Infiniti is positioning the QX56 as a vehicle for upper-end buyers who have children. For the luxury SUV segment as a whole, just 38 percent have children. For QX56 buyers, the number is 70 percent, says Ben Poore, vice president of the Infiniti business unit.

A new center console offers compartments for stowing games and DVDs. A third row of seats was designed to be comfortable for longer rides, with the ability to recline. Climate control is offered to second- and third-row seats, with air currents moving along back windows to reduce the effects of the sun's heat.

Notable features: The QX56 has a more wind-swept look for 2011, with a rear cowl and speedy-looking body contours. It appears more squat than the previous version -- it's 3 inches lower and about 1 1/2 inches longer.

The new 400-hp, 5.6-liter V-8 is 25 percent more powerful than the previous engine. Torque is up 20 pounds-feet, to 413. Direct injection enables the QX56 to sail out of the starting position, smoothly transitioning through its seven-speed automatic transmission.

Despite the power gain, the combination of reduced weight and engine enhancements boost fuel efficiency 14 percent over the 2010 model. The 2011 claims 14 mpg city/20 highway, a gain of 2 mpg each.

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