Infiniti Teases QX Sport Inspiration Ahead Of Beijing Debut

The next-generation of mid-size SUV from Nissan’s premium arm, Infiniti, will be taking cues from the vehicle to be shown off for the first time at the Beijing Motor Show, aptly called the QX Sport Inspiration.

There isn’t much to go on with this image, although it does offer us a better glimpse than some other more poorly lit teasers.

Infiniti’s love of curvaceous lines makes a return, although their grille looks to be missing some angularity compared to what we’ve previously seen, but perhaps we need to see the car at a diagonal to properly view that hexagonal shape.

There’s are LED headlamps, with an array of 11 illuminators on each side which we assume are daytime running lights that sit below the usual night time illumination.

There are air intakes to the side and just above the front apron, giving the SUV concept a decidedly aggressive fascia, something that’s supplemented by the wide wheel arches and positive camber of the wheels.

Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director, commented: “The QX Sport Inspiration expresses a power and purpose that is uniquely Infiniti. With a flowing, natural aesthetic, this concept demonstrates how Infiniti can offer something new and exciting with future QX SUV models.”

Volkswagen Previews Sporty SUV Concept For Beijing. 2018 Touareg?

Volkswagen has released some teaser images showing us bite sized portions of a new concept vehicle they intend to show off next week at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show.

While it’s rather early to say for sure what this vehicle portends, the smart money is on it being a preview of the 2018 Touareg SUV, possibly revealed in concept form next week with some kind of plug-in hybrid or even fully electric technology along with some rather futuristic touches for good measure.

Perhaps an iterative update on Volkswagen’s gesture-controlled dashboard interface that we saw in the Golf R Touch Concept of 2015.

It certainly looks a fair bit more aggressive than the somewhat sedate Touareg design that we’re used to, with a passing resemblance to a larger, jacked-up Volkswagen Scirocco.

The Wolfsburg-based automaker has kept its lips sealed on hard details about its newest concept, but we can expect some of that curtain to be lifted slightly as its motor show unveil approaches.

Should the concept be powered by fully or petrol-electric hybrid system, its China reveal makes sense as it would be eligible for the country’s New Energy Vehicle incentive program.

Check our Showroom for prices and specifications on the current Touareg and the rest of Volkswagen's range of models.

Volkswagen’s T-Prime Concept GTE Heralds Next Flagship SUV

There’s no denying that as much as Volkswagen brands their T-Prime GTE as a concept, the potential for it being the template unto which the next-generation Touareg will be based is huge.

Since it’s introduction in 2011, the second-generation Touareg – Volkswagen’s flagship SUV - has since been somewhat forgotten in the Volkswagen range, with the newest and most advanced technological and aesthetic additions instead finding their way to Volkswagen’s other models.

Volkswagen has made no association with between the T-Prime and what is to be the next Touareg, but the naming itself does call to question how sneaky Volkswagen thinks they’re being. Is it a mangled word crafted from cuts of beef, or is it Touareg Prime?

In either case, the T-Prime has a four-seat layout with each passenger given their own – a clear nod to the Chinese market preferences. While it’s possible that that next Touareg could be offered with such luxurious seating, a traditional seven-seating arrangement would be available everywhere else.

Another notable interior detail are the integration of a curved instrument cluster and centre console. This could be another conceptual flourish but Volkswagen could be looking to unveil an Audi virtual cockpit-like interface.

The driver’s dashboard screen is clearly the highlight here, but the centre console’s infotainment display also looks much larger and feature-dense than what Volkswagen currently offers at any price and would be a very welcome step forward.

Being branded as a GTE vehicle, the T-Prime concept is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid consisting of 2.0-litre TSI combustion engine generating 185kW and 370Nm of torque which is augmented by an electric motor with 100kW and 350Nm of torque.

In total, the combined output would be 280kW of power and an astounding 700Nm of torque on tap, enough to accelerate the T-Prime on to 100km/h from rest in 6.0 seconds flat. Power reaches the wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission (in which the electric motor is integrated) and VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system.

Supplying the motor with charge is a 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery that’s capable on powering the SUV in all-electric drive mode for up to 50km, and when paired to the gasoline engine under normal driving conditions is claimed to consume only 2.7-litres/100km on a combined cycle.