Infiniti to launch new models with better powertrains, and will get their debuts at this years Los Angeles Auto Show.

• QX Sport Inspiration, the latest interpretation of "Powerful Elegance," design language hints at a future INFINITI mid-sized premium SUV
• Q60 3.0t Sport completes INFINITI's sport coupe portfolio and features 300-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine
• INFINITI VC-Turbo, the first production-ready variable compression engine, marks significant leap forward for the internal combustion engine
• INFINITI Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition will also make an appearance on the show floor

INFINITI will debut two vehicles and an industry first engine technology for the first time in North America today at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs Nov. 18 through the 27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Additionally, the INFINITI Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition will be on display at the INFINITI stand.

"In a city known for its appreciation for great automotive design and environmental sustainability, INFINITI is delighted show the new design direction for our future SUVs, as well as the world's first variable compression ratio engine, for the first time in North America," said Roland Krueger, president of INFINITI Motor Company. 

"We are undergoing a major product offensive based on our strengths in design and innovation, and, as such, are poised to have another record year." 

QX Sport Inspiration: the evolution of a concept

Revealed for the first time at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, the INFINITI QX Sport Inspiration is an elegant and powerful expression of progressive SUV design, and it explores the company's vision for a next-generation, premium mid-size SUV.

INFINITI's progressive outlook is evident in the QX Sport Inspiration's elegant yet powerfully proportioned exterior, with upgrades that include a matte grey exterior color and larger, 22-inch wheels in a striking bronze color with matching brake calipers.

Flowing lines and advanced craftsmanship characterize the spacious and beautifully appointed interior, which gains kick plate lighting at the base of every door. The interior's color palette – predominantly black and white with flashes of the hide's natural tan color – is enhanced with sections added in brown leather.

Transforming on demand, INFINITI's VC-Turbo technology uses an advanced multi-link system to seamlessly raise or lower the reach of the pistons, detecting the car's driving condition and driver inputs, and instantly selecting the most suitable compression ratio. The engine is able to offer any compression ratio between 8:1 (for high performance) and 14:1 (for high efficiency).

In production form, the VC-Turbo engine is expected to have a power output of approximately 268 horsepower and 288 lb-ft torque, comparable to certain six-cylinder gasoline powertrains for performance while significantly outperforming them in efficiency.

The four-cylinder VC-Turbo engine achieves lower levels of noise and vibration than conventional internal combustion engines, particularly diesel, and it is lighter and more compact than V6 units with comparable power outputs.

INFINITI's VC-Turbo technology marks a significant leap forward for the internal combustion engine, joining other renowned powertrain innovations such as liquid cooling, fuel injection, catalytic convertors and turbocharging. The arrival of the variable compression ratio engine will establish new benchmarks – for power, efficiency and emissions – against which future powertrains will be measured.

2017 INFINITI Q60 3.0t Sport

For 2017, the Q60 is completely redesigned, benefiting from the very best of INFINITI styling, performance and technology. The Q60 reclaims its title as the brand's halo car and is the third chapter in a lineage of iconic INFINITI sport coupes, starting with the 2003 G35.

The comprehensive update for 2017 includes a trio of all-new advanced turbocharged engines to expand market coverage, next-generation ride and handling technologies, and the very latest INFINITI infotainment and Safety Shield driver assistance systems.

Designated by the silver "S" model badge, the new Q60 3.0t Sport is the latest addition to the 2017 Q60 portfolio and is equipped with the new VR-series 3.0 liter V6 twin turbo engine featuring 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Offering select content from the Q60 Red Sport 400 flagship, the Q60 3.0t Sport includes sport brakes with silver-painted calipers, sport-tuned Dynamic Digital Suspension, carbon fiber interior trim, semi-aniline leather-appointed sport seats, paddle shifters and aluminum-accented pedals. Dual occupant memory system for driver's seat, power tilt and telescope steering column, auto dimming outside mirrors and interior ambient lighting are also standard.

INFINITI Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition

Neiman Marcus recently announced the inclusion of the INFINITI Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition in the luxury retailer's annual Christmas Book. Named this year's Fantasy Gift, the Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition can be found on page 128 of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. The whole package retails for $63,000 and includes an exclusive Gallery White leather weekender bag, a plaque with the car's VIN number, Neiman Marcus-branded indoor car cover and letter of authenticity. Additionally, with the purchase of each INFINITI Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition, INFINITI will donate $1,000 to The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation.

Based on the Red Sport 400 version of the all-new 2017 INFINITI Q60, this 400-horsepower coupe is equipped with a 3.0 liter-twin-turbocharged V6 engine and is painted a striking Solar Mica hue. The Neiman Marcus Limited Edition Q60 offers Direct Adaptive Steering™, Dynamic Digital Suspension, Bose® Performance Series premium audio system and INFINITI InTouch™ infotainment system. This special edition Q60 also features genuine carbon fiber accents on the fender vents, fog-light finishers, mirror caps and rear spoiler.The interior is equipped with Gallery White semi-aniline leather-appointed sports seats and Silver Optic Fiber Interior Trim.

"INFINITI has a longstanding tradition of design prowess and engineering excellence, and at our core, we stand for empowering the drive of our products," said Randy Parker, vice president, INFINITI Americas. "The QX Sport Inspiration, VC-Turbo engine, Q60 3.0t Sport and the stunning Q60 Neiman Marcus Limited Edition embody the brand's promise to deliver innovative and forward-thinking products and experiences for our customers."

Austrian automobile club ARBÖ recognises the new Infiniti VC-Turbo for its efficiency with its first global award.

• Austrian automobile club ARBÖ recognises VC-Turbo for its efficiency
• First award globally for revolutionary new engine

INFINITI’s VC-Turbo variable compression engine was named by the Automobile, Motor and Bicycle Association of Austria (ARBÖ) with the Grand Austrian Automobile Award in the category “Environment”. During the awards ceremony that took place in Vienna last week, VC-Turbo was honoured for setting a new benchmark in terms of efficiency of next-generation combustion engines.

The experts of the automobile club acknowledged INFINITI for introducing the world’s first production-ready engine with variable compression. While in previous years, ARBÖ tended to award alternative propulsion systems, this year the organisation recognised the potential of the VC-Turbo engine which represents the next step in optimising fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine.

Roland Krueger, president of INFINITI Motor Company said, “INFINITI would like to thank the ARBÖ members for recognising the VC-Turbo engine and the benefits it offers customers.  The beauty of variable compression is that the engine makes an intelligent choice between performance and efficiency, giving drivers the performance they want combined with the efficiency they need. Not only that, it is quieter and smoother. We are excited to bring this ground-breaking technology to the road and, on behalf of the entire INFINITI team, we are grateful for the recognition.”

INFINITI engineers have worked for 20 years on the technology to make VC-Turbo production-ready. More than 100 prototypes were tested so as to deliver a truly innovative gas engine. Thanks to a multi-link system, which is able to adapt the travel of the pistons' stroke, the all-new engine can seamlessly offer any compression ratio between 8:1 and 14:1. Lower compression ratios secure greater power and torque, whereas a higher compression improves fuel efficiency.

The result is an engine delivering the power output of a V6 and the fuel economy of a diesel powertrain without the emissions associated with a diesel engine. The development objectives of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with single-scroll turbocharger are: 268hp and 390Nm torque while offering at the same time 27% lower fuel consumption than similarly-powered V6 gasoline engines. The first

INFINITI cars equipped with the VC-Turbo engine will be on sale in 2018.