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.

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."    - Autoworld.com

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