New York show: Infiniti Q70 update revealed

INFINITI has unveiled its updated Q70 at the New York motor show this week, including a long-wheelbase version designed principally for China.

However, the regular version remains at least 12 months from local showrooms, and the spacious LWB won’t come here at all.

The BMW 5 Series rival, formally called the M until Infiniti changed naming strategies late last year, gains a refreshed exterior design with a new slightly larger grille with a mesh face replacing the chrome-heavy version of the original.

New LED headlights, and a new front bumper with integrated fog-lights round out the revised front-end, while at the rear, the Q70 gets a new LED tail-light design, a flatter boot-lid and a slimmer rear bumper.

In the long-wheelbase version, rear legroom has been increased by 150mm over the regular-wheelbase Q70 for class-leading knee-room of 823mm, while rear-seat passengers can also enjoy luxuries such as heated seats, reading lights, a 12V power outlet and rear-door auto closure.

All new Q70 variants benefit from better NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels, thanks to the addition of insulation materials, improved sealing and stiffened wheels which the company says reduces road noise on urban roads.

An Active Noise Control feature monitors cabin noise levels and can then generate a “cancelling” sound from the door speakers, making it easier for occupants to hold a conversation or listen to the music coming from the 16-speaker Bose sound system.

The engines have not been altered, with the Australian-spec 175kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, the 235kW/360Nm 3.7-litre V6 and the 225Nm/350kW 3.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid staying as is.

Infiniti Cars Australia general manager of corporate communications Peter Fadeyev told GoAuto that the updated Q70 will be available in its Australian dealerships in either quarter two or three next year.

Mr Fadeyev also confirmed that the long-wheelbase version would not be coming to Australia, with its main markets being China and the United States.

Also on the Infiniti stand at New York was a refreshed version of the hulking Nissan-Patrol-based QX80, however this model has also been ruled out for the Australian market.

Infiniti sales have been given a boost with the arrival of the BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50 earlier this year which has helped increase sales by 94 per cent compared to the first three months of 2013.

While Infiniti has sold 52 Q50s in the first quarter, the M/Q70 is struggling with just four finding homes in Australia in that period. The FX SUV, now called QX70, has fared better with 23 sales from January to March.