Infiniti QX80 named Best-In-Class for luxury segment in AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards

Franklin, Tenn. - Infiniti has announced that for the third year in a row its QX80 full-size luxury SUV was recognized as best-in-class in the 2015 AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) for the Luxury/Large SUV segment.

Now in its 19th year, AutoPacific's VSA identifies the most satisfying vehicles on the market. An industry benchmark for measuring how satisfied an owner is with his/her new vehicle, VSAs are based on survey responses from over 66,000 owners of new 2015 model year cars and light trucks.

"We're honored to be recognized for the third year by AutoPacific for the QX80," said Randy Parker, vice president, Infiniti Americas. "This award is particularly important to us as it's solely based on owner input for satisfaction which is a direct result of Infiniti's passion in creating the most luxurious and reliable offerings for our owners."

"By surveying a substantial number of owners who have purchased a new 2015 model year vehicle, AutoPacific's VSA provides an objective measurement of how well the makers are doing," said George Peterson, president, AutoPacific. "2015 represents a year of diversity and the competition was fierce."

The QX80 offers a unique combination of inspired design and performance that makes it stand out in the luxury performance SUV class. Offering accompaniments such as the standard Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System, available Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection (MOD) system, available Bose® 13-speaker Premium Audio System and available Bose® Cabin Surround® Sound System with digital 5.1 decoding and 15 speakers. The QX80 also has a rugged practicality that comes with a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine capable of hauling up to eight passengers and towing up to 8,500 pounds.

For more information on the QX80 and Infiniti's Total Ownership Experience, please visit www.Infiniti.com.

Source: http://infinitinews.com/

Infiniti debuts new QX60 "Vacation" ad campaign

• Infiniti recreates famous scene from "National Lampoon's Vacation" in 30-second commercial with 2015 QX60 Luxury Crossover
• Commercial stars Christie Brinkley and Ethan Embry
• Campaign includes extensions in digital and social media

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Infiniti has released a new campaign for the 2015 QX60, inspired by the 1983 classic "National Lampoon's Vacation" which coincides with the July 29 release of Warner Bros. Studio's remake. The campaign begins with a TV commercial starring the original movie's car-loving blonde bombshell and supermodel, Christie Brinkley, and puts a spin on the famous movie scene as the modern day family heads to Walley World.

In the national spot titled "Vacation," Ethan Embry (who notably starred as Rusty in "Vegas Vacation") loads his family in the roomy 3-row QX60 and hits the road for Walley World. While on the road trip, Ethan looks in his side view mirror and sees an attractive blonde in a sports car fast approaching. As Ethan and the blonde keep up with each other on the highway, Christie Brinkley is revealed as his wife who catches this action and ends the scene with an ironic response: "Honey, a blonde in a convertible? Seriously?"

The popular Infiniti QX60 continues to stand out in the premium crossover segment, excelling in the areas that luxury crossover buyers desire most – interior versatility, roominess, available safety, and available advanced hospitality features. Ending with the tagline "Built for Families, Designed for Drivers," the commercial captures nostalgia of family vacations but also the functionality of the family-friendly QX60.

"The QX60 is the ideal choice for families needing versatility but who also don't want to sacrifice a thrilling and empowering drive. The ‘Vacation' scene is so iconic, and we wanted to recreate it through the lens of a modern day family in a luxury SUV," said Allyson Witherspoon, director of Marketing Communications and Media, Infiniti USA. "We knew we might have struck an interesting cultural moment, but having Christie and Ethan involved really elevated the concept given their history with the movie franchise. It was a pleasure to work with them."

Available in both front-wheel drive and with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, the QX60 features a standard 3.5-liter DOHC V6 which produces 265 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 248 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Starting at just $42,400 MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, actual price set by Infiniti retailers) and featuring spacious accommodations for seven people, the 2015 QX60 is the ultimate family vacation vehicle.

The 30-second commercial, created by Infiniti's advertising agency of record CP+B, airs nationally beginning July 9, 2015 and can be viewed at https://youtu.be/PLEbr5Hnop8.

Source: http://infinitinews.com/

5 Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Car

Here are Five Spring Car Maintenance Tips to Keep in Mind

1. Remove leftover salt

Salt, used on roads to melt ice and snow, can cause serious damage to cars, especially their undercarriages where metal can rust. Take your car to a highly rated car wash to eliminate salt, and check that the business has sprayers that clean the undercarriage.

2. Check alignment and suspension
Driving over potholes can damage your car’s alignment and suspension. You might have a problem if you notice that the car pulls to one side or the steering wheel vibrates as you drive. An alignment check typically costs $25 to $40.

3. Change oil and check fluids

“If your last oil change was before winter, then this is a great time to do it, spring is also an ideal time to flush your transmission fluid. It’s one of the most neglected services. Mechanics say spring is a good time to check your car's fluid levels. Waiting too long to change your fluids can lead to a costly repair. Mechanics recommend changing your car’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.Don’t forget to check window washing fluid levels, as well as your brake and cooling system fluids.

4. Rotate tires and check air pressure
You should check the tire pressure, including the spare should you ever need it. Your car’s tires affect the ride, handling, traction and safety.Mechanics recommend tire rotation every 5,000 miles to keep tread wear even.One of the biggest issues we see is the front tires wearing out prematurely.

5. Inspect brakes
Nothing, perhaps, is more important than having brakes that function properly. Have a technician check the pads and rotors to ensure there are no safety issues. Neglecting them can lead to a costlier repair down the line.

Infiniti Vision GT displayed outside its online world for the first time

SHANGHAI, China – Last week at the 2015 Shanghai auto show, Infiniti held its inaugural Infiniti Design Night ahead of Auto Shanghai 2015. The evening occasion took place at the Shanghai Himalayas Art Museum.

Under the theme of "Aesthetics of Contrast," Infiniti Design Night showcased three design concepts showing an exciting path to Infiniti's future: the Q80 Inspiration (first shown in Paris, October 2014), Q60 Concept (Detroit, January 2015), and the Vision Gran Turismo designed especially for the latest Gran Turismo® 6™ video game.

This was the first time the Vision GT was displayed as a real "flesh and bones" concept car, having only been seen and experienced digitally in GT6 prior to this event.

The dramatic Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo

The Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo is a vision of what a high performance Infiniti could look like in the future. Available for download in GT6 exclusively on the PlayStation®3 system, it was created through close collaboration with the creators of Gran Turismo®, the racing game franchise developed by Polyphony Digital Inc. that has sold more than 72 million copies worldwide.

The virtual concept car began as an ambitious global Infiniti Design competition to "design a pure Infiniti GT car," which Infiniti's Design team in Beijing won. Part beauty, part beast, its shape is powerful, sensual and audacious – articulating the team's ambitious racing language for Infiniti.

The team kept to Infiniti's design language and added some Chinese influences to the Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo. The fluid movement and the delicate gradation of the body are inspired by traditional Chinese calligraphy and landscape paintings, while the character lines uninhibitedly flowing through the car reflect the dynamism of China.

Up front, the Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo sports a sharp visage and a wide grille, giving it a wild and powerful look. The curves of the fenders wrap around the tires, and the car appears ready to pounce.

The design development of the Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo started with hand sketching, then refined digitally, refined again by hand sculpting, and then returned to digital for final refinement.

"The Q80 Inspiration, the Q60 Concept and the Infiniti Concept Vision Gran Turismo are all thematically different," said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director. "Yet the same thread of handcrafted artistry weaves through them, and they all speak with one Infiniti design language."

Jean Knows Cars: 2015 Infiniti QX60 offers artful luxury

The Infiniti QX60 3.5 looks like a big SUV (it's actually midsize), but it is surprisingly easy to drive and to live with, for a three-row crossover.

It helps that the QX60 has just a ton more style than cars of this ilk. The side profile is quite lovely, and both front and rear views aren't the locomotives we've become used to seeing. And it helps that the interior is a beautifully, thoughtfully trimmed luxury palace, even without the $11,000-plus in options, which took our test car from a base price of $43,395 to $54,690.

In addition to the standard features you would expect (heated front seats, a good audio system, all of the necessary ports and jacks for your electronics and a full complement of front, side and curtain airbags), you'll be pleased to find leather-appointed seats, a power sliding and tilting glass moonroof and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system.

Drivers of smaller stature (and I with my demolition derby-damaged neck) will especially appreciate the standard power tilting and telescoping steering column, the power rear liftgate and a rearview monitor, which together make the QX60 less daunting. All part of the price of entry.

Options? Oh, buddy, are there options! You are on your own there, but bring your checkbook. The Deluxe Touring package is $3,450 (it's where you find the air-conditioned front seats and the power-up folding third row). The Premium package is $1,550, and that's where my beloved heated steering wheel lives. There is also the Premium Plus package ($3,000) with the magic AroundView Monitor with its moving object detection and front and rear sonar. You can sort it and your budget out on Infiniti's online configurator.

Our test car had all of that razzmatazz and, frankly, I liked it, yes I did. But the only must-have in my book is the Technology package ($2,800). That's where most all of the advanced safety resides, those technologies that are the precursors to fully autonomous cars: full-speed-range intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot warning and intervention, intelligent brake assist with forward collision warning and backup collision intervention. You'll notice that most of these are more than warnings and alerts; they actually intervene when you're just not cutting it behind the wheel.

And isn't that what autonomous cars are all about?

You'll still be doing the driving in the 2015 QX60, so it's good to know that the 3.5-liter V-6 produces 265 horsepower — not a barnstormer off the line, but it will take you easily to 80 mph. It has a continuously variable automatic transmission, which Infiniti is very big on, and there are Standard, Sport, Snow and Eco drive modes. The main CVT benefit is that there are no gears to mesh and gnash and make loud noises while straining to up- and downshift. CVTs do a better job of maintaining optimum engine revs. And that pretty much works. The QX60's CVT tends to hem and haw a little at higher speeds but probably not enough to bother most drivers. You can ameliorate it by changing the drive mode switch to Sport.

More things in life should have a Sport option.

Three-row crossovers attract a specific clientele that are not me. I have no children, I don't have that many friends that need carting around, and the ones I have would rather walk than crawl into the wayback of an SUV.

I tested the QX60's cargo area by bringing everything I owned and my husband's golf clubs for a 1,100-mile trip across Florida. With midsize utility vehicles, you have to give up cargo to get that third row of seats. We did the opposite, accessing maximum cargo space with the power liftgate and power buttons that flipped down the 50/50 split-folding third-row bench. The low-load floor is a boon to women of the world with girly amounts of shoulder strength.

Three rollerboards went in upright, followed by the bag of clubs, four stuffed duffels, a few hatboxes, two garment bags and, yes, more. And you could still see out the rear window from the rearview mirror. Without those clubs, we could have left 50 percent of the bench in the upright position for a passenger.

When you don't need room for antiquing, that third row is pretty plush, with plenty of knee room and backs that recline. Getting back there is made easier by a clever forward flip of the outboard second-row seat behind the driver. This sets it up to slide forward on the same tracks that allow second-row passengers to fine-tune legroom. Even cooler is the ability to leave a child seat attached in place while accessing the third row. You won't have to make your kids crawl in through the rear and scale the back seat from behind.

There's an overhead handhold and an indentation in the sill to give you a boost. I gave it a go, got my 6-foot frame up and through the generous opening, and was impressed. However, getting out of the third seat almost crippled me. I'd recommend calling dibs on that second row with its cushy reclining and sliding seats and its own climate controller, complete with precise temperature settings.

Infiniti Q70 secures a 2014 Top Safety Pick+ Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety | Infiniti of West Chester

The Infiniti Q70 sedan has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest rating of "good" for its performance in the institute's small overlap front crash test, and when equipped with Forward Collision Warning the Q70 has been awarded a TOP SAFETY PICK+.

The Infiniti Q70's "good" rating applies to the 2014-15 Q70. The vehicle also received good ratings in the IIHS' four other crashworthiness evaluations qualifying the Q70 for the 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award.

IIHS introduced the small overlap evaluation in 2012. In the test, which is more challenging than either the head-on crashes conducted by the government or the Institute's moderate overlap test, 25 percent of a vehicle's front end on the driver side strikes a rigid barrier at 40 mph. The crash replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or a utility pole.

Q50 Hybrid, One of the Most Fuel-Efficient Luxury Cars| Infiniti of West Chester

Since its debut, the Infiniti Q50 premium sport sedan has regularly been recognized for its exhilarating performance and excellent fuel economy. With its estimated EPA rating of 29/36 MPG city/highway, the Q50 Hybrid was recently named one of Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Luxury Cars of 2014. Producing 360 horsepower, it also happens to be the most powerful hybrid on that list.

Additional honors

The Q50 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when equipped with Forward Emergency Braking, and a 5-Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) . Furthermore, Edmunds.com presented the 2014 Q50 with its Top Rated Vehicle award, and a jury of international automotive journalists nominated it as a contender for the 2014 World Car of The Year.

Owners Join in on the Celebration of Q50’s Top Features 

In addition to recent recognition from the automotive industry, Q50 owners have taken to social media and online forums to share what they like best about their vehicle—most notably its styling, handling, and hybrid torque.

Styling

The Q50’s design cues exhibit an aggressive athleticism that hint at its impressive performance. Owners love the styling for many reasons, including unique headlights and markers, and the integration of Infiniti’s characteristic crescent cut c-pillars.

Handling

Balancing power and refinement has always been a challenge for the premium sport sedan segment. While performance-minded consumers want nimble handling and responsive steering, luxury-minded buyers look for a car with a more polished, relaxed ride. Infiniti took both these types of drivers into account when it developed the world’s first steer-by-wire system. Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) filters out excessive road vibrations, and lets drivers select from three steering modes for unprecedented handling customizability. Satisfied owners report that the Q50 is just as comfortable hugging the corners of a twisted country road as it is cruising on the highway, or running errands around town.

Hybrid Torque

Not only is the Q50 one of the most fuel-efficient luxury cars of 2014, it also delivers outstanding acceleration. Building upon the already powerful 328-horsepower standard V6, Infiniti’s all-wheel drive hybrid version accelerates from zero to 60 in 5.2 seconds, with the help of more than 250 lb-ft of torque from the gas engine and electric motor.
 
See more at: http://www.infinitiusa.com/now/news-and-events/q50-hybrid-kbb-most-fuel-efficient-luxury-car-2014.html#sthash.xQTaZrsp.dpuf

Winter Driving Tips | Infiniti of West Chester

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. We want to remind motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather. 

We recommend the following winter driving tips:

• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

Tips for long-distance winter trips:

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition.
• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
• Pack a cellular telephone plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Don’t over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

Tips for driving in the snow:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

Original post can be viewed here.

Winterizing Your Vehicle | Infiniti of West Chester

Are you ready for the upcoming winter and what it will be offering? Before you rush to the store for the last gallon of milk and loaf of bread, you’ll want to be sure your car is ready to battle the elements. Follow these tips before venturing out into the winter wonderland.

• Get a Tune-Up. Have your mechanic check your hoses, belts 
  and anti-freeze. A weakened hose or belt can break and leave you stranded, or a 
  weak solution of anti-freeze can ice up and damage your cooling system. 
• Check Your Battery. Make sure your car’s battery connection 
  is clean, tight and corrosion-free. The battery should be securely mounted. If 
  the battery is three years old or more, have it tested and replace it if 
  necessary.  
• Check Your Heater and Defroster. If your heater isn’t 
  working, you’ll probably know. But what about front and rear defrosters? Before 
  you’re faced with a frosty windshield, turn your front and rear defrosters on 
  and off to make sure they’re working. 
• Give Yourself a Brake. If you have the slightest concern 
  that something’s amiss with your brakes, get them inspected immediately. If you 
  have anti-lock brakes, you should avoid pumping the brakes if you begin to 
  slide.  
• Have Your Exhaust System Checked. Ask your mechanic to 
  double check the exhaust system for leaks, which can emit dangerous carbon 
  monoxide into your car. If you become stuck in the snow and want to run the 
  engine and heater, make sure your tail pipe is clear of the snow and crack open 
  a window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. 
• Fill up with Washer Fluid. Slush and mud splashed on a 
  windshield can spell danger for a winter driver. Make sure your washer fluid 
  reservoir is sufficiently full, and keep a spare jug in the trunk. 
• Consider New Wiper Blades. Even if your windshield wiper blades 
  are in good condition, you might want to upgrade to a rubber coated snow blade 
  that can handle the extra weight of wet snow. They’re not expensive, and could 
  make your winter driving a lot safer in the long run. 
• Take a Look at Your Tires. Your tires need to have adequate 
  tread with “grip” to propel you through the snow. 
• Fill Her Up! One of the best driving tips for winter is to 
  keep your tank more than half full at all times. It will help you avoid 
  freezing in your fuel lines, and will keep you safer in winter weather 
  situations.

If for any reason you are in need of assistance with any one of these safety precautions please give us a call and we will be happy to help you in any way we can. Click here to schedule an appointment with Infiniti of West Chester.