2015 Infiniti Q70 Preview: New York Auto Show

The 2015 Infiniti Q70 is not an entirely new car, but Infiniti has added a long wheelbase model to the car that you might remember a few years ago was named the “M.” Although it seems like the answer to the question nobody asked, the truth is that the new long wheelbase version, the 2015 Infiniti Q70L, seems to visually outclass the regular, shorter version. 

While most luxury companies create a longer sedan only for the Chinese market to accommodate the upscale customers who have drivers to get them through horrendous traffic each day, Infiniti is the first to make that type of vehicle available in the USA. The car will also come in a regular length version and as a hybrid, just as the company offered last year. With few other changes except for some small exterior tweeks, the Q70 will be a market test for a country that has been downsizing for years.

What’s New for the 2015 Infiniti Q70:

The new 2015 Infiniti Q70L, went from 114.2 inches to 120.1 inches, stretching the sedan 7.3 inches in total. As a result, rear seat room has increased by 5.6 inches for the lucky riders.

Other changes are found in new headlights that feature LEDs in the back and front. The new grille has the same “double-arch” motif as before, but uses mesh in the inserts this time. The interior has changed very little, but it didn’t need much of an update since the last iteration was quite beautiful and functional.

Four safety options have been added to the availability list for the lineup. We’ve seen each of these in previous models, but they are new for the Q70. Active safety comes in the form of Predictive Forward Collision Warning, a system that wars drivers of potential risks beyond their view, and the awesome Around View Monitor system, which does exactly as its name implies. And if the driver isn’t properly informed or engaged enough with these systems, Infiniti has added its Backup Collision Intervention, which makes the car stop when it senses an object while the car is backing up, and its Forward Emergency Braking feature that applies the brakes if the car is about to crash moving forward.

There are very few changes under the hood, but they are minimal. For the long-wheelbase version, the same 3.7-liter V6 and 5.6 liter V8 that was available on the last Q70 will apply, but the output on the V8 will lose around 4 horses – creating only 416 horsepower to the 7-speed automatic transmission. Also worth noting is that the 3.5 liter V6 Hybrid version will not change and will also not be available on the long wheelbase version.

2015 Infiniti Q70: What Autobytel Thinks

Infiniti needs some love in the luxury market and is looking for that love primarily in the Chinese market. Alongside the announcement of the long wheelbase being released to the American market, Infiniti announced their recent global headquarters move to Hong Kong in an attempt to increase their close watch on this emerging market and its penchant for luxury cars.

Although this was not a year for major changes on the Infiniti Q70, Infiniti is making overt moves toward independence from Nissan and its commitment to true luxury products via its flagship sedan.