Infiniti QX70 II (Notizie)

[Touareg 2.5]

LOS ANGELES -- The Infiniti FX crossover, which put the luxury brand on a bolder design path when it first appeared in 2002, is being redesigned to provide more cabin space.Shiro Nakamura, global design chief for Nissan Motor Co. and its various brands, says Infiniti believes making the model roomier -- while keeping its assertive styling -- will help boost sales in its next generation.

The next version is not due until 2015 or early 2016. The 2014 models, which are arriving now, have been renamed the QX70 as part of a new naming system across Infiniti.

"The FX has been the icon of Infiniti," Nakamura said during a media event here. "Exterior and styling-wise, it's very strong as an icon. But to be honest, its sale volume has not been as big as we wanted.

"I think we put a little too much emphasis on exterior styling on the current FX," he said. "There is a balance. But if you compare it to some competitors, like Porsche Cayenne, we have some disadvantage.

"It's not a weakness, but there's some opportunity for us there. So our challenge is to maintain the striking look of it while making it slightly larger inside."

Roominess will be a styling challenge for a number of upcoming Infiniti vehicles as the brand adds smaller vehicles and front-wheel-drive platforms.

The Q30 concept Infiniti will unveil at the Frankfurt auto show this month is a fwd compact. Infiniti has hinted other small vehicles are in the pipeline.

"The proportions are different on a front-wheel car," the design chief points out. "One of our challenges will be how to put our statement of Infiniti-ness into smaller, front-wheel vehicles."

Infiniti's stylists are being particularly careful with the look of the next FX/QX70 because it has become a big seller in new markets.

"It is selling well in China and Russia because it stands out," he says, "so we want to maintain that striking look."