New Infiniti Hybrid Set to Debut at New York Auto Show

Infiniti announced Friday that the all-new 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid will debut March 27 at the New York International Auto Show. The CUV will be the hybrid version of the QX60, recently known as the JX35, and will go on sale this summer.
The Infiniti QX60 Hybrid will be offered with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive and will start at an estimated $3,000 more than the non-hybrid model, which starts at $41,250 for the 2013 model year. The 2014 Infiniti Q70, Q50 and QX60 hybrids will be a part of Infiniti’s new Direct Response Hybrid system. Infiniti says in a press release that this system will give the vehicles the power of a V6 engine and fuel efficiency of a four-cylinder engine. “The new Infiniti QX60 Hybrid is projected to realize 26 miles per gallon fuel economy (combined city/highway driving) – a 24 percent increase over non-hybrid QX60 models. …” The V6, gas-powered 2013 JX35 gets a combined 21 mpg.
Infiniti says the 2014 QX60 Hybrid will have a 2.5-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine and electric motor that are expected to produce a combined 250 horsepower, mated to a continuously variable transmission. Available features will include Backup Collision Intervention, which stops the vehicle while in reverse if it detects something behind it, and an Around View Monitor that uses four cameras for the driver to have a 360-degree view around the vehicle.
Autoblog writes, “This will be the first three-row hybrid CUV (from a premium brand, anyway) offered in the US market. …” However, there are other luxury hybrid SUVS, including the 2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, which rides on a truck-based platform, and the 2013 Lexus RX Hybrid, which has two rows and is a crossover SUV.
An Infiniti spokesman told Edmunds that the 2014 QX60 Hybrid will compete against the Acura MDX and Audi Q7. Both the 2013 Acura MDX and 2013 Audi Q7 currently rank higher than the 2013 Infiniti JX (known as QX for 2014) in our luxury crossover SUV and luxury midsize SUV rankings.

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Refreshed 2014 Buick LaCrosse Revealed

Buick unveiled a refreshed version of the 2014 LaCrosse Monday at the New York International Auto Show. This is the first significant refresh of the affordable large car since it was last fully redesigned for the 2010 model year.
In a press release, Buick details the changes to the LaCrosse, which include updated interior and exterior styling and new interior technology features. Buick says the refreshed model’s cabin features new seats and a redesigned instrument panel and console, which house an updated version of Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system.
Kicking Tires notes that the new center stack “looks far easier to use at a glance,” with less buttons to confuse users. There are just seven buttons for the radio now, whereas the previous version of IntelliLink had 17 buttons.

There are also newly-available safety features on the 2014 LaCrosse, including lane departure warning, forward collision alert and rear cross traffic alert. The new model will also be available with GM’s Safety Alert Seat, which initially debuted on the Cadillac XTS. The Safety Alert Seat vibrates to alert the driver when an obstruction behind the car is detected when backing up, or when the car is drifting out of its lane.
On the outside, the LaCrosse gets new head- and taillights that feature LED elements, as well as a revamped front grille. Autoblog says the changes “help give the car a fresh, new look.”
The LaCrosse’s mechanical bits remain largely unchanged. Front wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. Two engines are available: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with eAssist, which is GM’s mild hybrid powertrain, or a 3.6-liter V6. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Buick LaCrosse competes with other affordable large cars such as the Ford Taurus, Chrysler 300, Hyundai Azera and Toyota Avalon, all of which have been recently updated. The LaCrosse is currently our top-ranked car in this category.
Buick hasn’t yet announced pricing for the 2014 LaCrosse, but the 2013 model starts at $31,660.

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