Infiniti reveals new biturbo V6

Infiniti has today confirmed it will unleash a powerful new engine range in Australia in the second half of 2016, starting with an all-new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that belts out up to 298kW and 475Nm.

As confirmed to motoring.com.au last month, Infiniti's new biturbo V6 will spearhead a new family of engines that could eventually be deployed on a range of vehicles from Infiniti and Nissan, including the successor to the Nissan 370Z.

But first and foremost the new engine will make its Australian debut in the Infiniti Q50 medium prestige sedan, currently the brand's best-selling model, later in 2016.

Two levels of tune will be offered with the force-fed V6, 224kW and 298kW, the latter significantly more mumbo than BMW's just-introduced 340i, whose brand-new 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo engine develops 58kW less at 240kW.

Nissan's muscular new engine range, dubbed VR, is lighter and smaller than the current VQ engine family it will replace, which has been used by Infiniti and Nissan since its inception in 1994.

The VQ engine range was itself one of the most awarded engines of the modern era, so clearly the VR V6 engines will have a lot to live up to.

Some of the key features of the all-aluminium VR engines, which promise to be significantly more efficient and less polluting, include direct petrol injection, an integrated exhaust manifold built into the cylinder-head and loads of advanced turbo tech, such as (optical) turbine speed sensors, specialised turbine blade design, an electronic wastegate actuator and water-cooled engine charging.

Simply put, the new 3.0-litre donk should be more refined and more economical while packing a much bigger punch than before.

To be built at Nissan's Iwaki factory in Fukushima, Japan, the all-aluminium engine is said to be around seven per cent more efficient than its predecessor. Vital statistics are:

3.0-litre twin-turbo V6
224kW at 6400rpm
400Nm at 1600-5200rpm

3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 (high-output)
298kW at 6400rpm
475Nm at 1600-5200rpm

As the specs show, maximum torque arrives early and is sustained until high in the rev range, which together with high power outputs should make the Q50 a very rapid machine.

The new Q50 arriving in Australia in the second half of 2016 will also herald a number of upgrades besides the powertrain, such as a new adaptive suspension system dubbed 'dynamic digital suspension'.

As well as adjusting ride comfort it's connected to adjustable engine and steering response systems, the latter being the second-generation version of Infiniti's direct adaptive steering (steer by wire) system, which lets drivers adjust the amount of steering assistance and feedback levels.

Q50 Vehicles fitted with the new twin-turbo V6 feature new-look alloy wheels and larger twin exhaust outlets. The US-spec models are wear Q50S badges.

As Nissan's luxury brand, Infiniti finally appears to be hitting top gear with the new Q30 and QX30 small luxury cars on their way, all-new V6 engines rolling out and the Q60 coupe to be revealed at the Detroit motor show in January, when a facelifted version of North America's QX60 will also appear.

The seven-seat SUV gets a fresh-new look and adopts a range of advanced driving aids and more luxury features than previously. The QX60 is not offered in right-hand drive which means it's a no-go for Australia.

The only thing left on Infiniti's 'to-do' list is to launch a performance sub-brand to rival the likes of Mercedes-AMG, BMW M and Lexus F. And why not throw in a Infiniti supercar too?