Qashqai Coupe being considered

Nissan is looking at developing a coupe version of its new Qashqai to enter the market for coupe SUVs led by the Range Rover Evoque, writes Brian Byrne.

The moves was confirmed during a Nissan press event in Spain last week.

The second generation Qashqai (pictured above) is now on sale in Ireland. It is built in Sunderland, England, where the new Infiniti Q30 will be built for Europe.

Which begs a question — will the coupe Qashqai actually become an Infiniti model, to pitch to the premium buyers mostly in the coupe SUV market? The Japan-built EX30d medium crossover was launched in Europe in 2010, with a 3.0 diesel V6. It's available in the UK, but never made it to Ireland.

Infiniti cars to be built in the UK

Infiniti, the premium car brand of Nissan Motor Co Ltd, are to manufacture vehicles in Europe from Nissan's production base in Sunderland, in the UK.

The announcement means a substantial investment of around £250 million into the facility and will secure a further 1,000 jobs at the plant and across the UK. The plant will then be able to produce 60,000 Infiniti models per year.

When production begins, Infiniti will become the first new car brand to be manufactured in the UK on this scale in 23 years. The new Infinity will be exported around the world.

Pictured with the Infiniti Etherea is Colin Dodge CBE, Nissan Motor Co Ltd Executive Vice President and Chief Performance Officer.

Infiniti crossover gets diesel

This is the Infiniti EX30d crossover which will debut at Geneva tomorrow and will target the Lexus RX 450, Audi's Q5, and BMW's X3.

Though no Irish Infiniti dealer has yet been established, the Nissan-owned luxury brand will be available in RHD in the UK from the summer.

Power will be a 3.0 V6 diesel with 238hp. The 0-100kim/h performance is said to be under 8 seconds.

Infiniti gets diesel

A new Nissan/Renault V6 diesel will used in the Infiniti brand in Europe, to broaden the appeal of the brand in a marketplace where diesel is essential.

The 3.0 unit will output more than 230hp and have 500Nm of torque.

It will also be available in a number of Nissan and Renault vehicles.

Infiniti is Nissan's luxury brand, and has been very successful in the US.

New Infiniti model for Geneva launch

Infiniti, Nissan's luxury brand for some 20 years, will use the Geneva Motor Show timing to stage the global premiere of its second generation of the iconic FX performance crossover (the current model is shown below). Never before has a new Infiniti been revealed outside of the US.



The brand is also being launched for Western Europe at Geneva.

Infiniti will also unveil the rest of its line-up of performance cars, tailored for the European market: the V6 powered G Sedan, G coupe and EX coupe crossover. This portfolio of products will be launched across Europe, together with the second generation FX, from October 2008.

The V8 powered Infiniti FX will be revealed away from the motor show on the night of Tuesday 4 March at a private ceremony attended by Mr Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO Nissan Motor Co Ltd.