Infiniti released today the list of changes it had to make to its model range to appeal to the European market. The Infiniti European changes include almost every aspect of their vehicles from transmission and engine to Quality and comfort. Engineers from UK, Spain, Belgium and Germany have worked closely with their Japanese counterparts for developing and tuning the European versions of the Infiniti model range.
The Infiniti European changes include the re-mapping V6 and V8 engines to comply with Euro 5 emission regulations, re-mapping of adaptive shift control on new 7-speed automatic, re-tuning of suspension damper and spring settings and revised bushes and the addition of bigger discs for more efficient heat dissipation.
Infiniti Press Release:
Launching Infiniti in Europe has not been the work of a moment. Quite apart from establishing a new management infrastructure from scratch, dealer networks in the various countries and a comprehensive marketing plan to tell the Infiniti story, elements of the cars themselves have been re-tuned to suit European roads and European demands.
Working closely with Infiniti development engineers in Japan, a dedicated team of ten engineers based at the company’s technical centers in the UK, Spain, Belgium and Germany has spent the best part of a year fine tuning numerous aspects of the entire range. The aim is to ensure the cars continue to deliver Infiniti’s superb driving dynamics at Europe’s higher average speeds.
Although the hardware was designed and engineered in Japan, the team has also been involved in dynamic testing of the technical elements unique to European versions of the Infiniti range,
notably the 3.7-litre V6 engine and the new seven speed automatic transmission.
A high percentage of the European crossover market is equipped with automatic transmission and, thanks to the availability manual modes and paddle shifts, a growing proportion of the saloon and coupe markets are going automatic as well.
With this in mind, a new seven speed automatic transmission was developed exclusively for the
Infiniti European market. The task of the NTCE team was to adopt a specific transmission tuning philosophy delivering natural responses to leave the driver feeling in control.
At the same time, engineers have been involved in retuning suspension and steering settings. Infiniti’s concept for Europe is to develop cars with linear steering – especially in terms of weighting and response – and a controlled, responsive chassis giving the perfect balance between ride comfort and handling. The result is a poised, confidence inspiring chassis that promises genuine fun from behind the wheel.
Brake and steering feel has also been targeted as has noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
Many of the electronic driver aids have been recalibrated for Europe and, of course, a number of changes have been made to ensure that European-specific legislative requirements have been met.
But it is not just major items that have been come under the spotlight. The attention to detail extends, for example, to items such as the switchgear labelling. English script as found on American models might be suitable for cars destined for the UK but not for Europe as a whole. Suitable graphics are used instead.
The team even found time to fine tune the exhaust note so that the quality of the sound was more appealing… while still satisfying drive-by noise regulations.
The changes in full:
Transmission
Automatic
• Re-mapping of adaptive shift control on new 7-speed automatic to reduce hunting and prevent unwanted shifts when cornering or climbing hills: the result mirrors the way a manual car would perform
• Fine-tuning of shift points to provide greater differentiation between gearshift modes (Standard and Sport)
• Altering software to deliver smoother, almost imperceptible, gear changes
• Reduction in slip feel by increased use of lock up, and provision of more engine braking to give improved control.
• Focus on fuel economy with long-legged overdrive seventh ratio
Manual
• Lighter clutch action on manual versions
• Reduced vibration through shift lever for greater comfort and refinement
Engines
• Re-mapping V6 and V8 engines to comply with Euro 5 emission regulations
Chassis/steering
• Re-tuning of suspension damper and spring settings and revised bushes
• Revised damper settings established for higher average speeds (>160 kmh) and European road surfaces
• Settings were initially developed to provide greater body control on standard models, but have also been adopted on Sport versions
• Electronic dampers (FX) retuned to meet European ride comfort expectations
• ESP recalibrated for smoother response
Steering
• Steering response altered to cope with higher average speeds, especially on Sport models with four-wheel active steering
• Result provides maximum high speed stability and lowers likelihood of exaggerated response to small steering inputs at high speeds (sneeze factor)
Brakes
• Bigger discs for more efficient heat dissipation in line with high average speeds (G37 models are biggest in class)
• Unique 18in alloy wheels to house bigger brake calipers (18” on G37/ 20” on FX37)
• Pedal ‘feel’ enhanced for easier modulation and linear operation to enhance feeling of being in control
Refinement
• Improved wind noise suppression at speed using:
• Different door seals
• Redesigned wiper arms
• Enhanced noise insulation in A-pillar
• Additional NVH material in front foot well to lower road and tyre noise
• Additional engine insulation to compensate for higher noise levels linked to higher engine speeds
• Re-tuning of exhaust system to enhance sound quality under acceleration: resulting system uses existing components but is unique to European cars
Quality/comfort
• Thicker carpets (+40%) on all models
• Redesigned door sills with fabric look
• New satin chrome interior door handles matching gear shifter
• Matt-look leather trim to match door panels
• Revised switchgear for heated/cooled seats
• Improved displays on instrument cluster
• Vehicle specifics
• Enhanced soft touch lower door trim on G37
• Deletion of snow mode for automatic cars (softer pick up with 7-speed)
• Door trim and grab handle on G37 Coupé with matching “washi paper” finish
• Enhanced leather trim on EX (real leather on door trim)
• Aluminium grab handle on EX tonneau cover
• Improved tonneau cover on FX
Comfort
• Wider sport seat cushion to help deliver greater support from adjustable bolsters
• Revised logic settings for parking sensors to reduce distance at which audible warning cuts in
• Revised logic settings for adaptive headlamps to allow full functionality at top speed
• Efficient flat blade wipers and enhanced washer performance to cope with higher average speeds
Sundry changes
• Revised trunk under floor area providing dedicated housing area for first aid kit and warning triangle
• New switchgear graphics (replacing English script)
• Revised number plate surrounds
