The INFINITI QX56 was created to exceed the expectations of full-size luxury SUV owners. It offers ample power from a standard 320-horsepower DOHC 5.6-liter V8 engine, ample interior roominess with seating for up to eight, maximum utility with generous cargo space, excellent towing capacity and rugged off-road capability. Owners have enthusiastically responded to the QX56, voting it the top large premium multi-activity vehicle in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, which measures how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive.
The QX56 enters the 2007 model year with minor enhancements, most notably a power increase of five horsepower (from 315 to 320) and three lb-ft of torque (from 390 to 393). A new color, Pacific Sapphire, is also offered.
The QX56, since the introduction for the 2004 model year, has become a benchmark in class, with standard luxury features such as front Active Head Restraints, RearView Monitor and Rear Proximity Sensor, power folding outside mirrors with heat, electrochromic auto-dimming, power adjust and integrated turn signal, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System and mp3 playback capability.
“The QX56 offers the power, roominess, innovation and utility that SUV owners demand in their vehicles,” said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, INFINITI Division. “The QX56 addresses the unmet needs in the SUV class admirably from a hardware standpoint. But it also asserts itself with tremendous luxury and style, more than with just its physical scale and capabilities.”
True Luxury in Look and Feel
INFINITI QX56 is designed for luxury SUV buyers who are looking for something new and different, providing a combination of practical elegance and ergonomic thoughtfulness with a rewarding level of comfort and indulgence.
The exterior styling projects a powerful presence, beginning with its large hood, INFINITI-style chrome "waterfall" grille and taut, barrel-shaped sides. The elegant front end design continues with jewel-like xenon headlights located low in the fenders, combined with the integrated halogen fog lamps. Large 18-inch tires are placed close to the edge of the wheelwells, enhancing the athletic stance, while the standard 7-spoke chromed aluminum-alloy wheels and chrome wheel lip moldings – connected visually by the standard body side cladding and running boards – complement the QX56's sophisticated luxury imagery.
In the rear, INFINITI-style LED tail and brake lights provide additional visual distinction. A power-operated liftgate with opening rear glass and a large bumper with integrated towing hardware (optional on 2WD) complete the rear exterior appearance.
The exterior design also offers a long list of additional features, including chrome front door handles, dual power-adjustable heated electrochromic auto-dimming chrome side mirrors with puddle lamps and integrated turn signal, privacy glass for the 2nd and 3rd rows and power-operated flip-out rear quarter windows.
Also standard is a Rear Proximity Sensor (back-up obstacle warning system) housed in the rear bumper. This feature is aided by a standard INFINITI RearView Monitor system, utilizing a small CCD camera discretely located in the rear license plate finisher to provide a picture of what is behind the vehicle (projected on the QX56's standard navigation system LCD monitor)
A Rich, Spacious Interior
The QX56’s opulent interior parallels INFINITI premium cars. Taking advantage of its long 123.2-inch wheelbase and manageable 206.9-inch overall length, the QX56’s designers filled the SUV’s spacious interior with a high level of roominess, comfort and convenience features, as well as a distinctively luxurious atmosphere.
The interior starts with modern styling of the instrument panel, seats and storage areas and the use of first quality materials such as Sojourner® leather-appointed seating surfaces and thick (16-oz.) Tuscano carpeting. Genuine Dark Macore or Blonde Apaya wood trim is used on the center console cover and steering wheel, with aluminum accents on the steering wheel trim and instrument panel finisher.
The front seats feature 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, while both the front and 2nd row seats are heated. The front passenger seat folds down and includes a recessed “work area.”
The standard seating configuration includes fold-flat 2nd row captain’s chairs with integrated armrests and a removable 2nd row center console. A fold-flat 2nd row bench seat is also available, providing 8-passenger seating. The QX56 also offers 2nd row leg room of 41.9 inches and large front center console storage capacity.
The 3rd row seating area, often overlooked in SUV design, treats passengers with the same high level of attention as those in the first two rows. The 3rd row seats are elevated (higher than the 2nd row) to provide a better forward view and to help facilitate easier conversation with forward occupants. The QX56 is the only vehicle in its class with standard 3rd row passenger side curtain air bag protection.
A 60/40 split fold-flat 3rd row seat is standard on the 2007 QX56. The seat’s fold-flat design provides easy operation and easy access, along with cargo hauling flexibility. In addition to ample headroom, the 3rd row provides passengers with individual side storage bins and cupholders.
There is also ample storage space behind the 3rd row seat. With the 2nd and 3rd row seats folded down, the cargo area is nearly flat. Additionally, with the front passenger seat in the folded down position, it is possible to carry long items with the rear liftgate closed.
The QX56's instrument panel is highlighted by Fine Vision instrument illumination, a signature INFINITI analog clock, dual-zone electronically controlled climate control and a standard DVD-based navigation system with 7.0-inch LCD screen. A Bose® audio system with 10 speakers, AM/FM/6-CD autochanger with mp3 playback capability and steering wheel mounted controls is standard on every QX56. The system includes dual media capability, which allows the use of radio and CD at the same time (headphones must be used to listen to second audio source). Also standard is a Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System. Satellite radio is offered as a factory option with choice of XM® or Sirius™ services.
Adjustable brake and accelerator pedals with transmission interlock and memory function are standard, part of the Auto Driving Position memory system that includes memory for pedals, outside mirrors and driver's seat. The QX56's full-length overhead console features individual map lights and ventilation for each passenger. The optional INFINITI DVD Mobile Entertainment System includes a flip-down console-mounted monitor, as well as storage compartments for the system’s two wireless headphones and remote controller.
Other standard interior features include four 12V power outlets, rear air conditioning with dual controls (front and rear), rear heater duct, driver and front passenger one-touch auto up/down power windows, rear auto-down power windows, 12 cupholders and bottle holders (some with capability of holding up to 64 oz. bottles), standard HomeLink® Universal Transceiver and rear area ceiling/floor-mounted cargo tie-down points and cargo net. Two interior colors are available, Willow and Graphite.
Athletic Power and Handling
The QX56 blends responsive acceleration with agile handling through use of its leading edge engine and chassis design. For 2007, the standard 5.6-liter DOHC V8 has been revised to produce 320 horsepower at 4,900 RPM and 393 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 RPM. Nearly 90 percent of the engine's impressive torque is available below 2,500 rpm – where it's needed for hauling, towing or slow-speed off-road driving.
To achieve this level of power, advanced design features have been employed, such as an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, molybdenum-coated pistons, 6-bolt main bearing caps, heavy duty cooling system, single-stage timing chain and, for precise control, an electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle.
The QX56's V8 is assembled at Nissan's advanced engine facility in Decherd, Tenn.
Every QX56 also comes with a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with tow/haul modes for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. The transmission is geared specifically for use in high torque situations and includes an advanced torque converter design for improved fuel economy and an advanced powertrain management program for smooth shift quality.
A gated floor shifter provides enhanced shift control when towing. The transmission's tow/haul mode revises the shift pattern when towing and hauling. The QX56 has a maximum towing capacity of 9,000 pounds for RWD and 8,900 pounds for 4WD (when properly equipped).
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Active Brake Limited-Slip (ABLS) (includes deactivation switch) is also offered as standard on every QX56.
The QX56 is available in two drive configurations – rear-wheel drive and a four-wheel drive model featuring the INFINITI All-Mode 4WD system with RWD/4HI/4LO modes and an electronically controlled part-time transfer case with low gear. The two-speed electronic transfer case allows the driver to select between auto, full-time all-wheel drive and 4LO.
The QX56's All-Mode 4WD system is designed to instantly distribute torque to all four wheels whenever road conditions warrant (up to 50 percent can go to the front wheels on demand), resulting in optimal traction. Under normal driving conditions, 4WD QX56s operate in rear-wheel drive mode. All 4WD QX56s include heavy-duty skid plates for the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case.
The QX56 is built on a durable fully boxed, high-strength steel F-Alpha frame and features standard Dana front and rear axles. The combination of comfortable ride and responsive handling comes from the 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars.
An advanced rear auto-leveling air suspension is also standard on every QX56, helping provide better handling stability and ride comfort when towing or hauling cargo.
The air suspension also maintains uniform ground clearance and departure angle, even when towing or carrying cargo, by automatically adjusting the air pressure in the system's air bladders.
“The QX56's independent rear suspension benefits users in many ways – optimizing ride and handling on rough roads, improving ride quality for occupants in the 2nd and 3rd row seats and maximizing rear interior space through its low-profile design,” said Igo. “This is one more way that QX56 owners get the benefits of full-size SUV utility without being penalized in the areas of ride comfort and handling.”
The 2007 QX56 also features standard engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, 4-wheel disc brakes with Bosch Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), 7-spoke 18x8J chromed aluminum-alloy wheels and 265/70R18 SUV tires and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with standard warning lamp (in gauge cluster) and warning display. A standard 28-gallon fuel tank provides an excellent driving range.
Optional is INFINITI's advanced Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), which allows the QX56 driver to maintain an appropriate distance from the vehicle ahead. Using a combination of laser sensors, throttle and brake actuators and the QX56’s braking system, a laser signal measures the distance to the vehicle ahead, then automatically adjusts the QX56's speed to maintain a pre-selected following distance. (The system is not intended for congested areas or city driving and will not brake the vehicle to a complete stop.)
Also available is Preview Braking. Preview Braking works side-by-side with Brake Assist. Whereas normally braking is activated only when the driver recognizes the need and moves his or her foot to activate the brake pedal, the preview function utilizes the ICC sensors to identify potential sudden braking situations and “pre-pressurizes” the Brake Assist system before the driver steps on the brake pedal. This helps maximize braking response and performance by reducing the normal brake system activation time.
Advanced Safety Technology
The 2007 INFINITI QX56 offers an extensive list of standard safety features, including standard supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover to all three rows, side-impact supplemental air bags (front seat-mounted), an Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front passenger occupant classification sensor and front seat Active Head Restraints.
The QX56 design also includes Zone Body construction with front and rear crushable zones, 3-point front seat belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters, 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants (including center position) and LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system.
Everything You Want in One Fully Equipped Model
The QX56 full-size luxury SUV is designed to take the complexity out of the buying decision. The QX56 comes in one well-equipped model, in a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Standard equipment includes the 5.6-liter V8, 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel independent suspension with auto-leveling rear, leather-appointed seating, advanced Bose audio system, navigation system, RearView Monitor and much more.
Options and packages include the Power Sunroof, XM® or Sirius™ satellite radio, Tow Package (standard on 4WD), 2nd-row Split Bench Seat Package, INFINITI DVD Mobile Entertainment System and Intelligent Cruise Control.
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