Infiniti G Series to Use Mercedes Four-Cylinder Engine
Renault-Nissan and Daimler’s alliance will see the next Infiniti G adopt a Mercedes-supplied four-cylinder, with petrol and possibly diesel options under discussion.
Infiniti’s G series will receive a Mercedes-sourced four-cylinder engine as part of the technical partnership between Renault-Nissan and Daimler, confirmed in April 2010. The move is a direct result of the agreement for shared powertrains and platforms between the two groups.
The exact specification of the Mercedes engine destined for the Infiniti G has not yet been revealed. At the time of the announcement, Carlos Ghosn, then CEO of Renault-Nissan, did not confirm which four-cylinder unit would be supplied. Mercedes-Benz’s four-cylinder engines, including both petrol and diesel variants, were under consideration for the project.
Engine options under review
Mercedes did not sell four-cylinder petrol models in the US at the time, but the new agreement raised the possibility of such engines being introduced to both the Infiniti G and the Mercedes C-Class. The C-Class was scheduled for US production in Alabama from 2014, which could streamline engine supply and reduce costs for both brands.
A diesel option was also being evaluated, specifically the 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel available in European E-Class models. This engine, with direct injection and a two-stage turbocharger, produced 204hp and 369lb ft of torque in UK specification. However, it was unclear whether this diesel could be certified for US emissions standards at the time.
Sales importance and alliance context
The Infiniti G’s strong sales in the US market underlined the importance of the model for Nissan’s luxury division. In the first quarter of 2010, G series sales were reported to be 28 per cent higher than the same period in 2009. The introduction of a more efficient four-cylinder engine was expected to help Infiniti compete in markets where fuel economy and emissions regulations were tightening, and where rivals increasingly offered downsized turbocharged engines.
The Renault-Nissan and Daimler partnership covered more than just engine supply. It included joint development of platforms and sharing of other technologies, aiming to improve economies of scale for both manufacturers. For Infiniti, access to Mercedes powertrains provided a route to broaden its engine range without the full development costs of a new four-cylinder.
What happens next
Further details on which Mercedes four-cylinder would be fitted to the Infiniti G, and whether a diesel would join the range, were expected to follow as the partnership developed. The C-Class and Infiniti G were likely to share more components in future, reflecting the broader strategy behind the Franco-German alliance.
