While American consumers will get different variations of the 2001 Infiniti QX4 when it goes on sale in April, Canadians will get a single, well-equipped, 4x4 version of the substantially revised luxury-esque sport-ute for $48,000.
A single model makes it easier for Nissan Canada's upscale division to market and maintain, of course, but the company also notes that reducing complexity helps them keep the price down, though not so much that it hasn't gone up $3,500 from the previous model.
A lot of that extra money can be explained by the fact that the QX4 gets a lot of changes for 2001, but nothing compares to the difference wrought by the new engine. By going from a 3.3-litre V6 to a 3.5-litre V6, QX4's zero to 60 mph time drops from 11.2 to 9.1 seconds.
This increased launch power, as well as increased passing power, comes from a horsepower rating of 240 at 6000 rpm and a torque rating of 265 at 3200 rpm. Those are increases of 70 and 65, respectively.
The transmission was upgraded to go with the new engine, and directs the power to the wheels through the Advanced All-Mode 4WD system.
Change is first evident in QX4's exterior style, since has a new grille and front bumper, a new rear fascia and bumper, and body-colored side cladding with integrated fender flares, body-colored steprails. Also new are the high-intensity discharge Xenon headlights with an automatic on/off feature, and foglights with integrated turn signals.