AcuraZdx

Lexus, Infiniti Not Currently Planning BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Competitors

BMW 535i Gran Turismo – Click above for high-res image gallery

Depending on who you ask, BMW is either at the forefront of an exciting new automotive genre with the 5 Series Gran Turismo, or is inventing market segments with no real purpose other than to grab several thousand new sales from those who simply must be seen in the latest trendy niche. In other words, the 5 Series GT is nothing if not polarizing.

For now, it seems that you can put such luxury brands Lexus and Infiniti in the latter camp, though fellow upmarket Japanese automaker Acura is headed down a similar path as its German counterpart with the new ZDX – at least with regard to the X6. Speaking to Auto Observer at the New York Auto Show, Ben Poore, Nissan North America's vice president of the Infiniti business unit, said, "What [we are] seeing is a much stronger preference (among consumers) for a trunk."

Granted, some may see little difference between such vehicles as the 5 Series GT and Infiniti's own EX and FX crossovers, but Poore suggests the machines aren't direct competitors. "I'd rather be on (either) the crossover styling or the trunk styling," he said. Dave Nordstrom, Lexus' vice president of marketing, concurs, saying, "We don't have any plans for it right now. We have not seen the demand from our customers – but we continue to look at it."

Gallery: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

[Source: Auto Observer]

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Acura Presents New ZDX Crossover-Utility Vehicle

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Opinions remain divided on a new class of luxury crossovers that are sweeping the market. Some say they're completely useless, while other embrace their sporty nature. So far they've only included the Infiniti FX and the new BMW X6, but now Acura has joined the fray with the new ZDX.

If this looks somewhat familiar to you, it's because the production model which Honda's luxury division just launched closely mirrors the concept car it unveiled at the New York Auto Show just this past April. The production model features all the latest developments from the Japanese automaker, including a 300-horsepower variable-valve 3.7-liter V6 (the same as that found in the TL and RL luxury sedans) driving through the company's very first six-speed automatic transmission and the advanced Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system. Couple all of that with an avant-garde luxurious interior and suddenly BMW and Infiniti have got some serious company to contend with. .

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