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Infiniti gets award for adoption of advanced high-tensile steel in new QX50

Weight has long been known as something that must be reduced as much as possible in a car. Lowering the weight brings benefits to fuel efficiency and handling, two important aspects that engineers keep trying to improve all the time. However, back in the days before computer-aided engineering (CAD), it was difficult to achieve weigh reductions and manufacturing technology then was also not able to handle advanced steel materials.

The advent of high-tensile steel was a big leap forward for the auto industry. This type of steel has high strength but the greater strength does not require extra weight. In fact, compared to conventional steel, high-tensile steel is lighter yet stronger.

Stronger steel produces a number of clear benefits for the customer. The overall weight reduction improves fuel economy, while the increased strength builds on existing safety. Since the steel is stronger, the sections become smaller and more interior space is available, producing environments that are more open for the driver and passengers.

Use of advanced high-tensile steel gets award
When creating the latest QX50, engineers at Infiniti, Nissan’s premium brand, went into molecular detail to ensure it was the best it could be in every aspect, and the science behind a more advanced high-tensile steel used in the QX50 has just received a prestigious global award.

One of the challenges of very high-tensile steel is it can be difficult to work with in the manufacturing process, limiting the complexity of parts and adoption in a new vehicle. In order to make this world’s first steel compatible for mass production, engineers worked directly with a steel supplier to formulate a brand new, high-strength, lightweight and highly formable steel for the model.

980 MPa steel supersedes 590 MPa steel
The new 980 MPa steel, created using a specially developed formula, has superseded the traditional 590 MPa steel. As part of the work around the new steel, an academic paper on ‘The application of 980 MPa advanced high strength steel with high formability’ was chosen for The SAE/AISI Sydney H. Melbourne Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Automotive Steel Sheet. It is awarded by SAE International, a global nonprofit organization based in the USA, which has more than 128,000 participating engineers and researchers working in aerospace, passenger car and commercial vehicle industries.

Around 27% of the QX50 body is made from special steels – an increase of 21% over the previous generation – resulting in a 23 kg mass reduction overall. Within the front of the car alone, the adoption of high-tensile steel has provided a 13 kg weight reduction, while frontal energy absorption improved by 10%.

With the QX50 being the first car in the world to use 980 MPa steel, Infiniti will look into adopting it in more applications in coming years. The goal is to achieve 25% or more of the vehicle weight made from advanced high-strength steel, benefiting customers with reduced weight, improved fuel economy and enhanced levels of safety.

Visit www.infiniti.com.my to know more about the models available in Malaysia.

Volkswagen T-Roc is a crossover that slots below the Tiguan

The wait is over, Volkswagen has finally revealed its newest crossover/SUV, the T-Roc. As such, we now know what to expect when it hits showroom floors. Meant to slot below the Tiguan, VW’s latest offering sports looks that are a combination of several different models.

Built on the same modular transverse matrix (MQB) archtecture as the Atlas, the T-Roc is said to offer 445 litres of cargo space when the vehicle is fully occupied. There’s also the option of folding down the rear backrests in a 60/40 split allowing for that space to be increased to 1,290 litres.

It is the first SUV from the company that will feature a two-tone paint scheme, which include the roof being painted in a colour that best contrasts that of the rest of the bodywork. It’s prominent louvered grille stretches from edge to edge and integrates with the projector headlights quite nicely to form a unified look.

Judging from the side and rear, the T-Roc seems to have taken quite a bit of its design inspiration from the Mk7 Golf, which isn’t a bad thing. The proportions, especially when it comes to the rear, are car-like and seem to complement the sporty look even further. The placement of scuff plates for the front and rear allow for better offroad functionality.

Inside, you get the usual meticulously neat array of dials and switch gear that we are used to seeing from VW. But the The interplay between the Active Info Display and the specific infotainment system provide for a digital and interactive cockpit.

Another noteworthy feature that is being offered with VW’s latest model is the “Security & Service” package (including Emergency Service, Automatic Accident Notification and Roadside Assistance). This may seem like a Godsend especially if you live sketchy parts of town.

Marketed as a five-seat SUV, the T-Roc will be made available with a front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration. The latter is called the 4Motion AWD and will feature the 4Motion Active Control as standard.

Complementing these systems will be the choice of three different petrol and diesel turbocharged engines. As for transmissions, buyers can choose between a manual or the 7-speed dual clutch DSG gearbox.

And like most other VWs, the T-Roc will come with a whole load of safety tech which include, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, the active lane keeping system (Lane Assist) and the Front Assist area monitoring system with Pedestrian Monitoring and City Emergency Braking.

Also available as optional extras are systems such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), Rear View reversing camera, Lane departure system including Rear Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Assist, Park Assist, Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist.

Common to a number of sporty VWs is the adaptive chassis control (DCC) and progressive steering that alter vehicle drive ability based on the selected mode. This feature has become increasingly useful in recent years because owners want their vehicle to be the Jack-of-All-Trades.

The German automaker has yet to announce when production for the T-Roc will commence and has also chosen to keep mum on when we can begin to see these new VWs roll onto showroom floors. All we know at the moment is, that the T-Roc will be on public roads, eventually.