Infiniti Upgrades Drivetrain Technology in ’22 QX60 CUV

The popular QX60 luxury CUV took a gap year from the Infiniti lineup in 2021 but will return for 2022, almost completely new.

We’ve already heard from Infiniti about the new vehicle’s much-improved towing capacity and totally reworked transmission, and now the automaker has announced its all-wheel-drive system will be more advanced than before in more ways than one.

The tried-and-true 3.5L V-6 from the previous QX60 remains in place for 2022, but it’s surrounded by updated drivetrain tech. The unit produces 295 hp and 270 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) of torque.

The new gearbox works with a fresh AWD system that can send up to 50% of the engine’s power to the rear wheels when increased traction is necessary.

The QX60 also will use an active braking differential that can shift power further between individual rear wheels, almost like a torque-vectoring system. Infiniti’s proud of the AWD system in the new QX60, saying it is more sure-footed and can help the vehicle get moving over the trickiest of road conditions, such as ice and snow.

Infiniti previously detailed the QX60’s new transmission, which itself has been rigorously tested in a variety of demanding conditions. The gearbox was developed in partnership with transmission specialist ZF.

Infiniti says the 9-speed has a larger ratio spread, which will deliver both solid acceleration and reasonable fuel economy on the highway.

Shift speed and smoothness have been improved to the point that they should be almost imperceptible to the driver, and the gearbox uses Infiniti’s Active Torque Mount to help isolate vibrations and reduce noise in the cabin.

That gearbox contributes to the QX60’s success in towing, where the CUV can pull up to 6,000 lbs. (2,720 kg). That’s a 20% increase in towing capacity from prior model years with the same engine in place.

The QX60 is an important vehicle for Infiniti, having sold over 400,000 units since its inception in 2013. The automaker hasn’t announced pricing or release date details yet but says it will make more information available closer to the QX60’s launch later in 2021.

INFINITI QX60 22 towing