By: Nathan Adlen
This is NOT about politics – seriously – we don’t do politics at TFLCar.com.
Looking for a representative for little people is difficult. Fearing overuse of Billy Barty, Bridget the Midget or Rob Schneider – we needed someone else. I wanted to find the prefect little man (or: dictator-like, munchkin that suffered from a Napoleonic complex) and I’ve found him in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
First the good news:
- The 2011 Infiniti QX56 is a major improvement over the previous model – it’s based on Nissan’s overseas-only bruiser, the Patrol. The Armada platform is gone.
- The only engine available for the 2011 Infiniti QX56 is the excellent, 400 horsepower 5.6-liter V8 that produces 413 pound-feet of torque. That’s a significant gain over the last iteration despite being related to the last 5.6 liter V8.
- There is plenty of space – Mr. Ahmadinejad can easily luxuriate in the power folding third row. Normally, that seating area is appropriate for small children.
- The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system is a slick piece of engineering. It employs shock absorbers that work in unison to control body roll in every direction. They are all connected to each other and send hydraulic pressure to the shocks that need it most. For such a massive vehicle, this bit of tech makes the handling rather sprightly.
- Anyone would like the switch that allows the second row to be remotely folded from the front seats. This makes access to the third row a breeze for smaller (ahem) passengers.
- Mr. Ahmadinejad can have a few high ranking officials drive him through restless crowds at high velocity it complete silence. It is very quite within.
- It is easy to find wayward hikers near the border using Nissan/Infiniti’s fantastic bird’s eye Around View™ parking assist display. It incorporates mini cameras located throughout the exterior of the QX56. Software then translates the images of the ground and simulates the ground surrounding the Infiniti QX56. What you get is an image of the vehicle you’re driving and the surrounding obstacles. It’s uncanny and makes maneuvering/parking/snatching-up hikers in this big vehicle a breeze.
The not so good news:
- It costs about $60K fully loaded with 4WD. That might require diverting over excessive funds from the military.
- It's tall.
- It’s SO massive all around – even inside. I mean, his wee hands are so tiny how could he hope to grasp a thick, wood-lined steering wheel like the QX56’s? Despite a multitude of adjustments, I doubt the little guy can reach the pedals AND see over the steering wheel at the same time. Normal folk (four-foot ten to six-foot five) will have no problem.
- The side vents look like they came from a dissident country’s boring automotive parts bin (like Buick’s).
- Although there is 112 cubic feet of cargo space – which is good enough to store some weapon’s grade plutonium storage containers, there is only 19.3 cubic feet when the third row is up. Heck, that’s barely enough space for a dirty bomb.
- Mr. Ahmadinejad may need to drive deep over his border to pick up spies walking around in Iraq. If so, the optional 22-inch wheels will be ruined – not to mention the ride.
- No matter how much you want to deny the Lexus has a more luxurious cachet, no one will believe you when you pull up in the QX56.
- A new, more efficient seven-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission available for the QX56 (that’s good). Rear wheel drive is standard and a fully automatic four wheel drive system is optional. The 2011 Infiniti QX56 is estimated to get 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway (that’s not so good).
- The 2011 Infiniti QX56 can tow up to 8,500 lbs when properly equipped – which is more than adequate when towing a mockup of a poorly designed, pilotless drone. It’s not enough to tow Soviet era tanks.
We try to avoid making fun of people… although you’ve GOT to laugh when you see Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his “Mini-me,” white disco-suit. As for the 2011 Infiniti QX56; despite being a bit of an anachronism in today’s automotive landscape, the 2011 Infiniti QX56 is an excellent effort. It is pricy, thirsty and WAY too big for vertically challenged dictators. It is very comfortable and luxurious. This huge SUV definitely gives shoppers of Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Land Rover and even Cadillac a real alternative.
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