Welcome Back, Makis Hodge: INFINITI of South Atlanta’s New General Manager

A premium SUV with world-first technologies, stand-out design and unrivaled interior space. Distinctive proportions, with INFINITI's signature Powerful Elegance design VC-Turbo: The world's first production-ready variable compression ratio engine ProPILOT Assist: Intuitive technologies support the driver and keep occupants safe and connected All-new platform provides unrivaled space and efficient packaging, with high quality cabin materials INFINITI has revealed the all-new QX50 - a premium mid-size SUV with world-first technologies, stand-out design and unrivalled interior space, all on an entirely new platform. Remaining true to the design of the QX50 Concept and QX Sport Inspiration, the QX50's aerodynamic exterior reinterprets INFINITI's distinctive Powerful Elegance design language and signature design cues for the SUV segment. It combines a confident stance with intelligent packaging, while deep character lines highlight the influence of human artistry in the design process. The QX50 is built an all-new platform, featuring a front-engine, front-wheel drive-based layout. Engineered with flexibility of application in mind, the new platform sets new standards for refinement, rigidity and interior space in the compact premium SUV segment. The unrivalled interior space, artistic application of high quality materials, and advanced craftsmanship make the cabin as welcoming and comfortable as it is flexible. Driver-centric, yet passenger-minded, the QX50 offers a package of technologies to enhance the driving experience. Its asymmetric layout and calm, connected ambience is designed to meet different needs of the driver and passengers. The VC-Turbo engine is the world's first production-ready variable compression ratio engine, transforming on demand. A breakthrough in combustion engine design, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine adjusts its compression ratio to optimize power and efficiency. It combines the power of a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with the torque and efficiency of a four-cylinder diesel engine. A compelling alternative to diesel, it challenges the notion that only hybrid and diesel powertrains can deliver high torque and efficiency. ProPILOT Assist technologies react discreetly and autonomously to certain driving situations, supporting the driver with a range of empowering 'co-pilot' features, placing them in total control.

December was an exciting month for INFINITI of South Atlanta's wholesale parts customers. For every wholesale parts order placed, each customer received one raffle ticket to win not only a Curved 55" Samsung TV, but also an XBOX One gaming console. With hundreds of entries received, our deserving winner is Elite Auto Collision. At Elite Auto Collision, they believe in "Quality The First Time." Amazing people deserve to win amazing prizes. Congratulations and save us a game!

INFINITI's all-new 2.0-liter VC-Turbo (Variable Compression Turbo) gasoline engine is the world's first production-ready variable compression ratio engine. Shown for the first time at the 2016 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris, the four-cylinder VC-Turbo promises to be one of the most advanced internal combustion engines ever created. With the ability to continuously transform, INFINITI's VC-Turbo technology uses an advanced multi-link system to seamlessly raise or lower the stroke of the pistons, detecting the car's driving condition and driver inputs, and instantly selecting the most suitable compression ratio. The engine is able to offer any compression ratio between 8:1 (typical for high performance engines) and 14:1 (used by many manufacturers for high efficiency). The result is an engine that combines the power of a high-performance 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine with the torque and efficiency of an advanced diesel powertrain - without the equivalent emissions - offering a compelling alternative to similarly-powered four-cylinder diesel engines. The VC-Turbo engine will be comparable to certain six-cylinder gasoline powertrains for performance, while significantly outperforming them in efficiency. The four-cylinder VC-Turbo engine achieves lower levels of noise and vibration than conventional internal combustion engines, particularly diesel, and is lighter and more compact than V6 units with comparable power outputs. INFINITI's VC-Turbo technology marks a significant leap forward for the internal combustion engine, joining other renowned powertrain innovations such as liquid-cooling, fuel injection, catalytic convertors, and turbocharging. The arrival of the variable compression ratio engine will establish new benchmarks for power, efficiency and emissions. "Vehicle engineers believe that a breakthrough in internal combustion technology would come from mastering the variable compression ratio. INFINITI will be the first to bring this technology to the market in 2018. This new generation of powertrains will help our global growth and expansion of the INFINITI product portfolio." Roland Krueger, President of INFINITI