Infiniti Touts High-Strength Steel in 2019 QX50 Crossover

Nissan Motor Co.’s next-generation 2019 Infiniti QX50 midsize crossover will include the use of a 980 MPa high-tensile steel, which the carmaker says allows for greater design flexibility, saves weight, increases body stiffness and improves driving performance.

The SHF 980 MPa steel is used around the crash zones at the front and rear of the QX50 to bolster impact performance. The material also is used as weight-bearing sections around the engine bay, B-pillar and other structural components.

Infiniti says the high-tensile steel can be molded into complex shapes, saving weight and boosting torsional rigidity 23% over the current QX50. This helps the vehicle resist flex and vibrations to optimize braking, steering and suspension performance, while reducing noise transmitted to the cabin.