Infiniti to build 2.0-litre turbo-four engine in U.S.
Infiniti has officially announced it will assemble its newest 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in North America.
The Japanese automaker announced production of its new engine will kick off June 26 in Decherd, Tenn. As part of Renault-Nissan’s partnership with MercedesBenz, the plant will also manufacture the 2.0L turbo-four in the 2015 C-Class sedan before being shipped off to the C-Class’ Alabama plant.
“The opening of this new powertrain facility is an important step for Infiniti,” said Johan de Nysschen, president and CEO of Infiniti, in a news release. “It is the first step of our manufacturing expansion that will include the start of vehicle production in China later this year and Europe next year.”
Once production capacity at the plant is maxed out at 250,000 engines per year, Infiniti expects to create an additional 200 jobs. The 2.0-litre turbo-four isn’t offered in North Americanspec Q50s, but in European versions; it produces 211 horsepower and 236 poundfeet of torque.