Warmer temperatures invite us outdoors for activities that expose us to the sun’s warm but dangerous rays. Health specialists recommend using sunscreen to protect the skin from the risks of sunburn and skin cancer while enjoying the great outdoors; but not everyone understands how sunscreen works. To remedy these misconceptions, here is the truth about eight common sunscreen myths.

Sunscreen doesn’t expire
Although you might think sunscreen doesn’t have an expiration date, it actually does. According to Jon Johnson, contributor to Medical News Today, the active ingredients in sunscreen eventually break down and are no longer effective in protecting from the sun.

Some sunscreen bottles will list an expiration date so you know how long you have to use them. For the ones that don’t, it’s a safe bet to use the contents within three years from when you purchased the sunscreen, according to Mayo Clinic member Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.

One application is enough
Although some sunscreen packages might claim that the product lasts all day, that’s not actually the case. According to Dr. Cameron Rokhsar, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, this is just “hyped up marketing,” as he explained in a Today article. He recommended applying sunscreen every two to three hours, no matter what type of sunscreen you’re using or how long it says it lasts.

Some sunscreens are 100 percent waterproof
Once again, this is another claim that sunscreens can’t deliver on. Although some types of sunscreen might be more resistant to water than others, no sunscreen can be totally waterproof, as Johnson also explains. It’s important to apply sunscreen at least 10 to 15 minutes before going swimming or engaging in a water sport, as well as reapplying it afterward.

Drinkable SPFs are great substitutes for sunscreen lotion
There’s a new trend to protect yourself from the sun: ingesting products like Osmosis Harmonized H20 UV Neutralizer, instead of applying conventional sunscreen to your skin. Per Rokhsar, there’s no scientific support that backs the claims of oral SPF products, so it’s best to stick with sunscreen lotion for skin protection.

A dark complexion requires little or no sunscreen
While pale-skinned individuals are more prone to sunburn, those with darker skin are not immune to the dangers of UV rays. As Boer Deng, contributor with The Washington Post, notes, while melanin in the skin acts as a mild defense against skin damage, it only offers an SPF value of 1.5 to 2.0, which isn’t strong enough to shield your skin from UV rays.

Sunscreen is more effective than covering up
It turns out, covering your skin with clothing or accessories like hats is a better defense against sun damage than sunscreen lotion, as Johnson identifies. For even more protection against UV radiation, Rokhsar suggests donning SPF clothing, which is 100 percent effective.

SPF is the most important quality
It’s easy to think that SPF is the most vital factor to consider when you’re browsing sunscreens at the store. According to Maya Guhan with Berkeley Wellness, that’s not accurate. While SPF relates to the sunscreen’s protective capacity against UVB rays, you also have to consider its protection against UVA rays. Make sure that the sunscreen you decide to purchase has “broad spectrum” written on the label, to ensure that the lotion will properly shield you from both UVB and UVA rays.

Shelter is just as good as sunscreen
It’s tempting to think that if you’re under a beach umbrella, you’ll avoid getting sunburnt. However, sand accounts for 17 percent of UV radiation, so you can still experience some level of skin damage even if you’re under the umbrella rather than in direct sunlight, Guhan warns. She cites a JAMA Dermatology study from 2017, which indicates that 80 percent of people who sat under a beach umbrella for 3.5 hours without sunscreen experienced sunburn that manifested itself the next day.

Implement these helpful strategies to maximize the benefits of sunscreen and keep your skin healthy.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta in Union City, GA.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

With the temperature starting to increase, you may keep your vehicle’s windows open more often or have the a/c blowing. It’s time for a clean-up, to remove the dust, dirt and debris of a wet winter and prevent damage to your vehicle’s interior. Plus, a neat and orderly cabin just looks, and feels, better.

The easiest and most thorough way to a sparkling interior is to bring your vehicle into the dealership and let trained professionals with specialized tools and knowledge give it a thorough cleaning and detailing. If you want to start the job yourself, here are a few tips to make the job more manageable.

The first thing you’ll want to do is grab a garbage bag and clean out any trash. Whether it’s candy wrappers, bottles or fast food containers, chances are good you have an abundance of stuff that can be thrown out. Be sure to bring along a separate bag for recyclables. It’s also a good time to make sure you have your current registration, insurance and owner’s manuals. Working from front to back can be beneficial, and don’t forget about the trunk.

Next, wipe down all interior surfaces to remove dirt, dust and stains that have accumulated. The dashboard, armrests, door jambs, windows, handles, knobs and buttons should all be wiped with proper cleaning products recommended by our vehicle’s manufacturer. Don’t forget about hidden cup holders, map pockets, cubbies, glove boxes and any rear cargo storage areas. There are an abundance of helpful items out there to help make the job easier, and you can ask our dealership’s service department for recommendations.

Be conscious of USB and auxiliary ports, to avoid getting cleaners or water into them, and be sure to use soft cloth (never paper) and factory-recommended cleaners when wiping touch-screens and other displays, to avoid scratching or otherwise damaging them.

If you have leather seats, use a product that’s specially designed for leather. If not, use a product recommended for your cloth upholstery or use a damp cloth, making sure you avoid using large quantities of water so you don’t get the seat padding wet. Take any floor mats out of your vehicle, shake them and, if they are rubber, rinse them with a hose. You obviously want to use products that won’t harm your vehicle’s interior, so when in doubt, ask for help.

Once you’ve gotten rid of all of the surface debris, it’s time to vacuum. There are plenty of quality places to take your vehicle, or use your home or shop vacuum cleaner, which often has attachments for those hard-to-reach areas. Remember to get under, along-side and between seats, and the trunk or cargo area, too. Next, vacuum carpeted floor mats. If your carpet or carpeted mats have stains, ask your dealer to recommend a cleaner that won’t harm the carpet material.

Once you’ve finished, an exterior wash will leave your vehicle feeling good as new.

A clean car is a simple pleasure, and with the colder months ahead, it’s important to keep it that way. If you carry lots of stuff that is hard to keep organized and tidy, it may be time to look into the cargo management items available for your make and model at your dealership. There are usually plenty of choices made to the exact specifications of your vehicle.

With all of the high-tech equipment you have in your vehicle, it’s frequently the simple things that get overlooked. As always, if there’s anything you need to help keep your vehicle running its best, stop by today and let our factory-trained staff do the job as only they can.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta, in Union City, GA.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The 2019 INFINITI QX60 was named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Cars for the Money awards as the winner in the Luxury 3-Row SUV category.

The Best Cars for the Money methodology combines quality and value data into a composite score. Within each of the 14 categories, the vehicle with the highest score is named the Best Car for the Money in that category. Quality is measured by the overall score a vehicle achieved in the U.S. News car rankings at the time the awards are calculated. The rankings, updated regularly, compare cars on the basis of safety, reliability and a consensus of industry experts’ opinions. Value is measured by a combination of a vehicle’s five-year total cost of ownership, provided by Vincentric, LLC, and the average price paid for the vehicle at the time the awards are tabulated, as calculated by TrueCar.

The popular and highly awarded INFINITI QX60 offers the best of both luxury and practicality with a combination of family-oriented features as well as a welcoming, carefully crafted design inside and out. With a third row of seating, the spacious interior adjusts to customers’ needs.

Standard on all QX60 models is a breakthrough technology designed especially for active families – Rear Door Alert. The new Rear Door Alert system, first introduced on the 2018 QX60, can help remind customers of things that may be forgotten in the rear seat, such as pets, valuables, dry cleaning, groceries and more. Other available driver assist technologies include: Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection; Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention; Backup Collision Intervention; Blind Spot Intervention; and Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range). Also offered are the advanced Predictive Forward Collision Warning system and Forward Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection.

More information about the INFINITI QX60 is available at http://www.infinitiusa.com.

Click here to see our INFINITI QX60 inventory.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The temperatures are rising. The birds are singing. In other words, spring has sprung, and you’re probably busier than a bee spring cleaning every room inside your house and tending to your neglected, winter-beaten landscape and patio. In your dedication to your cleaning chores, don’t forget to add “spring clean the car” to your list. Just as your home has weathered the winter months, so has your car, and it, too, needs a lot of attention, inside and out.

Exterior
Road salt, grime and dirt can eat away at your vehicle’s pristine paint job as well as corrode the undercarriage. Flying debris – like rocks – that hit your car while driving can cause tiny nicks in the exterior, which can grow and cause rust to form. According to AutoTrader.com writer Doug DeMuro, washing your car and ridding it of winter’s footprint is essential.

A thorough washing does more than remove these contaminants to reveal a pretty finish; it protects your car from ongoing, costly and unsightly damage. Bust out the bucket, soap and water for a DIY wash, drive to your local automated car wash or patronize a car wash fundraiser; the method doesn’t really matter as long as your car comes out squeaky clean. “Once your car is dry, apply wax. A synthetic polymer-based wax will offer you longer-lasting protection,” advises Matthew C. Keegan, writer for NAPAonline.com.

While you are giving your car a spit shine, be sure use some elbow grease on the tires. “Because standard car wash cleaner will not get your tires sufficiently clean, use a dedicated tire and wheel cleaner,” advises Keegan. “Liberally apply the tire cleaner to the outer surface, then use a tire brush to vigorously scrub back and forth.”

Now is a good time to review the health of your car’s tires and wiper blades, too. Is the tread wearing unevenly? Are your tires inflated to the manufacturer-recommended psi?

DeMuro advises checking the blades for cracks and wear. Since wiper blades have a productive lifespan of approximately six months, Keegan recommends replacing your winter-weathered blades with new ones to take on the demands of spring and summer and again in the fall as part of your cold-weather car care prep.

Interior
You and your passengers probably tracked a lot of dirt, leaves, and in some places, salt, over the past few months onto your floor mats and the seats. Keegan says it’s time to fire up the vacuum to rid your interior of crumbs, dust, dirt and salt. He also recommends you apply a “foaming fabric and upholstery cleaner” to your cloth seats and to refer to your vehicle’s manual for instructions on how to clean and revitalize wood and leather materials.

Under the hood
Your car’s engine worked overtime getting you through winter and as a result is suffering from depleted resources. DeMuro recommends checking that your coolant is at its proper level as well as doing a review of your engine’s belts and hoses to make sure nothing is cracked, loose or broken. If you’re unsure what to look for, DeMuro advises taking it in for a service check, and while you’re at the shop, “ask for a quick suspension and alignment check.”

With these tips, your car will be ready to take on warmer temperatures and the demands of spring.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta in Union City, GA.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

When was the last time you actually got to enjoy a hearty breakfast in the morning? Are you the type who’s always running out of the house without having a chance to enjoy your morning meal? It’s understandable – mornings can be hectic enough, but add in cooking a meal and your head probably spins.

However, as the old adage goes: Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. So it’s important to make the time for it. However, when researchers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) surveyed Americans what they eat for breakfast, about 20 percent admitted to skipping the meal altogether.

Skimping on breakfast can make your head foggy all day and even make you crave sugary calories later on. But if you do make time for a healthy meal, you’re doing your body and mind good.

“You will be more productive all day long if you just invest a few minutes in eating a healthy breakfast,” says Joan Salge Blake, MS, RD, professor of health and rehabilitation sciences at Boston University.

But that doesn’t mean slurping down a big bowl of sugary cereal or throwing a few microwavable sausages in the microwave. There are ways to save time in the morning while still getting to enjoy a delicious breakfast that’s easy to make and good for you, too. Here are a few busy-morning favorites:

Overnight oatmeal – Think you don’t have time to make a batch of oatmeal for breakfast? Think again. The night before you plan to eat this nutritious breakfast, mix together 2/3 cup almond milk (or regular milk), 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup vanilla or plain Greek yogurt and a pinch of cinnamon. Refrigerate the mixture overnight and voila – it’s ready to enjoy in the morning! The oats soak in a milk and yogurt mixture, which softens them to a creamy texture by the morning. It’s an instant, cold oatmeal that tastes great and doesn’t waste a moment of your morning.

Pull-together yogurt – Not a minute to spare before heading to work? At the start of each week, purchase five containers of plain Greek yogurt (a good source of protein and calcium). Then, scoop one serving of your favorite low-fat, high-fiber cereal or granola into five plastic snack bags. Take a yogurt and one of your cereal packs to work each morning and combine the two to enjoy them at your desk. Another tip: Store a bottle of Agave Nectar in your desk drawer to drizzle on when you’re craving a sweeter breakfast.

Sweet smoothie – The ingredient combinations for breakfast smoothies are endless – and one of the tastiest, easiest ways to enjoy your breakfast. If you don’t have time to blend the smoothie in the morning, cut up all your ingredients and place them in the blender the night before. Then put the blender in the refrigerator overnight. If the recipe calls for ice, you can add it in the next morning and then blend until smooth. If there’s any left over, you can store it in an air-tight container.

An easy recipe to use: 1/2 cup of strawberries, 1/2 cup of banana slices, 6 ounces of skim milk, and 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter. Combine the ingredients at night and then blend it in before you leave and you’ve got yourself an easy, delicious and healthy breakfast to keep you full all morning.

Breakfast pudding – Chia seed pudding, that is. This recipe couldn’t be quicker or more nutritious. The night before, simply combine 1/4 cup chia seeds, 1 cup coconut milk and a 1/2 tablespoon honey in a small bowl, mason jar or other to-go container. In the morning, just take it out of the fridge and it’s ready to eat. If you have time, you can top the pudding with fresh fruit and nuts. With just 206 calories, this delicious breakfast pudding is hard to beat.

Fast ‘n easy eggs – No time to deal with cooking an egg on the stove? Beat two eggs in a microwave-safe container, and add a few of your favorite vegetables you prefer (tomatoes, spinach leaves, peppers, etc.), and if you’d like, sprinkle in a bit of cheese. Microwave the eggs for about 30 seconds, stir and then microwave for another 30 seconds. Then just place the lid on the container for a healthy to-go breakfast. You can also prep this the night before – just store the raw mixture in the refrigerator and simply heat it up in the morning.

Don’t skip breakfast and if you follow a few of these ideas, you’ll see that eating right in the morning is less complicated than you think.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta, in Union City, GA.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

South Fulton Lifestyle Magazine’s Publisher, Michelle Willis, interviews INFINITI of South Atlanta’s President, John Abate, for an episode of ‘According to Michelle.’

This episode features an exclusive look at how Mr. Abate got his start in the Automotive Industry and Michelle gets a taste of what it’s like to sell an INFINITI.

For other episodes and more information about Michelle Willis and her web series, visit ‘According to Michelle’.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

A piece of chocolate a day keeping the doctor away? It may not be as absurd as it sounds.

Who can imagine Valentine’s Day without chocolate? We certainly can’t! But for most, chocolate is thought to be the kind of indulgence that can quickly derail a New Year’s diet resolution. It may come as something of a surprise then, to learn that there are actually a number of health benefits to eating chocolate!

Before you go grab a whole handful of chocolate candies this Valentine’s Day, it is important to understand the caveats. If you eat chocolate with reckless abandon, you will gain unwanted weight. Commercial chocolate products are high in added fat and refined sugar, which adds up to unnecessary calories. Eating chocolate to excess puts you at risk not only for weight gain, but also for high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. As such, you should always eat chocolate in moderation; using a calorie-counting app to monitor your intake will help prevent adding on extra pounds.

It is also important to note that all chocolate is NOT created equal. Of all varieties of chocolate, dark chocolate, cacao and cocoa are considered by several experts to have the most beneficial qualities. According to Scientific American, a 2012 review of 20 different studies found that daily, moderated consumption of dark chocolate or cocoa resulted in an average drop of two to three points in blood pressure readings over a period of time.

To be sure that you are getting the proper benefits, Mary Engler, Ph.D., a professor of physiological nursing at the University of California at San Francisco, recommends to Women’s Health that, in a day, you eat no more than seven ounces of chocolate that consists of no less than 70 percent cacao or cocoa.

Just what are those benefits, though?

Antioxidants
According to WebMD, if a chocolate product contains a sizable amount of nonfat cocoa solids, then it tends to have a high level of antioxidants. Dark chocolate in particular contains a great deal of antioxidants, which help rid your body of cell-damaging free radicals. Steady consumption of antioxidant-rich foods is associated with a lowered risk of cancer and a slowing of the aging process.

Reduced heart attack risk
The presence of flavanols in cocoa not only introduces antioxidants into the body, but the flavanols are also the ingredient best associated with lowered blood pressure and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. According to Diane Becker, M.P.H., Sc.D., a researcher at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, daily consumption of flavanol-rich dark chocolate can reduce the risk of heart attack by up to 50 percent due to its connection with slowing clotting in blood vessels.

Weight loss
Of course, over-consuming chocolate will lead to gaining unnecessary weight, but according to the University of Copenhagen, tempered chocolate intake can actually help you shed pounds. The research also showed that eating a small amount of dark chocolate on a daily basis helps curb your appetite for other sweets and fatty foods. By indulging your sweet tooth within reason, you will better overcome the mental hurdle that comes with cutting junk foods out of your diet.

Rich in essential vitamins and minerals
Another added benefit of dark chocolate in particular is its high potassium, copper, magnesium and iron content. These vitamins and minerals are key components to ensuring your health: copper and potassium are useful in lowering your risk of stroke and heart disease; iron helps prevent anemia; and magnesium fights high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Again, it should be noted that chocolate will only prove beneficial for your health if you consume it in an appropriate fashion. But this Valentine’s Day, if you are able to regulate your intake and limit it only to the purest chocolates possible, then you may find yourself benefitting in a number of surprising ways.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta in Union City, Georgia.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Small things that will help you get the most out of your vehicle.

A little bit of attention to these seemingly minor tasks will save you money, enhance your safety and that of your passengers, and help ensure a long and satisfying ownership experience with your vehicle. Whether you service your vehicle yourself or enjoy the convenience of using our dealer’s factory-trained personnel, use this list to help you get started:

Read Your Owner’s Manual
Every vehicle has its own service schedule and individual nuances. All of those things and many more are covered in your owner’s manual. It’s important to know what all the lights mean, how the dials and buttons work, and how and when to take care of your vehicle and all its parts. Some people read their owner’s manuals from cover to cover as soon as they get a new vehicle while others pick and choose the chapters of greatest interest; whichever type of driver you are, be sure to ask one of our factory-trained technician if you ever have any questions.

Get Your Tires Rotated and Balanced, and Ask About a Wheel Alignment
Your vehicle is only as good as the rubber it’s riding on – even a supercar won’t get very far with a flat tire. Your tires don’t always wear evenly when you drive, even when your wheels are properly aligned, so getting your tires rotated and balanced is important to extend their life. Check your owner’s manual or ask your service technician how often it should be done on your particular vehicle. Making sure your tires/wheels are balanced is important as well, to ensure proper weight distribution and a comfortable ride. An alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels to factory specifications. After a long winter of potholes and rough driving, it’s important to be sure both your front and rear wheels are still in alignment. We often offer seasonal alignment specials, so watch for coupons on our website!

Check your Belts
Some of your vehicle’s moving parts may rely on belts to keep them going. If you hear any squeaking or high-pitched squealing when you start your vehicle, that might be a sign that it’s time to have your belts checked. Waiting too long can result in a broken belt and possibly wider damage. A serpentine belt, for example, normally drives things like the power steering, alternator and other items, so if it malfunctions, you’re going to have bigger problems. When you have your oil changed, check your belts for obvious cracks, chips or signs of dry rot, and have them replaced at the recommended intervals, even if they look ok.

Clean Your Headlamps
It may sound obvious, but even a thin coating of dust, mud, snow or salt film can severely impact your visibility, especially in poor weather. The durable polycarbonate plastic from which many headlamps are made can also become excessively chipped, scratched or cloudy over time, from both the elements and long-term UV exposure, and this can also reduce the amount of light you get from your headlamps. Keep them clean and inspect them regularly. If you notice a problem, ask our service department for suggestions to correct the issue; they may also recommend something you can treat the plastic with to help protect it and extend its life.

Replace Your Filters
Many of today’s vehicles have monitors that prompt you when it’s time to change your oil, but there aren’t filter replacement reminders and items like filters don’t always come to mind, especially if you change your oil yourself. Failure to replace filters–such as fuel, air and oil filters–can cause damage, reduce fuel economy and increase emissions. The same goes for the cabin air filter that helps remove pollutants, allergens and noxious fumes from the air being drawn into your vehicle. Best of all, filters are normally not expensive to replace–in vehicles with complimentary factory maintenance, some filters may even be replaced for free–so be sure to have them checked regularly and replaced when needed.

With so many things already on your mind, getting your car serviced can be overlooked. Fortunately, there is some impressive technology out there that can help you ensure the work gets done. If you have a smartphone, there are some excellent apps available, ranging from basic to intricate, to help guide you. Road Trip, an app available for iPhones/iPads, tracks your maintenance schedule, fuel economy and other expenses. For android users, Car Maintenance Reminder is similar and can send reminders when a service due date approaches. Other apps include aCar and AutoCare, or you can search your favorite app store to find the right one for you. Many automobile manufacturers also offer automated service reminders via email and/or smartphone app.

Our Service Department is always the best resource for any automotive issue you have, so stop in and talk with factory-trained personnel about your vehicle questions and service needs.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta in Union City, Georgia.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The INFINITI QX Inspiration is a midsize SUV concept previewing the brand’s first fully electric vehicle. As a company with technological and powertrain innovation at its core, electrification is a natural next step for INFINITI. This design study previews the brand’s plan to launch a range of high-performance electrified vehicles that promise an engaging drive and deliver range confidence. The INFINITI lineup of the future will consist of a range of electric, e-POWER and performance hybrid vehicles.

The QX Inspiration concept signals a new era for INFINITI design enabled by technology, with a form language hinting at the potency and character of electrified powertrains. The new concept sets a direct precedent for the company’s first fully electric production car, illustrating how new architectures and technologies are influencing modern INFINITI design. It also draws on the Japanese spatial concept of ‘Ma,’ demonstrating how open spaces between lines create tension and build anticipation.

This Japanese DNA continues into the cabin. The interior of QX Inspiration is hand-crafted using traditional techniques and a choice of materials inspired by a subtle Japanese sensuality. The development of new electrified vehicle platforms enables the creation of spacious, lounge-like interiors influenced by omotenashi, the Japanese approach to hospitality. The cabin incorporates technologies to create a welcoming environment while assisting drivers and connecting occupants to the world around them.

Electrification
Previewing INFINITI’s first fully electric vehicle

“The INFINITI QX Inspiration marks the beginning of a new generation of INFINITI cars and establishes a direct blueprint for the brand’s first electric vehicle. Based on a new, dedicated electric vehicle architecture and inspired by INFINITI’s Japanese DNA, the SUV concept previews a product portfolio which will offer high performance, ultra-low emissions and range confidence.”

Christian Meunier, President and Chairman, INFINITI Motor Company Ltd.

Electrification: a natural next step for INFINITI

• QX Inspiration concept sets a direct precedent for the first fully electric INFINITI model
• Future INFINITI models will offer buyers a mix of fully electric, e-POWER and performance hybrid powertrains

The QX Inspiration concept sets a direct precedent for the brand’s first fully electric car: a high-performance SUV offering range confidence. Electrification is a natural next step for the company, and, as a member of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the industry leader in low- and zero-emission vehicles, a range of ultra-low emissions technology is available to INFINITI.

INFINITI’s future models will offer drivers a mixture of fully electric, e-POWER and performance hybrid vehicles. These powertrains will be matched with dedicated platforms and vehicle architectures, delivering the high performance, range confidence and low environmental impact that buyers are coming to expect from luxury car manufacturers.

“For INFINITI, our powertrain electrification strategy focuses on offering both high performance and range confidence. As the luxury brand within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, INFINITI can draw on a wide range of ultra-low emissions powertrain technologies to deliver driving pleasure and thrilling performance. We have previously explored this with the Prototype 9 and Prototype 10, and QX Inspiration shows how this philosophy will manifest itself in production: as a powerful electric SUV with a versatile character and luxurious interior.”

François Bancon, Vice President, INFINITI

High performance electrified all-wheel drive powertrain

• High-performance and range confidence from INFINITI’s future electrified vehicles
• QX Inspiration concept hints at the potential for an SUV with a powerful e-AWD system

With the planned electrification of INFINITI’s future product portfolio, the QX Inspiration concept signals the brand’s intention to produce a fully electric midsize SUV, based on an all-new vehicle platform, which could accommodate a powerful electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD) system. The concept’s SUV packaging means the high-capacity battery pack can be located below the vehicle floor, feeding power to a pair of electric motors (one on each axle).

Future INFINITI products promise a power delivery which is instantaneous, with the e-AWD system enabling blistering off-the-line acceleration. Power is distributed intelligently between all four wheels, and the battery’s location ensures a low center of gravity, meaning the QX Inspiration concept inspires confidence in all situations – from high-speed corners to long-distance cruises – and weather conditions.

“Global demand for SUVs continues to grow, as does the number of drivers eager to make the shift to an electrified powertrain. QX Inspiration meets at the intersection of these trends and sets a direct precedent for the launch of a powerful all-electric SUV. INFINITI is a brand built on the idea of technological innovation, and the electrification of our product line-up is a natural next step for us. The QX Inspiration concept signals the direction we plan to take.”

Christian Meunier, President and Chairman, INFINITI Motor Company Ltd.

Exterior design
New form language for electrification, based on the principles of modern Japanese design and architecture

“The decision to electrify the INFINITI range was an inflection point for our brand. We started to understand the potential of new architectures and technologies and how they could influence a change in how we design our cars.”

Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President for Global Design, Nissan Motor Co.

INFINITI’s new form language

• Electrified powertrain technology enables evolution of INFINITI form language
• New aesthetic defined by straight lines, clean surfaces and concise graphics, taking hints from Q Inspiration sedan concept and Prototypes 9 and 10

The QX Inspiration concept signals a new era for INFINITI design, influenced by new powertrain technologies and architectures. The form language of the new concept car hints at the potency and character of the brand’s future electrified powertrains.

A reference point for the new SUV concept was the Q Inspiration sedan concept, which signaled INFINITI’s first steps towards establishing a new design language characterized by straight lines, precise forms for functional elements and clean surfaces. More technical in its design than any prior INFINITI, the Q Inspiration sedan combined simplicity with muscularity, inspired by modern powertrain technologies. Now, the QX Inspiration concept takes this further, echoing the sedan concept’s muscular form language while adopting certain details first featured on the Prototype 9 and Prototype 10 design studies.

The QX Inspiration’s form language is characterized by straight lines and sudden creases, finely balanced, smooth surfaces and organic shapes. This contrast gives the QX Inspiration concept a new tonality compared to earlier INFINITI designs, it is muscular, yet composed and less overtly aggressive, yet bold in its details.

“QX Inspiration is the beginning of a new era for INFINITI, and an illustration of where we want to go with the brand. New technology has given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy – and this new vehicle communicates the serene strength at our core.”

Karim Habib, Executive Design Director, INFINITI

Electrified by design

• Proportions of concept hint at the car’s electrified powertrain
• Balanced silhouette with a cab-forward stance and aerodynamic lines

“The INFINITI design aesthetic has always been linked to the powertrain. Where a V8 engine might move the interior rearward, electrification has allowed us to the move the interior forward and provides for a balanced profile. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t express a new kind of performance. The power of the electric engine is expressed through the robustness and fullness of the body.”

Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President for Global Design, Nissan Motor Co.

The design of the QX Inspiration concept, from its dimensions to its details, hint at the potency and character of INFINITI’s future electrified powertrains.

INFINITI’s earlier SUVs, such as the iconic 2003 FX, have been characterized by their long hoods – a nod to their powerful V8 and V6 internal combustion engines – and a cab-rearward silhouette. The QX Inspiration concept proposes its own uncompromisingly modern silhouette, inspired by its fully electric powertrain. Without the need for a large engine, INFINITI’s designers adapted the proportions to accommodate a more balanced overall shape, a cab-forward design with short front and rear overhangs (855 mm and 945 mm, respectively) and a shorter hood. The concept’s overall length is 4,650 mm.

Locating the powertrain low down in the body and between the axles (2,850 mm apart) enabled INFINITI’s designers to create a bold and powerful lower body, blending its smooth, expansive surfaces with fascinating new proportions. The sleek, long roofline peaks at 1,630 mm in height, at a point directly above the front row of seats, then flows downwards into the car’s aerodynamically efficient Kammback rear.

Without the need for a large front grille to cool an engine, the QX Inspiration concept nonetheless retains shapes that define what would have been an air intake. The smooth surfaces replacing the grille feature an illuminated INFINITI logo, book-ended by channels that divert air over and around the body. A closer look at the thin headlamp strips reveal laser-like etchings, with a highly technical pattern echoed throughout the interior and exterior. The pattern is also featured in the wing-shaped light strip that spreads across the tailgate, adding a clean trailing edge to the rear of the car. Housed within wheelarches clad in contrasting black protective material are 22-inch wheels that feature a similar louvered pattern and an aerodynamic design to divert air along the flanks of the car.

Sitting in the sharply angled D-pillar is a vermilion signature line emboldened with a gold highlight. Surrounding it is a stylish quarterlight, which enhances the cab-forward profile.

Japanese DNA: designers inspired by Japanese design and architecture

• Exterior design inspired by the Japanese spatial concept of Ma – a focus on the open spaces between lines
• Body surfaces and creases influenced by origami, with design details drawing on elements of Japanese art and architecture

“We considered where we have been in our 30-year life, and where we want to go. We contemplated what it means to be Japanese, and how that resonates for INFINITI. One idea struck a chord with all of us – the concept of Ma, or the mastery of the empty space, which can be full of meaning and potential. Imagine someone clapping, the empty sound between claps is full of anticipation. In this way, the electrification of INFINITI will bring a new simplicity and excitement to the brand.”

Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President for Global Design, Nissan Motor Co.

“With the QX Inspiration concept, we were inspired by the Japanese concept of Ma, a focus on the lines and the empty space in between. What is happening in that space between the lines – the free, natural flow of surfaces – is truly expressive. It’s the empty space between the edges that often carries the loudest message.”

Karim Habib, Executive Design Director, INFINITI

Perhaps more so than any other INFINITI created during the company’s 30-year existence, the QX Inspiration concept explores and actively draws upon the company’s Japanese roots.

Underpinning the aesthetic of the exterior is the Japanese spatial concept of Ma – the mastery of empty space. For INFINITI’s designers, this meant adopting an approach which focused on the open space between the concept’s lines. They were drawn to the character of paper and the Japanese art of paperfolding, origami. Infused with Japanese DNA, the elegant exterior of the QX Inspiration is derived from the artistic coaxing, folding and slicing of paper into different shapes.

The QX Inspiration concept’s sharp lines and modern aesthetics are enhanced by a series of high-precision details, formed of a pattern repeated throughout the exterior and interior. The pattern is made up of thin lines and arranged into near-perpendicular forms, a modern interpretation of the historic architectural design of Japanese timber louvers used in construction. Traditional by nature, yet increasingly adopted in contemporary Japanese architecture, the louver-inspired lines appear in the front and rear lamps and on the surface of the 22-inch alloy wheels. Furthermore, the roof of the QX Inspiration is formed of louvered slats made of Japanese red cedar (or sugi), giving occupants a stunning view of the sky above and lending a sense of Japanese architectural modernity to the exterior.

Further reference to the vehicle’s Japanese DNA can be found in the three colors used across the exterior. The QX Inspiration concept is finished in Liquid White pearlescent paint, inspired by the winter snows of Mount Fuji. In addition, highlights on the D-pillar and wheels are finished with two new signature color treatments, gold and vermilion – inspired by Japanese urushi lacquerware and gold kintsugi ceramic work.

A soft, warm shade of red, vermilion was widely used in traditional Japanese lacquerware. If lacquered ceramics were broken, they were often reformed with the kintsugi technique: that of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered silver, gold or platinum. Together, vermilion and gold were often used in painted Japanese artwork to express the power and energy of the sun.

Interior design

New electric-vehicle platforms enable spacious, lounge-like interiors, rich in welcoming and assistive technology

New electric vehicle platform enables new lounge-like interior

• QX Inspiration concept features abundance of cabin space and a flat floor for greater flexibility
• Cabin designed like a lounge, with luxurious, unconventional materials and relaxing space for four

The interior of the QX Inspiration concept shows the potential for new electric vehicle platforms. Powered by a battery pack stored beneath the floor, with electric motors on each axle, there is no intrusion from driveshafts or transmission tunnels. The result is a spacious, lounge-like space, with flat floors and greater room for occupants and luggage.

The spaciousness enables the vehicle’s human-centered ergonomics and creates a welcoming, open atmosphere that invites occupants to relax in comfort. The cabin has a level of architectural modernity to it, with a highly structural layout that diverges from conventional automobile design. Like the exterior, the interior of the QX Inspiration concept draws upon INFINITI’s devotion to the Japanese spatial concept of Ma, which has meant a close consideration of the surfaces and open spaces as much the layout and design of seats, dashboard and driver controls.

Dominating the dashboard is a wide-screen monitor flowing from pillar to pillar, finished in polarized gold-tinted glass. The rectangular steering wheel, trimmed in soft brown and white leather, also features its own monitor. In place of a transmission tunnel, graceful arches, trimmed in brown leather, rise out of the floor beneath the dashboard, flowing into a Bianco Carrara marble center console which extends to the rear seats.

The instrument panel is trimmed in a luxurious grey cloth normally used to upholster furniture and finished with INFINITI’s patented dot-quilting effect. Inspired by classic buttoned leather sofas, dot quilting produces a more informal interpretation of the diamond lozenge shape that gives classic Chesterfield lounge chairs their distinctive appearance. The idiosyncratic cloth extends from the front of the cabin and transitions into relaxing sofa-style rear seating area, generously proportioned for two passengers.

As seen from the outside, the headlining of the vehicle is replaced by a unique timber louver structure, inspired by Japanese architecture. Creating pleasant indirect lighting for occupants, the sugi cedar structure casts beautiful shadows throughout the cabin as the car moves. As the individual slats twist outwards, the wood gives way to white exterior painted surfaces.

The most open surface of all, the flat floor receives its own unique treatment. Upholstered in white suede panels in a variety of rhomboid shapes, it features kintsugi gold inlays, adding an additional element of lounge design to the cabin.

“We have taken advantage of the EV architecture to develop a lounge-like interior, enabled by the flat floor and the empty space below the dashboard and center console. So really, we’re not just designing the objects inside the car, we’re designing the empty space between objects. We’re trying to use that space to accentuate the design – you let the empty space talk as much, if not even more, than the forms and objects that are there.”

Karim Habib, Executive Design Director, INFINITI

Technology that enables

• QX Inspiration’s cabin fuses technology with a warm, minimalist design and typical Japanese hospitality, creating a seamlessly enabling, instinctive experience
• Pillar-to-pillar widescreen displays information to driver and front passenger – a signature feature destined for future INFINITI models

“There’s a very natural coalescence of technology and hospitality in Japan, and this is something very appropriate for INFINITI. We want the technology in our vehicles to create an experience that seamlessly enables and enhances the drive, while also making life comfortable and natural. That’s what inspires us, and we worked with those principles when designing QX Inspiration.”

Karim Habib, Executive Design Director, INFINITI

The QX Inspiration concept uses technologies to create a welcoming environment – one that assists drivers and connects occupants. INFINITI’s designers were influenced by the natural coalescence of technology, hospitality and warm minimalism that is unique to Japan. They focused on developing a vehicle which seamlessly and intuitively enables occupants, both through the application of its technologies and by creating a comfortable, relaxing and natural atmosphere.

Following the principle of omotenashi, the notion of Japanese hospitality, the interior draws occupants in from the moment the doors open. Illuminations in the base of the coach doors cast a subtle light over the ground, echoing the same thin line pattern found throughout the car, rolling out an inviting ‘carpet’ of light. The front seats rotate 30 degrees outwards, making for easier ingress and egress.

Where the electric vehicle architecture is a macro-enabler for the overall structure and design, the pillar-to-pillar widescreen serves as a micro-enabler for the minimalist interior. A signature theme that will eventually be reflected in future INFINITI vehicles, the widescreen system has facilitated a dramatic reduction in the number of buttons in the interior and a clearer dashboard-wide display of information for driver and front passenger. The customizable screens enable the front passenger to see and control a range of functions, from infotainment to cabin lighting, as well as heating and ventilation.

The proliferation of displays, including the center of the widescreen rectangular steering wheel, gives the driver easy access to important information. There are digital displays linked to the rear-facing door-mounted cameras, to navigation and traffic systems and vehicle diagnostics.

The center console transitions subtly from Bianco Carrara marble into a display surface at the base of the dashboard, creating a harmonic contrast between function and material form.

INFINITI has harnessed its driver assist technologies to further enhance the lounge-like atmosphere of the cabin. The steering wheel, pedals and driver displays maintain the all-important connection to driving, a feature which will remain common to all INFINITI vehicles for the foreseeable future. Yet, hinting at the full range of driver assist technologies that may one day be available, the steering wheel collapses into the dashboard and the pedals retract into the floor, releasing even more space should the driver wish to hand control over to the vehicle.

By contrast, the rear of the cabin is devoid of all technology, except for the QX Inspiration’s lighting, a deliberate move by INFINITI’s designers to create a relaxing, screen-free space.

“For the interior we followed the principle of omotenashi, or Japanese hospitality. It’s a concept that we discussed a great deal during development of the INFINITI QX Inspiration. Technology is a window into broader horizons, and we want that window to be inviting, welcoming, enticing – staying true to our Japanese roots.”

Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President for Global Design, Nissan Motor Co.

Staying true to INFINITI’s Japanese roots

• Handcrafted interior inspired by a subtle Japanese sensuality
• Draws on a uniquely Japanese appreciation of nature and technology

The artistic, hand-crafted interior and the choice of materials used in the QX Inspiration concept are inspired by a subtle Japanese sensuality. With technology central to its appeal as a lounge-like space, the careful selection of natural materials and soft colors found in the cabin has its roots in a uniquely Japanese appreciation of nature and craftsmanship.

The Bianco Carrara marble center console is a defining feature. While the material itself is European, the stone texture is reminiscent of Japanese artistic sensibilities, fusing technology in the front of the cabin with a more natural, authentic appearance. At the end of the marble table, between the two rear seats, sits a branch of ume no hana plum blossom. This blossom is associated in Japan with the notion of omotenashi hospitality and welcoming guests into the home. It is typically the first to flower in the spring, as the temperature warms up after winter.

This appreciation of spring is echoed further in the choice of colors that define the cabin’s soft ambient lighting and graphic displays. Flooding the cabin in a calming glow, the lighting takes on one of four colors: wakanae (a soft green, like new spring grass), torinoko (a pale yellow, and the same shade as a hen’s egg), akebono (the subtle pinks and reds of a breaking dawn) and shirafuji (the soft purple of Japanese wisteria blossom). The subdued tones of the graphic displays and lighting perfectly complement the soft greys, browns and whites of the interior’s upholstery.

The roof, finished in sugi, Japanese red cedar wood, further ties the cabin of the QX Inspiration concept to its natural roots. Adhering to the Japanese world-view of wabi-sabi, that of accepting imperfections, INFINITI’s designers have left the knot and grain of the wood on display, expressing the strength and life of the raw material. Traditional in its design origins, the roof is distinctly modern in its structure and appearance. Beneath, the white suede floor adopts kintsugigold inlay between panels, further instilling the vehicle with a degree of Japanese sensuality and craft tradition.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Fitness experts far and wide sing the praises of meal prep as a means to support good life habits and reach new fitness goals. If one of your resolutions for 2019 is to lose weight or get healthier, preparing your meals a week at a time is a great vessel to get to whatever your goals may be. If you are not convinced, or if you need a bit more incentive to get started, here are a few points to consider.

Saves time
Preparing a week’s worth of meals in a single evening has the inherent benefit of saving time that you would otherwise spend getting together meals on a nightly basis. Bodybuilding.com recommends meal-prepping on Sundays as you wind down the weekend and prepare for the start of another week; doing this ensures that your prep time will not butt up against work obligations, and it minimizes the likelihood of it interfering with weekend plans. Prepping on Sunday also ensures that whatever you prepare will still be good to eat by the time Friday rolls around. What’s more, it is entirely plausible to prepare multiple styles of meals in one session. As DailyBurn.com points out, you can create dividers on a cooking sheet with aluminum foil to cook foods with different flavor profiles – for example, use it to cook a few portions of barbecue chicken, a few portions of garlic pepper chicken and a few portions of hot buffalo chicken.

Saves money
The ability of meal prepping to save you money is two-fold: planning your meals ahead and having them ready to roll helps reduce the possibility of getting to the office without a lunch, meaning you will not spend money eating out. Additionally, Shape.com points out that meal-planning enables you to reduce the potential for wasted food by giving you a better sense of portion and getting you used to the idea of only cooking what you need. What’s more, preparing your meals ahead of time and having a schedule allows you to better budget grocery expenses.

Saves calories
The biggest advantage to meal prepping is the manner in which it facilitates your fitness goals, whether it be losing weight or putting on muscle. Bodybuilding.com notes that meal prep allows for complete control of your macronutritional intake, allowing you to better track your fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Doing so will allow you to monitor the effectiveness of dietary changes more accurately, and it will provide better insight into what works for your needs. If you are looking to lose weight but find that the pounds are not coming off as quickly as you would prefer, you can gear your meal-prep toward more lean proteins and fewer carbohydrates. If you are looking to put on muscle, you can use your meal prep to experiment with a formula to help you break past plateaus.

Ultimately, there is no good reason not to start meal-prepping today. It is easy to do and easy to follow, and you will reap the benefits of preparing your food in advance sooner than you might think.

This article is presented by INFINITI of South Atlanta in Union City, GA.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »