Ghosn dismisses GT-R sedan, Q45 successor likely
Ghosn recently told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show that the idea of a four-door super sports sedan based on the Nissan GT-R is "online blog speculation". Uh, you talking to me? Of course it's speculation, but we're from America and if two doors is good then four must certainly be better, right? Actually, no, we're fine with the GT-R fulfilling its purpose as a personal road rocket with room for two. And no blog started the four-door GT-R rumor, that would be Motor Trend, which, on authority from a "senior Nissan source", went so far as to commission renderings of the imaginary model, as well. Infiniti will likely, however, field a successor to the discontinued Q45 that's more suited to take on its German competition, a charge that's all the more relevant considering Infiniti's impending penetration into the Western European market. Such a flagship model would likely be powered by the new 390-horsepower 5.0L V8 that debuted in the also-new FX50 in Geneva. Hopefully the next Q will be more competitive than the model that no one noticed disappear from the market two years ago, but don't expect a four-door GT-R. It doesn't sound like Ghosn wants one at the moment and the brand is more in need of a new top model to replace the M35/45 that's hardly suited for the job.
[Source: Motor Trend]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kiff 12:12PM (3/06/2008)
Sorry this is off-topic Autoblog... but where's podcast #89!!! I'm dyin' here!
Bu-urns
Reply
kristian 12:21PM (3/06/2008)
it's sad right now that what was Infiniti's most famous letter is absent from showrooms, except for the gargantuan QX56. Worse still that many of us were left wondering, "Is it dead? Nah, I saw one on the dealer lot the other day. No, it's out of production isn't it?" Considering it is Infiniti Day at GCBC (http://www.GoodCarBadCar.net) and the Q is absent from the party.... Carlos better get things movin'.
Reply
Michael D. 12:33PM (3/06/2008)
I've been hoping for a "Q-ship" successor, and I know Nissan/Infiniti has the goods to make it happen. With Acura focusing in Tier-1 with a more upmarket, RWD V8 powered RL successor, and the legendary Lexus LS a serious player, and of course, the famous European players who's names I need not mention, a radical next-generation Jaguar XJ in development, and a Zeta-based RWD Cadillac DTS/STS successor afoot, it's time for Infiniti to jump in the game and dominate, too. By the looks of Infiniti's latest offerings, this will indicate the next Q will be one to stand out!
The well admired and respected M35/45 is a beautiful machine, but not up to the task of a flagship; it runs more with the mid-range luxury such as Lexus GS, MB E-Class, BMW 5-series adn Jaguar XF.
Reply
Eric 1:17PM (3/06/2008)
This is fine with me. Priority #1 for Nissan should be putting all their efforts into making enough GT-R's so people can actually get their hands on them at MSRP. I don't have a dealer withing 300 miles not selling these at $90k.
Reply
Not Detroit 12:53PM (3/06/2008)
The Q isn't dead; the Nissan President, from which the Q is based, is still in production for the Japanese market only. The Infiniti version of the President is not exported to the USA, where Infiniti was only sold until recently in Europe.
Here's the link to the Japanese language website for the President
http://www.nissan.co.jp/PRESIDENT/
Reply
stefan 1:39PM (3/06/2008)
The cima is also still in production, it even got a facelift this month.
http://www2.nissan.co.jp/CIMA/F50/0802/index.html
alienonmar 9:05AM (3/10/2008)
Who care about Q45 anyway? Me I want a 4 doors 550 HP Skyline all aluminum and that would be an Awesome for Infiniti brand.
Reply
mk 3:12PM (3/06/2008)
Infiniti has been making some really compelling products lately, aside from maybe the new FX face.
But a new Q is a good idea. I would do this:
Don't take the Q into the teeth of the S-class, or the Lexus LS. Those buyers tend to be very status conscious, and badge loyal, and an Infiniti, almost no matter how good, will unseat the three-point star, or the circle-L in the minds of their target audience.
Instead, I would find a nice slot in with Audi A8, BMW 7-series, and maybe a tad under the Maserati Quattroporte.
But speaking of Quattroporte, It has an aft transaxle. GT-R has a rear transaxle, too.
A Q should not be a blood-thirsty GT-R sedan masquerading as a luxury sedan, but it could still use some of the tech, and be better for it.
4.5 V8 with VVEL technology, and tuned for 350-400hp, and good torque.
Aft dual-clutch transaxle, with default automatic mode, paddle-shift manual mode on-demand.
Attessa AWD, with a bit more stability-oriented program, rather than blistering performance tune of the GT-R.
And make the interior very special for both driver and passengers, and the exterior dignified and sleek. G35 looks great, M45 looks even better, Q should look bloody fantastic for a full-lux sedan. Infiniti can do that.
That sounds like a good mix, to me, in the 65-90k pricerange somewhere, just under it's direct competition, just as G35 undercuts 3-series, and M35/45 undercuts 5-series. Q can go after the 7-series and the Maserati, and be more of a modern looking sport-luxury saloon than the XJ/SuperV8.
Reply
Playdrv4me 4:26PM (3/06/2008)
65-90 is shooting a bit high for the Q... They barely sold those lumps at 55, much less 65.
Nissan also needs to get that nasty little oil consumption issue out of the way before it tries to put out a 390hp anything. Many corners were cut on the VQ45 in the Cima to get 345 horses out of an engine with displacement on par with competitors making only 250-300 at its debut. This led to premature failures relating to heavy oil consumption.
I agree that the Q-ship needs to come back, but it better be fully ready for prime-time, not be priced ridiculously, and not look like a hardboiled egg for starters.
The first generation Q45 was far ahead of its time in 1990 and to this day remains the finest, fastest and most sought-after of ALL the U.S. generations (and the only one that was a Q45 from the blueprints forward, not a rebadged Nissan). I hope another one will come along to continue that legacy... and I hope that Nissan won't drop the ball on MARKETING like they did with the first one.
Reply
RLQ 3:11AM (3/07/2008)
Nice to see the Q making a come back.
Reply