http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/ Autoblog Comments for Ghosn dismisses GT-R sedan, Q45 successor likely http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/
Bu-urns]]>Mar 6th 2008 12:12PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.GoodCarBadCar.net) and the Q is absent from the party.... Carlos better get things movin'. ]]>Mar 6th 2008 12:21PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/
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.]]>Mar 6th 2008 12:33PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/
Here's the link to the Japanese language website for the President
http://www.nissan.co.jp/PRESIDENT/]]>Mar 6th 2008 12:53PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/
http://www2.nissan.co.jp/CIMA/F50/0802/index.html]]>Mar 6th 2008 1:39PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/Mar 6th 2008 1:17PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/
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.]]>Mar 6th 2008 3:12PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/
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.]]>Mar 6th 2008 4:26PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/Mar 7th 2008 3:11AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/06/ghosn-dismisses-gt-r-sedan-q45-successor-likely/Mar 10th 2008 9:05AM