Autoblog

Infiniti boss De Nysschen confirms next-gen Q60 Coupe, ponders high-performance variants

Chris Paukert — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Infiniti

We've known since mid-December that Infiniti's new global model naming convention would turn the current-generation G37 Coupe into the Q60 Coupe starting next year, but we haven't been clear on whether the model-range-formerly-known-as-G would get a successor, especially as its volume has traditionally been a lot lower than its sedan counterpart.

Thankfully, Infiniti president Johann De Nysschen (above) has stepped up to confirm that the newly revealed Q50 sedan will receive a two-door counterpart, though perhaps not as quickly as some would like. According to an interview with Australia's CarAdvice.com, De Nysschen says "the coupe we can probably expect two-and-a-half to three years down the road." That news also suggests that if there's an eventual convertible version, that it's a long way off, too. Why so long? Infiniti has "a lot of priorities" - priorities that undoubtedly include an already-confirmed front-wheel-drive small hatchback/crossover.

The report also indicates that Infiniti has some aspirations for stretching its new Q50/Q60 range in a higher-performance direction to take on competitors like BMW and Audi, the latter being De Nysschen's former employer. There's far from a firm timetable offered, of course, with De Nysschen saying "someday in the future we will be able to offer more high performance versions [of Q50] than we have today... the dynamic capabilities of this platform are very significant. It can handle far higher power than the engines we are using at launch."

Infiniti has long envisioned itself as Japan's answer to BMW, and from where we sit, high-performance models would likely help keep the brand focused as it branches out into new segments like that of the JX, a three-row crossover with few sporting pretensions. In addition, its nascent Infiniti Performance Line [IPL] franchise could use the help - we've been underwhelmed with the pricy IPL G Coupe and Convertible to this point, and Infiniti will need to work harder if it truly wants to align its products with its growing Formula One marketing efforts.

Infiniti boss De Nysschen confirms next-gen Q60 Coupe, ponders high-performance variants originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analyzing De Nyscchen's 25-year comeback plan for Infiniti

David Kiley — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Infiniti, Luxury

"It took us 25 years to bring Audi back in the US. This kind of thing takes a long time."

When Johan De Nysschen left his post at Audi of America last year to take the seemingly thankless job of leading Infiniti's global operations, it seemed like a familiar scenario. Like Michael Dukakis going from one of two men that could have won the White House to teaching political science at an obscure Florida college.

De Nysschen was a key architect in rebuilding Audi in the US, from a punchline about "sudden acceleration" in the 1980s, to being a truly hot brand and legitimately vying with BMW and Mercedes-Benz for one-percenters' German car bucks. In talking about his task at Infiniti with me, he repeated a line that I wonder if he mentioned to Nissan-Renault honcho Carlos Ghosn at the hiring meeting: "It took us 25 years to bring Audi back in the US. This kind of thing takes a long time."

Continue reading Analyzing De Nyscchen's 25-year comeback plan for Infiniti

Analyzing De Nyscchen's 25-year comeback plan for Infiniti originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Infiniti Q50 debuts G-replacing design, new hybrid model

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Infiniti, Luxury

Feast your eyes upon the all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50. Say what you will about Infiniti's new Q and QX naming system, but after looking at the new Q50 unveiled today at the Detroit Auto Show and checking out its feature list, we're having a hard time coming up with any additional criticisms. The highlights of the Q50, which goes on sale this summer in the US, include the eye-catching design, innovative cabin technology and a fuel-efficient hybrid model.

The Infiniti G has always had a focus on leading-edge styling, and its replacement is no different. We can easily see that the basic theme of the Q50 was inspired by the Infiniti LE Concept we saw earlier in the year. The edges are a little toned down for the production design, but the overall look is there with the fluidic lines, crescent-shaped C-pillar, the now-signature grille and the horizontal headlights and taillights. Compared to the current G Sedan, the Q50 is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, and it's also more aerodynamic with a drag coefficient of just 0.26, putting in between the Chevrolet Volt (0.28) and the Toyota Prius (0.25).

Continue reading 2014 Infiniti Q50 debuts G-replacing design, new hybrid model

2014 Infiniti Q50 debuts G-replacing design, new hybrid model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Infiniti Q50 hits the web early, courtesy of... Infiniti

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:50:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Infiniti, Luxury

Well, what do we have here? It seems that Infiniti.ca, the official Canadian website of the Japanese automaker, accidentally published a load of 2014 Q50 images ahead of its official debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.

As you can see in our high-res image gallery of screen shots above, the 2014 Infiniti Q50 carries along in the footsteps of the marque's current curvy design language. There's the requisite pinched chrome grille, upswept headlight clusters, and a hood with multiple flowing ridges, peaks and valleys.

As confusing as the newly Q-infused lineup may be on paper, there's simply no mistaking the new Q50 for anything but an Infiniti. You can expect a whole slew of images, facts, figures and commentary on the new luxury sedan on Monday, but until then, feel free to let us know what you think in the Comments.

2014 Infiniti Q50 hits the web early, courtesy of... Infiniti originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti teases G-replacing Q50 ahead of Detroit debut

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Videos, Infiniti, Design/Style, Luxury

Preparing for the introduction of its new naming system and redesigned entry-level sedan, Infiniti has released a brief teaser video for the 2014 Q50. As a refresher, the Q50 is the replacement for the G37 sedan, and while we've seen spy shots of this car before, this video is our first detailed look at the production car.

All we get to see in the video is a shot of the headlight, but we get to see key elements like the stylish daytime running lights, crescent-shaped parking lights and adaptive low beams. The overall shape of the headlight is very close to what we saw earlier this year on the LE Concept. We have to wait until the Detroit Auto Show kicks off in a couple weeks to see the Q50's full design (although we're sure there will be some leaks before that point), but until then, check out the short video posted after the jump.

Continue reading Infiniti teases G-replacing Q50 ahead of Detroit debut

Infiniti teases G-replacing Q50 ahead of Detroit debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti queues up questionable Q and QX naming scheme

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Luxury

Oh boy, this is about to get confusing with a capital Q.

Infiniti has just announced a brand-new scheme that calls for completely new model names across its entire lineup of vehicles. Making things even more difficult will be the fact that all coupes, convertible and sedans will get a Q prefix while all crossovers and SUVs will be prefixed with QX.

Further muddying the waters, previous engine displacement monikers will be replaced by a double-digit number "representing hierarchy within the range." Put less simply, the slot in the lineup currently held by the G Sedan will be called Q50 while the G Coupe and Convertible will be called Q60. Q70 will replace the M Sedan at the top of the automaker's lineup of cars.

On the truck side, the range-topping QX is now the QX80. Sitting below is the QX70, which was formerly the FX, then the QX60 that used to be the JX and finally the QX50, which was but is no longer the EX. Qonfused yet?

Getting back to the G... excuse us, Q50, this is the new sedan that Infiniti had previously announced would be debuting at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Best we can tell, this is a replacement for the old G Sedan, and it will sit below the currently available G Coupe and G Convertible, which will be renamed Q60.

The Q50 will be the first model from Infiniti to fall into the new Q-based naming convention, with the rest of the automaker's lineup falling into place as 2014 models are announced. Infiniti said on a conference call that this move was necessary as the brand branches out beyond the United States.

"This strategic change reflects Infiniti's desire for clarity and cohesiveness," says the press release, which you can read below. Hopefully, that will clear everything up for you...

Continue reading Infiniti queues up questionable Q and QX naming scheme

Infiniti queues up questionable Q and QX naming scheme originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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