Skip advert
Advertisement

Infiniti Q50 revealed

The all-new Infiniti Q50 sports saloon has been officially unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show

This is the Infiniti Q50, which starts a new chapter for Nissan’s luxury brand at the Detroit Motor Show. The BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS rival is the first model to feature the new Infiniti naming system, which sees all future saloons, coupes and convertibles use the 'Q' prefix, while all the SUVs will use 'QX'.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In keeping with Infiniti's design strategy, the Q50 favours curves over the sharper bodywork of its German rivals, and takes plenty of influence from the Essence concept show at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009, and more recently the all-electric LE which debuted at the New York Motor Show in 2012.

A curvaceous 'double arch' grille marks out the Q50's nose, while design flourishes include twin exhaust tailpipes and an inverted crescent-shaped kink in the C-pillar.

On the inside, thinner seats and a greater range of adjustability means there's more head and legroom for all passengers, while active noise cancellation, via the Bose sound system, comes as standard.

There's also a pioneering twin screen setup. Most frequently used apps, such as sat-nav, are displayed on the top screen while others are kept on the lower display.

The two screens work together so that, for example, the navigation map can be viewed on the top screen while setting destinations or finding points-of-interest can be done down below.

For American customers, the Q50 will be offered with two powertrains; a 323bhp 3.7-litre petrol V6 and a 355bhp 3.5-litre petrol V6-electric hybrid, with the choice of rear or four-wheel drive.

When the Q50 makes it European debut at the Geneva show in March it will be shown with a selection of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines better suited to European tastes.

Multi-link suspension, available with standard or sports dampers, will ensure the Q50 responds well from behind the wheel, while a new Direct Adaptive Steering system is fitted for the first time. It allows drivers to select not just the weight of the steering, but how quick the ratio is too.

As part of Inifiniti's sponsorship of Red Bull F1, drivers Sebastien Vettel and Sebastien Buemi both helped to develop the chassis at the Nurburgring and at Infiniti’s Tochigi facility in Japan. So, could this be the car to challenge the BMW 3 Series as the driver's choice in the segment?

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Shanghai Motor Show 2025: what all the big car brands are up to
Shanghai Motor Show 2025 - header

Shanghai Motor Show 2025: what all the big car brands are up to

The Shanghai Auto Show is now an established part of the automotive calendar – we’ve got a full list of show debuts
News
25 Mar 2025
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025 will celebrate genius Gordon Murray’s 60-year career
Gordon Murray T.50 in front of Goodwood house

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025 will celebrate genius Gordon Murray’s 60-year career

2025’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will also feature an enormous celebration of Formula One, with a central theme of ‘The Winning Formula – Champions a…
News
17 Mar 2025
Best classic and performance car shows, events and days out for the family in 2025
British motoring events planner 2025 - header

Best classic and performance car shows, events and days out for the family in 2025

You’ve got your new car but where are you going to drive it? Our selection of events and road trips will provide some inspiration
Features
27 Jan 2025
Brussels Motor Show 2025: full show round-up and all the exciting new cars
Brussels Motor Show header

Brussels Motor Show 2025: full show round-up and all the exciting new cars

The all-new BYD Atto 2, Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Mazda 6e were among the key models on display at this year's Brussels Motor Show
News
14 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Protyre area manager Simon Hall inspecting a Vauxhall Corsa's tyre

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change

The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories
News
12 May 2025
Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future
Mazda MX-5 EV exclusive image - front

Mazda MX-5 goes electric: the iconic roadster's radical future

The next Mazda MX-5 roadster is set to be offered as a pure EV, and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
10 May 2025
Car Deal of the Day: 10,000 miles per year in the upgraded Cupra Formentor for only £280 a month
Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: 10,000 miles per year in the upgraded Cupra Formentor for only £280 a month

The best-selling coupé-SUV received an extensive facelift last year, and now it’s our Deal of the Day for 11 May
News
11 May 2025