Wednesday 23rd April 2014

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge new details

It's now 'officially an engineering feasibility study' - just make the damn thing Infiniti!

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It better be worth waiting for. In one especially drawn out process, Infiniti has released new information on the Q50 Eau Rouge. But it won't confirm the car for production. Not just yet.

So what's new? It's the kind of nerdy tech specs we like to see, and would seem like a lot of effort for something not headed for production. We remain hopeful. Both front and rear tracks are 20mm wider and the ride height has been lowered by 15mm (front) and 20mm (rear). Infiniti talks of 'bespoke' anti-roll bars and dampers too without anything more specific.

Significantly uprated brakes are always a good sign for a performance car. The Q50 Eau Rouge uses massive 390mm discs at the front and 380mm behind. Brembo calipers are there too, six-pot monoblock fronts and four-piston behind. Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 tyres are fitted but the size isn't confirmed yet. In fact there only seems to be a couple of pieces of bad news so far; the first being that the Direct Adaptive Steering is carried over. Regardless of yet more 'bespoke tuning', it's hard not to remain a little sceptical. A slight kerbweight increase is predicted too, from the standard Q50's 1,667kg. Not an auspicious start when the M3 is 1,595kg.

But hey, that's what the additional 130hp is for, right? See below for Infiniti's latest video with Vettel at the wheel, and watch this space for more titbits of info as they arrive.

Vid here.

 

[dukebox9reg]

I like the concept of the car (I quite like the Infiniti range but no dealers near me) but don't like the name. Can quite easily imagine when somebody asks me what car I have to say , I drive an M3, S4, RS4 but to say Eau Rouge. The next question would be, 'a what?' An Infiniti, 'a what?' A posh Nissan(at least in the UK, Infiniti need to catch up with the mainstream yet)

Sounds like its going to be very heavy as well as having the steering by wire system. Doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

[vz-r_dave]

Would you really give a shi... about the name of a car that will likely eat it's competition alive. If it is anything like the 'Heavy' GTR which I am sure owners of care nothing about the badge it will be one hell of a car.

[dukebox9reg]

vz-r_dave said:

Would you really give a shi... about the name of a car that will likely eat it's competition alive. If it is anything like the 'Heavy' GTR which I am sure owners of care nothing about the badge it will be one hell of a car.

I doubt it will based on the fact the current comparable non performance models cannot hold a candle to any other manufacturer in group tests.

[vz-r_dave]

dukebox9reg said:

vz-r_dave said:

Would you really give a shi... about the name of a car that will likely eat it's competition alive. If it is anything like the 'Heavy' GTR which I am sure owners of care nothing about the badge it will be one hell of a car.

I doubt it will based on the fact the current comparable non performance models cannot hold a candle to any other manufacturer in group tests.

As opposed to Nissan who had a range of 'non performance' models which competed with their competition in group tests prior to builduing the GTR?

[blasos]

dukebox9reg said:

I like the concept of the car (I quite like the Infiniti range but no dealers near me) but don't like the name. Can quite easily imagine when somebody asks me what car I have to say , I drive an M3, S4, RS4 but to say Eau Rouge. The next question would be, 'a what?' An Infiniti, 'a what?' A posh Nissan(at least in the UK, Infiniti need to catch up with the mainstream yet)

I guess if other peoples opinions influence your life choices to that extent then you're better off buying something else. Eau Rouge sounds refreshing in the sense that it isn't just numbers and letters.

dukebox9reg said:

Sounds like its going to be very heavy as well as having the steering by wire system. Doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

The RS4 is 1795 kg, the S4 is 1750 kg, and the C63 is 1730 kg; of its direct rivals only the M3 is less massive. It may be regarded as heavy when comparing it to something like say......a banana, but not to contemporary competitors.

[HDM]

Seb, Daniel is faster than you........

[dukebox9reg]

vz-r_dave said:

dukebox9reg said:

vz-r_dave said:

Would you really give a shi... about the name of a car that will likely eat it's competition alive. If it is anything like the 'Heavy' GTR which I am sure owners of care nothing about the badge it will be one hell of a car.

I doubt it will based on the fact the current comparable non performance models cannot hold a candle to any other manufacturer in group tests.

As opposed to Nissan who had a range of 'non performance' models which competed with their competition in group tests prior to builduing the GTR?

Its not a Nissan its Infiniti and in the group tests of all their range vs their rivals they always come bottom of the pile. The diesel and hybrids ie their non-performance models just to explain it a bit further if your still struggling with that. The Renault 3.0DCI is very outdated for example.

Like I said I like them and I am very tempted by a FX as they are starting to become reasonable on the used market now.

[dukebox9reg]

blasos said:

dukebox9reg said:

I like the concept of the car (I quite like the Infiniti range but no dealers near me) but don't like the name. Can quite easily imagine when somebody asks me what car I have to say , I drive an M3, S4, RS4 but to say Eau Rouge. The next question would be, 'a what?' An Infiniti, 'a what?' A posh Nissan(at least in the UK, Infiniti need to catch up with the mainstream yet)

I guess if other peoples opinions influence your life choices to that extent then you're better off buying something else. Eau Rouge sounds refreshing in the sense that it isn't just numbers and letters.

dukebox9reg said:

Sounds like its going to be very heavy as well as having the steering by wire system. Doesn't sound like a recipe for success.

The RS4 is 1795 kg, the S4 is 1750 kg, and the C63 is 1730 kg; of its direct rivals only the M3 is less massive. It may be regarded as heavy when comparing it to something like say......a banana, but not to contemporary competitors.

The RS4 and S4 are 4wd and DSG which both add considerable weight and the C-Class has just been replaced by a much lighter model for starters.

Sorry that I don't like the name, sorry that me not liking something offends you so much.

Still not liking the idea of steering by wire. Was an aircraft engineer for 12 years and worked on similar systems. Does seem pointless as well when Infiniti still fit a steering rack as a safety net.

[vz-r_dave]

dukebox9reg said:

vz-r_dave said:

dukebox9reg said:

vz-r_dave said:

Would you really give a shi... about the name of a car that will likely eat it's competition alive. If it is anything like the 'Heavy' GTR which I am sure owners of care nothing about the badge it will be one hell of a car.

I doubt it will based on the fact the current comparable non performance models cannot hold a candle to any other manufacturer in group tests.

As opposed to Nissan who had a range of 'non performance' models which competed with their competition in group tests prior to builduing the GTR?

Its not a Nissan its Infiniti and in the group tests of all their range vs their rivals they always come bottom of the pile. The diesel and hybrids ie their non-performance models just to explain it a bit further if your still struggling with that. The Renault 3.0DCI is very outdated for example.

Like I said I like them and I am very tempted by a FX as they are starting to become reasonable on the used market now.

I am not debating the fact that their models may have come bottom of the pile, I am debating why that makes you believe that this has any baring on the car not being able to outperform it's rivals.

I used Nissan, their parent company of which they share many synergies as a perfect example of why your comments are utter tosh. I made an assumption based on the proven engine and drive train which it shares with the GTR. Not on the fact they have a 'non performance' model in thier line that falls bottom of the pile.

[dukebox9reg]

vz-r_dave said:

dukebox9reg said:

vz-r_dave said:

dukebox9reg said:

vz-r_dave said:

Would you really give a shi... about the name of a car that will likely eat it's competition alive. If it is anything like the 'Heavy' GTR which I am sure owners of care nothing about the badge it will be one hell of a car.

I doubt it will based on the fact the current comparable non performance models cannot hold a candle to any other manufacturer in group tests.

As opposed to Nissan who had a range of 'non performance' models which competed with their competition in group tests prior to builduing the GTR?

Its not a Nissan its Infiniti and in the group tests of all their range vs their rivals they always come bottom of the pile. The diesel and hybrids ie their non-performance models just to explain it a bit further if your still struggling with that. The Renault 3.0DCI is very outdated for example.

Like I said I like them and I am very tempted by a FX as they are starting to become reasonable on the used market now.

I am not debating the fact that their models may have come bottom of the pile, I am debating why that makes you believe that this has any baring on the car not being able to outperform it's rivals.

I used Nissan, their parent company of which they share many synergies as a perfect example of why your comments are utter tosh. I made an assumption based on the proven engine and drive train which it shares with the GTR. Not on the fact they have a 'non performance' model in thier line that falls bottom of the pile.

The GTR from the outset though was designed to only use that drivetrain which means no compromises. The chassis i'm assuming is a lot stiffer on the GTR and though I can't argue the performance per £ betters most stuff out there, as a drivers car the GTR doesn't usually future near the top of most tests,I have only been a passenger in one so thats has far as i'll comment on that.

The Eau Rouge may be the quickest but if you are feeling what the wheels are doing via a computer interpreting what the wheels are doing is it going to be your favourite car to thread down a B-Road, Christ look at the hammering Porsche are getting for going electric for their steering, at least its still connected to the road.

You could stick the M5 engine into a 3 series but doesn't mean its going to make it any better.

I don't know why my comments are tosh when the current range is viewed as being quite weak which can easily lead to the assumption that the performance version will not be a market leader, you kind of answered your own question. I mean look at the FX Vettel edition.

I hope its good but I am less than optimistic

[vz-r_dave]

dukebox9reg said:

vz-r_dave said:

dukebox9reg said:

vz-r_dave said:

dukebox9reg said:

vz-r_dave said:

Would you really give a shi... about the name of a car that will likely eat it's competition alive. If it is anything like the 'Heavy' GTR which I am sure owners of care nothing about the badge it will be one hell of a car.

I doubt it will based on the fact the current comparable non performance models cannot hold a candle to any other manufacturer in group tests.

As opposed to Nissan who had a range of 'non performance' models which competed with their competition in group tests prior to builduing the GTR?

Its not a Nissan its Infiniti and in the group tests of all their range vs their rivals they always come bottom of the pile. The diesel and hybrids ie their non-performance models just to explain it a bit further if your still struggling with that. The Renault 3.0DCI is very outdated for example.

Like I said I like them and I am very tempted by a FX as they are starting to become reasonable on the used market now.

I am not debating the fact that their models may have come bottom of the pile, I am debating why that makes you believe that this has any baring on the car not being able to outperform it's rivals.

I used Nissan, their parent company of which they share many synergies as a perfect example of why your comments are utter tosh. I made an assumption based on the proven engine and drive train which it shares with the GTR. Not on the fact they have a 'non performance' model in thier line that falls bottom of the pile.

The GTR from the outset though was designed to only use that drivetrain which means no compromises. The chassis i'm assuming is a lot stiffer on the GTR and though I can't argue the performance per £ betters most stuff out there, as a drivers car the GTR doesn't usually future near the top of most tests,I have only been a passenger in one so thats has far as i'll comment on that.

The Eau Rouge may be the quickest but if you are feeling what the wheels are doing via a computer interpreting what the wheels are doing is it going to be your favourite car to thread down a B-Road, Christ look at the hammering Porsche are getting for going electric for their steering, at least its still connected to the road.

You could stick the M5 engine into a 3 series but doesn't mean its going to make it any better.

I don't know why my comments are tosh when the current range is viewed as being quite weak which can easily lead to the assumption that the performance version will not be a market leader, you kind of answered your own question. I mean look at the FX Vettel edition.

I hope its good but I am less than optimistic

The FX (SUV thing, different market) Vettel addition is pure marketing, this goes way beyond that and if you can't distinguish that PH is not the place for you.

I am not referring to this as a driver car, I said that it would destroy its competition (maybe a little exuberant...) which by my standards means it is faster in every way. Assumption is not based on anything other than the fact that the car has been built for this purpose using proven tech (steering aside) as a test bed at this stage.

I do agree on the steeing I will give you that one

[droschke7]

why on earth would you want to call a car "Red Water"?, looks to be a nice car apart from the NATO Snow Camouflage but still "Red Water"?

[ecain63]

I think Vettel might be better off competing in this new Infinity muscle car than his current F1 shed.

[RoverP6B]

droschke7 said:

why on earth would you want to call a car "Red Water"?, looks to be a nice car apart from the NATO Snow Camouflage but still "Red Water"?

Ever heard of a certain Belgian race-track?

[dukebox9reg]

RoverP6B said:

Ever heard of a certain Belgian race-track?

Suppose they are better off not using Japanese track corner names. Infiniti Coca Cola or Infiniti Panasonic aren't the greatest (Fuji Speedway)

or Infiniti Casio, Infiniti Degner (Suzuka)

[RoverP6B]

dukebox9reg said:

Suppose they are better off not using Japanese track corner names. Infiniti Coca Cola or Infiniti Panasonic aren't the greatest (Fuji Speedway)

or Infiniti Casio, Infiniti Degner (Suzuka)

Or Infiniti Gyaku - the one corner at Suzuka with a Japanese name - meaning 'reverse'.

[Clivey]

dukebox9reg said:

The RS4 and S4 are 4wd and DSG which both add considerable weight

This is also AWD - using GT-R mechanicals. Based on that car's performance (and who said it wasn't a driver's car?), it would be unwise to doubt this new "saloon version" IMO.

dukebox9reg said:

Still not liking the idea of steering by wire. Was an aircraft engineer for 12 years and worked on similar systems. Does seem pointless as well when Infiniti still fit a steering rack as a safety net.

Judging by the reviews, the current system is pretty awful from a car enthusiast's point of view...that's not to say that it can't work though - Apparently Porsche have made a very good job with the 991 GT3's electrically-assisted steering (which has in the past been a poor compromise) so there is hope. AFAIK the steering rack is only there to cover their backsides from a legal point of view; if/when these systems are proven to be reliable, I expect we'll see future models without it.