To say Infiniti has released details of its new Q60 coupe ahead of next week's debut at the NAIAS in Detroit would be over-egging it a bit. We do have a picture at least, fleshing out the
vague silhouette
shown before Christmas as part of the pre-Detroit build-up.
Described as a "premium sports coupe" the press release accompanying this image says the car "sits low and wide in a road hugging stance hinting at exceptional dynamics and driving pleasure." Beyond that road hugging stance little in the way of detail is offered in how these ends may be achieved, though the "aerodynamic gills" in the front wings are "inherited" from the Nissan GT-R engined Q50 Eau Rouge concept.
Don't get too excited by that news - the Eau Rouge was a one-off driveable concept rather than an actual engineering prototype but our conversation with Infiniti's Jerry Hardcastle earlier in the year suggested there is an enthusiasm to spice up the brand's image with some proper performance product in the not too distant. The BMW M4 and Lexus RC F probably don't have anything to worry about in the immediate future. But with the continued links with F1 and Infiniti's ambitions to compete with BMW M and Mercedes-AMG this should mean something spicy on the horizon.
We'll find out in due course; for now the Infiniti press release seems more interested in talking about "impeccable hand-stitched leather", seemingly inevitable "carbon fibre accents" and quality and quantity of the different hides used to cover the seats. Which are "genuine" sport items apparently. Oh, and it's got 21-inch wheels, inspired by jet turbine blades and using a mix of matt black and chrome to, in Infiniti's words, "emphasise how 'planted' the coupe is."
Design inspiration from the Q80 concept is discussed by Infiniti design boss Alfonso Albaisa, who describes the Q60 as "the next step in the journey" of the brand's design evolution. The Q80's distinctive C-pillar treatment has made it over but overall there are definite similarities with the Lexus RC F it will be competing against upon launch.