Monday 13th January 2014

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge revealed

Looks like a bona fide super saloon, drives like... a regular Q50, frustratingly

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So with the BMW M3 and Lexus RC F both making their debuts at Detroit, is the Q50 Eau Rouge Infiniti's surprise riposte? The car that launches Infiniti into the super saloon fray? Not exactly.

In the official spec table for the Eau Rouge, there is absolutely no mention of mechanical details. It's wider than the standard car and comes with a host of natty carbon bits but it seems the Eau Rouge really is nothing more than a design concept. For now.

Have fun explaining that fog light

Infiniti's President Johan de Nysschen has said "If we built this car I would expect it to feature over 500hp and 600lb/ft of torque. Through our various alliance partners we have access to a range of engines featuring this performance capability... The engine we are evaluating for the Q50 Eau Rouge is a big personality, V-cylinder engine with forced induction." This is the GT-R surely?

So perhaps not all hope it lost yet. Until then, a concept that 'hunkers down with menace and intent' will have to suffice. The 20mm increase in width combined with the bigger exhausts and wheels, carbon body addenda and boot spoiler do at least lend the Q50's shape some much needed aggression. We're not so sure about the 'unmistakably Formula One' single rear fog, but it's certainly a step in the right direction.

There aren't any interior pics yet, but it sounds similar to the outside; lots of red, lots of carbon and lots of F1 influences.

As a 'design vision for a high performance Q50', the Eau Rouge is encouraging. There are hints of the Lexus IS F in its appearance, which certainly wouldn't be a bad template to follow. Until the 'ifs', 'potential' and 'glimpses' disappear though, it remains mildly intriguing rather than properly fascinating. Stick that GT-R engine and come back soon please Infiniti.

 

[pSyCoSiS]

They are not hints, it looking very similar to the Lexus from the front view!

Honestly though, at this sort of money, why would you choose one over the pedigree examples?

[Nick Young]

pSyCoSiS said:

They are not hints, it looking very similar to the Lexus from the front view!

Honestly though, at this sort of money, why would you choose one over the pedigree examples?

At what sort of money? No pricing was announced as far as I know, it's a concept which makes the whole thing a bit pointless in my opinion. I quite like it, but if they were to sell it, I'd imagine it must be north of 50k, at which
point there's a lot of other cars to consider, and which would probably be in front of it on my list.

[john_r]

Article said:

Stick that GT-R engine and come back soon please Infiniti.

That's a bit strong isn't it?

[Alfa159Ti]

All that build up to...some artists impressions of a Q50 with a bodykit and some big wheels.

[boardtweet]

Looks a bit like the new Mazda 6 IMO

[GTRene]

not a bad looking car for the type.

[Madkat]

Has it partially melted?

[Motormatt]

If it's possible to shoehorn a GTR engine & drivetrain into a Qashqai, it should fit easily in a Q50.

Infiniti would then have a luxury 4 door saloon with the pace of a GTR, a Japanese rival in the German dominated super saloon market. Combining GTR underpinnings with luxury wont come cheap though.

Cue a group test with the E63 4matic and RS6, it will need to be very good.

[Amirhussain]

boardtweet said:

Looks a bit like the new Mazda 6 IMO

Thats what I thought it was.

[Escort Si-130]

The Infiniti's are starting to look better, never like them due to the front grill was a mess. Although this one seems to have been blended in better to math the rest of the vehicle.

[ogrimwood]

There's a fair bit of BMW 7 series going on in that side on shot!