Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge: Geneva 2014
Infiniti raids Nissan parts bin, nicks 568hp GT-R engine to liven up Q50 Eau Rouge
Optimising the VR38DETT for Infiniti has raised power and dropped torque a little from the 550hp and 463lb ft of the MY14 GT-R and a spokesman told us the engine had been reengineered for its new application for a less manic feel. Further evidence of this comes from the use of the Q50's standard seven-speed automatic transmission, rather than the snappy dual-clutch of the GT-R. It will also be four-wheel drive though.
If performance delivery is, relatively, a little softer than the GT-R performance will still be enough to make the M3 pause for thought. Infiniti predicts 0-62 in less than four seconds and a top speed 'close to 180mph', giving AMG something to aim for as it perfects the forthcoming 4.0-litre twin-turbo C63 too.
Officially still just a concept at this stage and not confirmed for production, you'd have to expect de Nysschen signs it off given that sponsorship of Red Bull F1 is currently not reflected in the road car line up. A halo model like the Eau Rouge would make perfect sense in that regard, even if the base car and its 'drive by wire' steering left a little to be desired dynamically compared with rivals from M and AMG. Certainly its sub-4.0-litre capacity is on the money for selling the hot Q50 in markets where engines bigger than this are heavily taxed, most likely explaining why it's not opted for a V8.
With this and the Lexus RC F the Germans will soon be facing a two-pronged Japanese attack on their performance saloon and coupe heartland; on paper both have the firepower to trouble them. If they can be made to handle too we'll have a proper fight on our hands.
If they offered it with a manual box and in estate (the car not the lady), then that would be something to talk about.
Besides doesnt that engine need servicing every 5000 miles or so???
If they offered it with a manual box and in estate (the car not the lady), then that would be something to talk about.
Besides doesnt that engine need servicing every 5000 miles or so???
BMW's styling department lost me after the, IMO, perfect, e39 M5, though the M235i and 4-er have given me some hope.
ATM, the only modern, German saloons I'd actually want to own are Audis, namely the S6 and RS7. Even Audis aren't that subtle, anymore.
I guess that's why I don't find the Q50 Eau Rouge so shocking. Apart from some overly fussy details, the overall profile is quite nice. I prefer graceful, feminine curves as opposed to angular, sci-fi-inspired cars. The fact it's an auto doesn't really bother me; it's not meant to be a sports car.
One thing that does puzzle me: the article keeps making reference to C63s and M3s. Isn't this car more a rival to the M5 and E63? ~560 bhp is spot-on where the M5 is concerned.
BMW's styling department lost me after the, IMO, perfect, e39 M5, though the M235i and 4-er have given me some hope.
ATM, the only modern, German saloons I'd actually want to own are Audis, namely the S6 and RS7. Even Audis aren't that subtle, anymore.
I guess that's why I don't find the Q50 Eau Rouge so shocking. Apart from some overly fussy details, the overall profile is quite nice. I prefer graceful, feminine curves as opposed to angular, sci-fi-inspired cars. The fact it's an auto doesn't really bother me; it's not meant to be a sports car.
One thing that does puzzle me: the article keeps making reference to C63s and M3s. Isn't this car more a rival to the M5 and E63? ~560 bhp is spot-on where the M5 is concerned.
Anyway back on topic, I love Infiniti and would easily choose one over a Lexus especially this one. Hell I think I’d choose the QX70 over an ML, GL, X5, Q7 etc etc, (I might take the Porsche tho).
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