Possible new Q45 debuting in 2010?

[IceCubeFoSho]

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...34407

"The four-door GT-R is expected to weigh around 4,080 pounds and cost in the neighborhood of $100,000. It's slated for a late-2010 debut."

"one source close to Nissan says the company is now leaning toward a slightly tuned-up version of the 5.0-liter V8 that powers the Infiniti FX50."

4 Doors, V8 engine, More luxury focused, $100K? I think we might be looking at a new Q45 hopefully.

[maxnix]

Well, I would like to see it at less than 4080 lbs., about what a G50 dry weighs.

Something around 3200 -3500 would be ideal but expensive.


Modified by maxnix at 3:44 PM 10/28/2008

[MinisterofDOOM]

The GTR already weighs 4000lb (although that's partially due to the complex AWD system it uses).

I keep seeing references to the new Infiniti flagship being a "4 door GTR" but without the VR38DETT and rear-mounted transaxle I don't see how there can be much GTR left in it.

Regardless, a VK50VE flagship is exactly what Infiniti needs. What they DON'T need, though, is a $100,000 price tag. Nissan corporate is clearly clueless as to what their customers are looking for. NO ONE shopping at an Infiniti dealer wants a 4-door GTR. ALL we want is our $60,000 Q back. That's it...it's that simple. The GTR is not Infiniti flagship material. The interior is tiny. And with the drivetrain apparently not carrying over, there's no point in using ANY of the GTR. Just give us a viable 7-series fighter with the VK50VE and we'll be more than happy.

There is no reason in all the depths of unreality that a Q-class Infiniti flagship, even fully loaded, should cost more than $80,000, and even that is pushing it. This is Infiniti, for crying out loud, not BMW.

[gammer_ghn]

I would buy it if its just a few grand more expensive than the FX50 and the Fx 50 is already an AWD so i don't think we will need cross technology from the gtr since the Fx50's awd will be much stronger and a fully loaded Fx50 is 67k so a fully loaded Q which would be 70k even i can work with that!. But all in all i dont think they will be as nice as our old school ones!

[maxnix]

Regardless, a VK50VE flagship is exactly what Infiniti needs. What they DON'T need, though, is a $100,000 price tag. Nissan corporate is clearly clueless as to what their customers are looking for. NO ONE shopping at an Infiniti dealer wants a 4-door GTR. ALL we want is our $60,000 Q back.

I think that is what the M50 will be.

I think a niche smaller performance sedan is a great idea, but regardless of power source, it has to be significantly lighter than anything else out there.

By the way, to amortize the cost of the GTR V6, I wouldn't surprised if appears in another car, maybe detuned a little.
Modified by maxnix at 3:43 PM 10/28/2008

[seldomseen]

A Q50 costing upwards of $100k is definatley a possibility, if such a car is even developed. Hell, the Q45 topped $60k for a fully stuffed model back in '02-'06. Thus far Infiniti has made no official mention of bringing back the Q for 2010. Time will reveal....

[slybydesignq45t]

Honestly a lot of car makers have brought back models with true success. From the Maybach to the Mini.

This is a trial and error time for auto makers. I can totally support a newer 2010/12 Q45 limited addition. The thing is, who would they be going up against.

Key factors would include, price range, market conditions, buying age group and competition.

Who would they competition be. Obviously not Lexus. If it where to be Lexus, they could destroy the Infiniti brand name which took them 10 years to build back up. They can't compete with Mercedes because of pricing so that right there is out of the question. They would have to be viewed as a better alternative to a BMW period. They would have to price 3 trims at best 15k below BMW's MSRP.

Marketing and Promotions. They would have to figure out who would opt for a BMW competitor. In order to do that they have to figure out the demo that can afford to change. They can easily do this by selling quality. Quality and performance with a better warranty than BMW and show there car to be better fuel efficient then any BMW big boy. They would have to sell the car on the fact the original G50's are strong cars then equate that with todays economy and sell warranties for the life of the car and not just 100,000 miles.

Last but not least design. Lexus, Mercedes, Chrysler, Ford, VW, and GM all went back in time to reinvent a classic. They tool key note factors of previous successful models and modernized them with todays technologies in design applications. I can see a new 2010/12 Q45 being much like the G50 but with many attributes from newer sleeker tail lights. Sleeker cleaner lines, better forward slopping and the no orange peal paint they where known for. The interior would have to be supple, bright with more options for wood trim pending model line up.

A guy/girl who can afford $67,000 could afford a LS460. If they price in range with Lexus, which would be a huge mistake, they would have to compete with the interior factor. I think in my heart of hearts, that Infiniti can really slam dunk the market by design a sophisticated interior with less buttons, nobs, and switches and more simple real world use compartments and a bigger GPS/DVD/NAV system which will decrease the learning curve all while giving the owner sense of being one with their car.

[qship96]

Maybe they should just pay Lexus to design the next Q.

[maxnix]

No, they specifically need to avoid the overloaded land yacht concept.

[Kiven422]

I think in my heart of hearts, that Infiniti can really slam dunk the market by design a sophisticated interior with less buttons, nobs, and switches and more simple real world use compartments and a bigger GPS/DVD/NAV system which will decrease the learning curve all while giving the owner sense of being one with their car.

There is I-Drive which is basically a whole bunch of controls in one. Its supposedly a great system! I hate it with a passion! It takes about 15 seconds just to turn your seat warmer on if you know how, 25 seconds with the radio on.

Then there's the 2002 Q45 interior which is absolutely the best I have ever used in terms if simplicity and placement.... and it looks different from every other car.

[slybydesignq45t]

The I-Drive found in BMW's has gotten some of the worst user reviews for practical functionality. When I sat in the 2003 Q45, I too was very impressed. I did like the efficient interior design, but I do feel with a different interior design that would push a Newer Q into the 2010/12 or even as far as 2016 market one would need to redesign the cabin. More elaborate lines, softer yet comfortable leather appointments. In order to accommodate a forward sloping front end one would need to redesign the dash and the dash functional positions.

[maxnix]

In order to accommodate a forward sloping front end one would need to redesign the dash and the dash functional positions.

I think the F50 and Y50 dash designs are among the best. In particular, having the navigation screen up high is better than many MB and even Lexus.

[slybydesignq45t]

I think the F50 and Y50 dash designs are among the best. In particular, having the navigation screen up high is better than many MB and even Lexus.

100% Agreed. Its a major difference when it comes to reaction time on the road. I don't know if the OS is locked based on movement such as the North American Nav Systems. I can imagine seeing a smooth flowing (if you get what I mean) cabin design with optimal appointment for all passengers. Believe it or not, I can even imagine a 2012 Q50S for Sports, making it a full luxury 4 seater sedan, Q50E for Executive 5 seater base model and Q50LW for Long Wheel Base. No more T's and A's, just these trims. Also the LW should be strictly special order. Then they can release the 2014 Q50LW the SBD Addition.....thats the SlyByDesign Addition.....

[sandcobra]

Hi,New to your site, but as for a new Q car, for what it's worth, I e-mailed Infiniti of NA and their response was "no plans in the near future to offer a Q45 in their line-up." Guess we're stuck with the M or an older Q! (sigh!!)

[Infinitiguy19]

N/A

[Unnatural1]

sandcobra - Welcome to NICO!

ppastos - The dealer may not be all it's cracked up to be but it's definitely NOT Jiffy Lube. The dealer may misdiagnose something but they typically won't hire a high school student that will forget to fill your engine with oil at the next oil change. You can't say that for Jiffy Lube, Walmart, Kwik Kar, etc....

Infiniti has been denying plans for a new Q45 for a while now. That doesn't rule out a possible Q50. If there is a new Q that is the engine I'm betting it will use. I doubt they use the VR38 in anything but the 2 door GT-R (as well as race versions). After all, they didn't use the RB engines in anything but Skylines (and race cars) that I'm aware of. Maybe something JDM only?

I also wouldn't say that Nissan/Infiniti is "clearly clueless". Carlos Ghosn has shown that he definitely knows what he is doing with Nissan/Infiniti. So much so that he is now CEO of 2 large auto manufacturers, Renault AND Nissan. In the last 10 years, Nissan/Infiniti has made a complete 180 in terms of success. The company was on the verge of bankruptcy at the end of the 90's. Clearly they know their customer...now.

I think a limited production high end 4-door "GT-R" is just what the company needs to become the flagship model. I'm sure the vehicle will be well executed but will the marketing department get it together? I think recent history says yes they can.
Modified by Unnatural1 at 12:20 AM 11/2/2008

[maxnix]

After all, they didn't use the RB engines in anything but Skylines (and race cars) that I'm aware of. Maybe something JDM only?

The RB was available in the Y33 Gloria and Cedric, but not the FY33 Cima. As much as people love the RB for its strength, it was a cast iron block with aluminum head.

Nissan will have to use a variant of the GTR engine somewhere else to amortize tooling costs.

[MinisterofDOOM]

After all, they didn't use the RB engines in anything but Skylines (and race cars) that I'm aware of. Maybe something JDM only?

It was used in a lot more than just the Skyline, just nothing here in the US.

[smalcom]

I think that if Nissan/Infiniti was going to bring out a new Q they would have initiated a lawsuit when Audi named their new vehicle the Q7. It looks like Infiniti has given up the Q name.

[maxnix]

I think that if Nissan/Infiniti was going to bring out a new Q they would have initiated a lawsuit when Audi named their new vehicle the Q7. It looks like Infiniti has given up the Q name.

Well, there was a legal agreement allowing Audi to use it for the Q7, but I think there was some disagreement when Audi added the Q5 and Q3.

[maxnix]

Well, maybe an M5 and Panamera killer is on the way.

As indicated by recent rumors, Nissan’s Infiniti division is believed to be working on a more luxurious, four-door version of the GT-R sports car. At this point in time we don’t know exactly what the car will look like, but our artist has created a speculative illustration of how it might look.

As reported in October, Nissan is rumored to have given the green light to the project after months of internal debate. The decision should make Infiniti dealers happy, who unsuccessfully lobbied to have the two-door GT-R badged as an Infiniti in the United States.

The Infiniti model won’t simply be a GT-R clone, but rather a reworked car that will feature a new powertrain and two extra doors. Nissan plans to stretch the GT-R into a four-door coupe, giving Infiniti a true flagship model.

That’s right, the long-rumored and enthusiast-lamented four-door GT-R could be at your local Infiniti dealer in 2011.

Despite sharing the same basic platform, the Infiniti model will differentiate itself from the GT-R in its powerplant offerings. Whereas the GT-R uses a twin-turbo 3.8L V6, the Infiniti model will be powered by a 420 horsepower version of the same 5.0L V8 used in the FX50. Power will be sent to all four-wheels via the GT-R’s AWD system, and shifting responsibilities will continue to be handled by the GT-R’s twin-clutch gearbox. Performance is rumored to be so-so, with a 0-60 time of 5 seconds and a top speed of 170 mph.

Auto Express says the new Infiniti model will do battle with the likes of the Porsche Panamera and BMW M5, but with ‘only’ 420 ponies under the hood, the Infiniti could be out gunned. Then again, no one thought the underpowered and overweight GT-R would be putting up the numbers that it has.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/in...10820

[Unnatural1]

I hope they build that. That is a great looking Q50!

[Infinitiguy19]

That's too much sport for me the 2002 Q45 was to much luxury, Infiniti needs to find the balance they had with the 1990 Q45.

But Sportiness such as that isn't all that bad either.

[MinisterofDOOM]

All I can say is it had better be BIG. If it isn't big, Infiniti emblems don't belong on it. There's a simple system for luxury automaker product heirarchies. It's called bigger is better. The higher up the totem pole of sport-lux awesomeness you go, the bigger the cars get. If Nissan wants to make a G35-sized kind-of-lux car, that's fine. But a slightly more luxurious GTR with 2 more doors is NOT Infiniti flagship material.

People paying $100,000 for a luxury car want LUXURY for crying out loud. They want their passengers in the back seat to say "holy crap this is amazing!" and not "hey, can you slide your seat forward?"

[maxnix]

No, big is heavy = compromised performance.

Better it go against the M3, RS4, the fun but unbalanced and thirsty C6.3.

[qship96]

Whatever they do, the back seat needs to be as spacious as the audi a8L, bmw 750LI and the lexus ls460L.....or it will be dead in the water....a luxury flagship cannot have a cramped interior

[maxnix]

No, think they need to get away from the luxury gadget boat. They need to go performance niche. A car like this might crack 28 mpg @ 60 mph with the 7 speed.

[jltibbs]

No, think they need to get away from the luxury gadget boat. They need to go performance niche. A car like this might crack 28 mpg @ 60 mph with the 7 speed.

Nissan/Infiniti have their performance vehicles already. A new 'Q' will need to remain luxurious yet still have plenty of power. Surely Infiniti can have their 'luxury gadget boat' and an "underpowered and overweight GT-R". This whole idea is like Cadillac coming out with a 4 cylinder economy car. Most people think its retarded, while others want to be able to 'say' they own a Cadillac.

I say go ahead and make a GT-R inspired sedan, but call it a G50 (keeping it with the G series family). Then, make a Q50 boasting the same power plant, but offering more 'gadgets' and plenty more room. Just my two cents.

[Kiven422]

I would like Infiniti to come out with a Q45 that has more rear-leg-room than the 2002.

[maxnix]

I would like Infiniti to come out with a Q45 that has more rear-leg-room than the 2002.

That would be the Y50 M series.