Q45 re-emerging??

[seldomseen]

Nothing 100% confirmed about a redesigned Q coming out. The new M should be a nice treat though.

[MinisterofDOOM]

The new M is certainly a decent holdover. I was immensely pleased when I heard that the flagship would have the VK56, which is the opposite direction I expected Nissan to go. I would happily drive a new M.Interestingly, this time around the Fuga (Japanese equivalent of the M) does not offer ANY V8 options at all. No more Fuga 450 (or 560) GT badges for M owners. The Fuga only comes with a V6 or a tiny V6, which is pretty sad for those poor Japanese buyers. VQ37VHR or VQ25HR and that's it. Can you imagine driving a 4000lb+ car with less than 200ft-lb at your disposal?

All,

Does anyone know if Q45 is going to be making a comeback? or is it still being made for home jap market,

Rob

The Cima (F50) is still being sold in Japan. So is the President, which is essentially the same car.

There have been a lot of rumors of a GTR-based Infiniti flagship potentially bearing the Q name, but that makes no logical sense to me for a number of reasons:

A) The GTR's "PM" platform is EXTREMELY poorly suited to the sedan configuration. The platform was purpose built for the GTR and features some odd design aspects because of that. (See also point C)

B) People buying $70k+ cars in the US do not want V6s, turbos notwithstanding. 8, 10, or 12 cylinders is a MUST.

C) As Maserati discovered with the Quattroporte, most buyers in that segment do not like automated manuals. They prefer traditional automatics. The PM platform is designed specifically around a rear transaxle like the QP used. The QP now offers a traditional front-mount automatic in addition to the original rear-mount automanual. If Maserati can't pull of an automated manual in a luxury sedan, no one can.

If the Infiniti GTR sedan did happen, it either would not bear the Q name or would not be the kind of car we all expect to see bearing the Q name, which are the same thing in the end.

[Skibane]

The new M is certainly a decent holdover. I was immensely pleased when I heard that the flagship would have the VK56, which is the opposite direction I expected Nissan to go.

415 HP isn't exactly a game-changer...

The next Q needs to establish a reputation for nosebleed-inducing acceleration, braking and handling. Lexus can have the title of building the most boring poshmobile - Infiniti should concentrate on building the SR71 of luxury cars!

[MinisterofDOOM]

415 HP isn't exactly a game-changer...

Where'd you get that number? I have never been able to find any info on the VK56VD beyond "over 400hp."

But even assuming that 415hp is accurate, it may not be a game changer, but it's sure a lot better than 320hp. With everyone constantly b****ing about fuel economy I didn't expect Nissan to have the balls to put the big VK in a car. I'm glad they did.

[paranoidjack]

The new M is certainly a decent holdover. I was immensely pleased when I heard that the flagship would have the VK56, which is the opposite direction I expected Nissan to go. I would happily drive a new M.Interestingly, this time around the Fuga (Japanese equivalent of the M) does not offer ANY V8 options at all. No more Fuga 450 (or 560) GT badges for M owners. The Fuga only comes with a V6 or a tiny V6, which is pretty sad for those poor Japanese buyers. VQ37VHR or VQ25HR and that's it. Can you imagine driving a 4000lb+ car with less than 200ft-lb at your disposal?

The Cima (F50) is still being sold in Japan. So is the President, which is essentially the same car.

There have been a lot of rumors of a GTR-based Infiniti flagship potentially bearing the Q name, but that makes no logical sense to me for a number of reasons:

A) The GTR's "PM" platform is EXTREMELY poorly suited to the sedan configuration. The platform was purpose built for the GTR and features some odd design aspects because of that. (See also point C)

B) People buying $70k+ cars in the US do not want V6s, turbos notwithstanding. 8, 10, or 12 cylinders is a MUST.

C) As Maserati discovered with the Quattroporte, most buyers in that segment do not like automated manuals. They prefer traditional automatics. The PM platform is designed specifically around a rear transaxle like the QP used. The QP now offers a traditional front-mount automatic in addition to the original rear-mount automanual. If Maserati can't pull of an automated manual in a luxury sedan, no one can.

If the Infiniti GTR sedan did happen, it either would not bear the Q name or would not be the kind of car we all expect to see bearing the Q name, which are the same thing in the end.

MOD, are you in sales by any chance?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Nope. Why do you ask?

[Skibane]

Where'd you get that number? I have never been able to find any info on the VK56VD beyond "over 400hp."

Page 16 of the current edition of MOTOR TREND (although to be fair, they state that it's an "estimated" figure). wakopedia matter-of-factly states it as 420 HP.

Quote »But even assuming that 415hp is accurate, it may not be a game changer, but it's sure a lot better than 320hp. With everyone constantly b****ing about fuel economy I didn't expect Nissan to have the balls to put the big VK in a car. I'm glad they did.[/quote]The hybrid V6 version will keep the tree-huggers happy, so Infiniti could have gone REALLY wide and deep with the V8...if they'd been smart! Can you imagine what a VK56 with factory- installed twin turbos (or a turbo/supercharger combo) would have been like?

[maxnix]

Where'd you get that number? I have never been able to find any info on the VK56VD beyond "over 400hp."

http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=2299379

And more nannies than Tiger Woods kids.