The new Q?

[StarPD]

Heard a rumor Tuesday at my Infiniti dealer.There is scuttlebutt going around about the replacement for the Q. Ostensibly, it will NOT be called a "Q". It supposedly will be an Americanized version of a car already either being made or planned for a Japanese luxury car. It will have its own identification, one not used perviously by Infiniti here. Supposedly, it will have over 400 HP, and will sell for around the $80,000 mark. It is supposed to be a Lexus LS killer.

It is supposed to debut in 2009, probably as a 2010 model.

Too bad. I was hoping it would be a 550 or even a 750 killer, but apparently, Nissan sees Toyota's Lexus badge as their main competitition.

Anyone else have any insight or back-door info?

[qship96]

my guess is it will be a total failure in the market

[elwesso]

I just hope they make very limited quantities and keep it fairly exclusive. Honestly, they hit the nail on the head with the M and I think thats about as upscale as NISSAN can take it.

[AlabamaDan]

I'm not sure that Infiniti will ever be as it once was when it first entered the market in the early 1990s. They had some true state of the art cars in the J and Q that were ahead of their time. Truth be know, I think they lost money on almost every car sold but were willing to do so to gain the market share. Now they've got the market share and no need for that.

I think they're happy with the FX and G35s.

I don't think there will ever be another Q. The M's cool, but not as popular.

[gniknave]

I think they're going to hit a home run with the Q (or whatever they want to call it). They hit the nail on the head with both G35's, the new M is a much much bigger hit than the previous one, the FX remains hot, the G37 just won a comparison over the popular 335i, and that leaves the new Q. They're doing some thing's right on the Infiniti side, so I think they can get it right this time. I give them props for not rushing the new Q because of what the competition is coming out with, and instead taking their time to get it right.

[qship96]

Infiniti is not even considered when shopping for a true top of the line luxury nameplate,and hasnt been since the early 90`s sad but true

[gammer_ghn]

I think they're going to hit a home run with the Q (or whatever they want to call it). They hit the nail on the head with both G35's, the new M is a much much bigger hit than the previous one, the FX remains hot, the G37 just won a comparison over the popular 335i, and that leaves the new Q. They're doing some thing's right on the Infiniti side, so I think they can get it right this time. I give them props for not rushing the new Q because of what the competition is coming out with, and instead taking their time to get it right.

True True True but somehow people look at Lexus as a better car but I don’t get why the Q never was so popular.... Infiniti needs to commercialize their stuff a bit since lexus sells like that the new LS has a lot of stuff that the Q will need to out do the mother Fu ck ers have a laser body temperature detecting AC... something no ones really needs but its there all these cars are very high in technology but the reason why Infiniti loses is because their reputation is not among Sheep America its preserved within the part of the population that knows about cars therefore they need to lunch a commercial and show it off well at the car shows!!!

my guess is it will be a total failure in the market

Not if its showed off well remember all of us enjoy and appreciate the Q more now than we ever gave a crap about it before!!

Heard a rumor Tuesday at my Infiniti dealer.There is scuttlebutt going around about the replacement for the Q. Ostensibly, it will NOT be called a "Q". It supposedly will be an Americanized version of a car already either being made or planned for a Japanese luxury car. It will have its own identification, one not used perviously by Infiniti here. Supposedly, it will have over 400 HP, and will sell for around the $80,000 mark. It is supposed to be a Lexus LS killer.

It is supposed to debut in 2009, probably as a 2010 model.

Too bad. I was hoping it would be a 550 or even a 750 killer, but apparently, Nissan sees Toyota's Lexus badge as their main competitition.

Anyone else have any insight or back-door info?

And as for you 400BHP is nice but remember is a Japanese car and from the #s it is already faster than the s550 and the 750il since they only have 380 hp-382hp as said online... so I don’t know why its so bad to have 400HP you got a car that’s faster than a G37 or S15 Silvia and yet its a sedan...

[StarPD]

I just hope they make very limited quantities and keep it fairly exclusive. Honestly, they hit the nail on the head with the M and I think thats about as upscale as NISSAN can take it.

I think I agree. Infiniti did a great job with the G35 and now the G 37 coupe. The M has been very well received by the automotive press, and even Consumers' Reports gives it a great writeup. It's true that the G50 was a greatly underrated but superb car, especially for its time. It will be a difficult task to produce another car as well engineered and manufactured. The F50 was an attempt to regain that greatness, but misses the mark in a few ways. I dearly love my '05 Q45, despite the poor steering, which is set up to mimic Lexus (too much boost and not enough feel). The worst part is that combined with the VDC and the counterproductive assist curve of the speed sensitive steering, it's a handful to drive fast very well, especially for less skilled drivers. But it's lighter than a G50, and corners much flatter, so that makes up for the steering somewhat, plus it has a much sharper steering cut. It will turn much shorter than a G50, and do so much more responsively and quicker.

I'm hoping that the Infiniti people at Nissan will orient the car more toward the BMW 550 and 750, and produce a car with even better ride/handling than BMW. They have the talent to do so, but what remains to be seen is if they have the will. Even more, I selfishly hope they do as poor a job marketing it initially as they did the G50 and other cars they've introduced. That way, resale will be terrible, and I may be able to afford a 2 year old one, which is the way I buy my Q45s. At $80k new, it's out of my price range, but with excessive depreciation as they have suffered historically, I might be able to afford a 2 year old one. My '94 Q45t sold new for around $56k. I bought it used in 1996 with 27,000 miles for $28k. I could live with similar depreciation for a 2 year old next generation, whatever it's called.

Despite the shortcomings of post G50 Qs, they are still fantastic deals used.There is no other car that comes close to them at 2 years old for true luxury AND performance at unusually low prices. It's the most bang for the buck in the business.

I guess we'll all see whether Infiniti/Nissan did their homework before too long. I sure hope so. I wonder if folks like us writing them to tell them what WE would like to see would accomplish much.

[gammer_ghn]

Damn man nice mentality seems like its working for you but nissan has changed alot since 2000-2002 but they still dont do good with commercials so were good sheep america wont buy none and if were lucky we can find a very nice one used! i never had a brand new car = [ so ya bohoo to me!

[qship96]

while the steep depreciation is great for buyer #2,it hurts new car sales as the lease numbers suck due to low residual values,and destroys its perceived value to cash/loan buyers who want to trade every 3-5 years and get taken to the cleaners on resale value--a perfect recipe to hinder the new cars success in the marketplace

[mcrews]

inho, their marketing SUCKS.There was a 2 page in a car mag and the print was too small the color of the font was too close to the background color and the gloss paper made it too hard to read.the lexus ad 4 pages over had none of these problems.granted that is advertising accross the whole infinity line but they were unable to convey the right image with the Q

mark

[Jesda]

Smells like failure. I hope its pretty.

[gniknave]

The Lexus LS sells so well because Lexus is the only manufacturer that advertises it's flagship.

[elwesso]

You cant market to the 5 series and the 7 series at the same time. IMO, the M is sort of in 3 series price range with 5 series goodness. Its hard to say though.

People buy 7's and S classes because theyre loaded and want the status icon. Infiniti probably wont do it, since it is still just a little NISSAN. If theyre going to go after the 7 they will have to produce a car of higher build quality and have a better ride. People who buy 7s probably dont care so much about handling as they do comfort. in 5 series land, maybe thats different, but I still think the M does a good job at competing with the 5. One thing that nissan has had a terrible job doing is making their motors feel refined. You drive a V8 lexus, BMW or MB and the motor feels like velvet. All of the new motors feel more rugged. I like it like that, but the market doesnt.

I think evan is right though, they certainly have been doing everything right, the new M is arguably better than the 5, the G37 coupe is probably better than the 335i coupe, the QX56 is stupid as ever, and the FX does a great job at what its supposed to do. If Infiniti can somehow make people consider a (whatever this thing is gonna be called) over a 7, then i'll be very impressed. I still wish itd carry the Q nameplate. thing is, it probably wouldnt hurt them because no one knows what a Q is...

Honestly, I like the new infiniti commericals, I think theyre cool.

Bottom line is, I have yet to be in ANY new car of similar price range as a G50 was that is simply as great, namely the interior. I still think that the G50 was simply way too far ahead of its time... People werent ready for everything that the G50 brought us.

[Skibane]

I selfishly hope they do as poor a job marketing it initially as they did the G50 and other cars they've introduced. That way, resale will be terrible

Yep, and poor sales would also give it an aura of exclusivity. There's something to be said for driving a bargain-priced luxury car that is like nothing else on your block - or your subdivision - or your entire town!

[lakeq45]

Just picked up my Q from the dealer service this morning at I was chatting with the service manager. I was lamenting the missing Q and he commented that "The Q is coming back." I told him that I had heard rumors and asked if he knew anything officially at which point he clammed up and became very interested in my service report again. I know, still nothing definite, and he could be going from the same rumors that we have here. Heck, he may read this board, but still I thought it was interesting.

I have a few other things I will be posting today that came out of this visit, but have to do some work now.

[q45vh]

wow if they reallly came out wit a new Q45, it would be great!!! i mean like, lexus LS is nice, but is supposetly not as sporty than the competitors!! so infiniti would probably take out the ls wit ease!!! hope infiniti will nail this!!!

[StarPD]

Picture a well designed full size car about as big as a current F50 at around 3850 lbs using generous amounts of aluminum. Imagine a 425 HP 5.5 liter motor with the beef of a VH45 with a strong 6 or 7 speed automatic manual trans like VWs DSG with sport and standard settings and a GOOD locking diff. Now put it on a suspension that mimics BMWs efforts, both in design and ride/handling, with BMWs excellent variable ratio steering, active rear steering and semi-active shocks. Use the same premium leather used in early G50s. Keep HID headlights, both high and low beams, with MANUAL height adjustment. Provide a true premium sound system with Bluetooth and Mp3 as well as music DVD/CD capability. Keep the dual zone climate control, but make it for front and rear, with heated and cooled seats front and rear. Provide full 4 memory settings for the 14 way power adjustment with thigh support and bolster adjustment seats, wheel and mirrors, lumbar adjustments for driver and passenger.

Include lightweight premium wheels and tires, and most of the doo-dads present in current (recent) Q45s, including backup camera, auto-headlights, rain-sensing wipers, trip computer, etc. Add HUD, auto door locks, and programmable ECU. Sell it in 3 versions; Standard and Sport (with no Nav), and Tourimg with updatable hard drive based Nav.

Performance goals would be 0-60 in 5 seconds flat, top speed of 165 governed, and 23 MPG city/30 MPG highway.

Sell it for $60,000, and launch it with an aggressive advertising campaign after submitting it to Consumer's Reports (remember they gave the M a great review) and car mags.

Too bad it will never happen. It could, but it won't.Sigh.

[lino]

Sorry if it's already been posted.

[StarPD]

Uh, the top photo looks like a G35 sedan or possibly an M45 Sport, difficult to tell, the bottom one an artists's conception of the soon to be released Skyline GTR coupe (or whatever name it will be marketed under here). No Q45 or its replacement that I can see.

But I'd dearly love to see a GOOD spy photo of one.

[sijoko]

What do you guys think of this Q45 concept drawing?

[99q45t_vl]

Looks like Olds Aurora.

[Skibane]

Looks like the rear tires are a little low on air...

[ScottJackson]

that's the cheapest way to get airbags to raise and lower your car... just use the tires instead!

[lino]

Uh, the top photo looks like a G35 sedan or possibly an M45 Sport, difficult to tell, the bottom one an artists's conception of the soon to be released Skyline GTR coupe (or whatever name it will be marketed under here). No Q45 or its replacement that I can see.

But I'd dearly love to see a GOOD spy photo of one.

I believe that the top photo is supposed to be of the Q replacement. Notice the 5 liter V8 in the text.

[Jesda]

90s retro?

Way to suck, Nissan. Maybe the company should have just gone out of business.

[StarPD]

I believe that the top photo is supposed to be of the Q replacement. Notice the 5 liter V8 in the text.

Geez, I never even noticed that, or the GTR in big letters. DUH!

. I saw the Japanese characters and never looked any further. I still think it looks like a G35 though. Maybe a G35 with a V8?

[StarPD]

What do you guys think of this Q45 concept drawing?

The artist's rendering does look a lot like an Auroroa, but we know how the car actually turned out. Not like that, thank God. I'm partial, but I like the looks of the F50, even as I still like the looks of the G50.

[StarPD]

El Wesso wrote:

"You cant market to the 5 series and the 7 series at the same time. IMO, the M is sort of in 3 series price range with 5 series goodness. Its hard to say though."

Actually, I was thinking of something between them size wise. My brother has a new 525, and it's smaller than my '05 F50, inside and out. The 7 series is too big for my tastes. Something in the middle, with the cachet of a 7 series, but the handling and performance of a 550 was what I had in mind.