DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Infiniti Q50 officially revealed

Forget the tedious reveal campaign culminating in an official teaser video a week or so ago and the handful of images leaked by its Canadian website over the weekend; Infiniti has finally revealed full official details and images of its brand-new Q50 mid-size sedan.

Due on sale in the US in mid-2013 and in Australia during the fourth quarter of this year, when it will join the recently released G37 Coupe and Convertible, the Q50 is Infiniti’s answer to BMW’s 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and replaces the G sedan (not sold here).

The first model to appear under Infiniti’s new model naming structure will also be a direct rival for the Lexus IS, a redesigned version of which also made its global debut at the Detroit motor show today (January 14).

Infiniti’s new model nomenclature will see the 2014 replacements for the two-door G models rebadged as the Q60 and the next-generation large M sedan renamed the Q70, with a 400kW-plus BMW M5-rivalling version to follow.

Similarly, Infiniti’s SUV and crossover model names will start with QX from next year, with the EX to become the QX50, the JX to be called the QX60, the FX (the only Infiniti SUV available in Australia so far) to be rebadged as the QX70 and the range-topping Nissan Patrol-based QX56 to be relaunched as the QX80.

Infiniti Australia has not confirmed which engines will be available in the Japanese luxury brand’s volume-selling medium sedan here, but in the US the Q50 will be offered with both a 3.7-litre petrol V6 and a version of the 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric drivetrain seen in the current M35d hybrid large sedan.

Infiniti said the two launch engines will be “followed by additional engine options in other global markets later in the year”, but it is not yet clear if – like the M sedan – the Q50 will be available with a diesel engine option.

Power output for the Q50’s alloy 3.7-litre V6 is listed at 328hp (245kW – up from 235kW in the M37), while the Q50 hybrid’s 220kW 3.5-litre V6 combines with a 50kW electric motor to deliver a similar total output to the M35h (268kW).

Both front-mounted rear-wheel drive powertrains are matched with a seven-speed automatic transmission featuring ‘downshift rev matching’ and available with column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters, while all-wheel drive will also be offered with both models.

The Q50 emerges with a striking new exterior design that’s said to produce a drag coefficient of just 0.26Cd and zero aerodynamic lift front and rear. Other new design elements include a ‘double-arch’ grille, a heavily arched roofline, ‘crescent cut’ C-pillar and new door architectures with narrower roll-formed A- and B-pillar sashes to improve ingress/egress.

As revealed in the teaser video, its radical new headlight design features distinctive ‘eyebrows’ formed by LED daytime running lights plus an LED main beam punctuated by a semi-circular parking lamp. At the rear is a ‘double arch’ boot line and LED tail-lights, while heated wing mirrors with LED repeater lamps are also standard. Eight new ‘premium’ paint colours will be offered.

“The Infiniti Q50 reflects the direct influence of the Infiniti concepts known as the ‘Infiniti Trilogy', particularly Essence, while honouring the iconic design dynamics of earlier Infiniti sports sedans,” said Nissan’s Senior Vice-President and Chief Creative Officer, Shiro Nakamura.

“The new Q50's athletic and tightened appearance blends its lower and wider proportions with enhanced interior roominess to stunning effect inside and out.”

Infiniti claims a number of world-first technologies for the Q50, including Direct Adaptive Steering and Active Lane Control, along with “a fully customisable digital environment for linking various driver settings and driving characteristics to i-Key” and the new Infiniti InTouch connectivity system featuring dual touch-screens and an array of advanced functions, features and custom apps.

The Q50 rides on multi-link suspension at both ends and 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, and steering is via a power-assisted vehicle-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion system, although a range of chassis options in the US will include 19-inch rims with 245/40 R19 tyres and larger brake discs with four-piston front callipers. A 13-speaker Studio on Wheels by Bose sound system will also be available.

Along with claimed class-leading boot capacity – augmented by a 60/40-split rear seatback - the Q50 interior comes standard with Active Noise Control, dual-zone climate-control, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, a reversing camera and Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection.

The host of other advanced safety features will also comprise Intelligent Cruise Control with Full Speed Range, predictive Forward Collision Warning, Forward Emergency Braking, Distance Control Assist, Blind Spot Intervention, Back-up Collision Intervention, Lane Departure Prevention, Active Lane Control and tyre pressure monitoring.

Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) with High Beam Assist will be on the options list, along with a sportier grille treatment, power-sliding tinted glass sunroof with sun blind, auto-dimming mirrors, leather trim, heated seats and steering wheel, sports front seats, a range of aluminium and wood trims, aluminium-accented pedals and voice control.

“This exciting new Infiniti Q50 stretches the boundaries of what a sports sedan can be, propelling Infiniti in a bold new direction,” said Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen.

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