Infiniti: Q50 News
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The verdict of folks at TTAC? Meh.
2018 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 First Drive Review – All About the Power, but at What Price?
2024 Honda Civic Type R
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From: Chicago, IL
I can't believe the reviewer complained about the noise of the summer performance tires (looks like a Bridgestone model) and said that they hope the manufacturer's choice in all-season run-flats would be better in that regard. That is crazy! We all know run-flats are garbage. My Michelin Pilot Super Sports are not loud at all and have little to no NVH. They were always better in that regard than my winter tires. I was surprised to read this.
Overall though, that is a lot of money for the car. And I've never driven an Infiniti with DAS so I am very curious if the steering feel really is that numb.
Overall though, that is a lot of money for the car. And I've never driven an Infiniti with DAS so I am very curious if the steering feel really is that numb.
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I can't believe the reviewer complained about the noise of the summer performance tires (looks like a Bridgestone model) and said that they hope the manufacturer's choice in all-season run-flats would be better in that regard. That is crazy! We all know run-flats are garbage. My Michelin Pilot Super Sports are not loud at all and have little to no NVH. They were always better in that regard than my winter tires. I was surprised to read this.
Overall though, that is a lot of money for the car. And I've never driven an Infiniti with DAS so I am very curious if the steering feel really is that numb.
Overall though, that is a lot of money for the car. And I've never driven an Infiniti with DAS so I am very curious if the steering feel really is that numb.
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From: DMV
Race Director
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From: DMV
You'll Never Walk Alone
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From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
haha yeaa, what I don't remember is, whether you must get DAS if you want some other features....if so, then that really sucks...hahaha...Infiniti has been finetuning the DAS but they are still not quite there yet...
Burning Brakes
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From: Where the Sopranos and Saguaros are
DAS is a great option. I love it in my 2017 Q50 as its very customizable. One will never get drive by wire to feel like a 535(540) or 335(340). but then again that's a good thing, because there are a bunch of tricks that come along with drive by wire that a conventionally equipped car can't do. At any rate the red sport at $52,000 has thrown down the gauntlet.
When I test drove the Q50 Red Sport, it had plenty of power, but IMO it wasn't nearly as fun and sporty to drive as the C43. But it is a beautiful car, especially the blue color I drove.
You'll Never Walk Alone
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From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
That seems to be general consensus from reviewers of the Q50. It's got great power and it's fast. But it's not quite up there in many areas compared to others in its class.
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From: Spring, TX
https://autoweek.com/article/car-rev...game-incarnate
What is it: The 2018 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 is the company’s BMW M fighter. With a 400-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, aggressive styling and posh interior, the Q50 checks all the boxes for a luxury performance sedan.
Key Competitors: Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD, BMW M3, Audi S4
Base Price: $53,995 As-Tested Price: $61,710
Highlights: For 2018, the Q50 lineup offers four powertrains: this 400-hp Red Sport, a 300-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, a 208-hp 2.0-liter turbo I4 and a 360-hp V6 gasoline-electric hybrid. It’s available in rear-wheel- and all-wheel-drive models, and each trim gets slightly different styling inside and out.
Our Opinion: The more I drive these Red Sport Infiniti sedans and coupes, the more I’m divided. On one hand, this all-wheel-drive Q50 Red Sport absolutely scoots -- it lays down 400 hp without so much as chirping a tire. You plant your foot, and the car just goes. On the downside -- the steering.
The first time I drove a Q50 Red Sport, it was a rear-wheel-drive variant with the adaptive steering option. I didn’t think it was great, but good enough for cruising around town and doing burnouts at stop lights. After more seat time, the steering just makes me more frustrated. It’s as numb as they come. The rest of the car is a shining star in the company’s lineup. It looks cool, it’s quick and it's plush on the inside. Hell, even the exhaust note from the turbocharged engine is enjoyable.
Power delivery is smooth and linear. The 3.0-liter V6 hums along peacefully at interstate speeds but will make some noise when you put your foot into it. The all-wheel-drive system takes some of the charm away from the Red Sport, with the rear-drive variant’s willingness to turn tires into smoke, but it is much more behaved during an average commute and will be welcome come winter.
Inside there are soft-touch materials everywhere and a dual-screen infotainment system. Those screens can wash out if the sun hits them at the right angle, but otherwise they work harmoniously to keep you informed with your music selections and GPS directions. The two-screen system is also how you manage the car’s driving modes.
But again, that steering: If you liked the sensation from your old Logitech racing wheel when you played endless hours of "Gran Turismo" you’ll have no problem with the Infiniti’s steering system. Otherwise, the adaptive steering option should be a box left unchecked on either of the Red Sports. It ruins an otherwise impressive car.
Options: proactive package - intelligent cruise control, direct adaptive steering, lane departure prevention with active lane control, distance control assist, adaptive front lighting system with auto leveling headlights, high beam assist, front pre-crash seat belts, eco pedal ($2,700), sensory package (sport) Bose 16-speaker surround sound, power tilt & telescopic steering column, dual-occupant memory driver seat steering column and outside mirrors, advanced climate control system, enhanced interior ambient lighting, auto-dimming outside mirrors ($2,650), carbon fiber package - decklid spoiler, exterior mirror covers ($1,500), illuminated kick plates ($465), radiant grille emblem ($400)BASE PRICE: $53,995
AS TESTED PRICE: $61,710
POWERTRAIN: 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, AWD seven-speed automatic
OUTPUT: 400 hp @ 6,400 rpm 350 lb-ft @ 1,600-5,200 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 3,993 lb
FUEL ECONOMY: 19/26/22 mpg
(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)
PROS: Obscenely fast and fun
CONS: The steering feel is completely absent
Key Competitors: Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD, BMW M3, Audi S4
Base Price: $53,995 As-Tested Price: $61,710
Highlights: For 2018, the Q50 lineup offers four powertrains: this 400-hp Red Sport, a 300-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, a 208-hp 2.0-liter turbo I4 and a 360-hp V6 gasoline-electric hybrid. It’s available in rear-wheel- and all-wheel-drive models, and each trim gets slightly different styling inside and out.
Our Opinion: The more I drive these Red Sport Infiniti sedans and coupes, the more I’m divided. On one hand, this all-wheel-drive Q50 Red Sport absolutely scoots -- it lays down 400 hp without so much as chirping a tire. You plant your foot, and the car just goes. On the downside -- the steering.
The first time I drove a Q50 Red Sport, it was a rear-wheel-drive variant with the adaptive steering option. I didn’t think it was great, but good enough for cruising around town and doing burnouts at stop lights. After more seat time, the steering just makes me more frustrated. It’s as numb as they come. The rest of the car is a shining star in the company’s lineup. It looks cool, it’s quick and it's plush on the inside. Hell, even the exhaust note from the turbocharged engine is enjoyable.
Power delivery is smooth and linear. The 3.0-liter V6 hums along peacefully at interstate speeds but will make some noise when you put your foot into it. The all-wheel-drive system takes some of the charm away from the Red Sport, with the rear-drive variant’s willingness to turn tires into smoke, but it is much more behaved during an average commute and will be welcome come winter.
Inside there are soft-touch materials everywhere and a dual-screen infotainment system. Those screens can wash out if the sun hits them at the right angle, but otherwise they work harmoniously to keep you informed with your music selections and GPS directions. The two-screen system is also how you manage the car’s driving modes.
But again, that steering: If you liked the sensation from your old Logitech racing wheel when you played endless hours of "Gran Turismo" you’ll have no problem with the Infiniti’s steering system. Otherwise, the adaptive steering option should be a box left unchecked on either of the Red Sports. It ruins an otherwise impressive car.
Options: proactive package - intelligent cruise control, direct adaptive steering, lane departure prevention with active lane control, distance control assist, adaptive front lighting system with auto leveling headlights, high beam assist, front pre-crash seat belts, eco pedal ($2,700), sensory package (sport) Bose 16-speaker surround sound, power tilt & telescopic steering column, dual-occupant memory driver seat steering column and outside mirrors, advanced climate control system, enhanced interior ambient lighting, auto-dimming outside mirrors ($2,650), carbon fiber package - decklid spoiler, exterior mirror covers ($1,500), illuminated kick plates ($465), radiant grille emblem ($400)BASE PRICE: $53,995
AS TESTED PRICE: $61,710
POWERTRAIN: 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, AWD seven-speed automatic
OUTPUT: 400 hp @ 6,400 rpm 350 lb-ft @ 1,600-5,200 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 3,993 lb
FUEL ECONOMY: 19/26/22 mpg
(EPA City/Hwy/Combined)
PROS: Obscenely fast and fun
CONS: The steering feel is completely absent
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Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
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From: Waffles, BU
It's not? I rented a Q50 3.0T
I thought it felt and looked cheap inside minus the seats, but I thought it drove well enough and was peppy enough.
This coming from a V
I thought it felt and looked cheap inside minus the seats, but I thought it drove well enough and was peppy enough.
This coming from a V
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Los Angeles
Well i had 2 G35 and 1 G37, to be honest, while the 400 is significantly faster in a straight than the G37 obviously, other than that, it felt like the same car.
Like a faster version of G37 with a much much worse steering feel. Not a bad car, but Infiniti needs to do some major update on its interior and exterior.
Q60 has almost lost all of its appeal that it earned from G35C and G37C...I think all of these started with the stupid name change. It has lost something along the way.
Like a faster version of G37 with a much much worse steering feel. Not a bad car, but Infiniti needs to do some major update on its interior and exterior.
Q60 has almost lost all of its appeal that it earned from G35C and G37C...I think all of these started with the stupid name change. It has lost something along the way.
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From: Spring, TX
https://www.motor1.com/news/355437/2...i-q50-v6-only/
If the order guide for the 2020 Infiniti Q50 is correct, then potential customers will have one less engine choice going forward. According to Cars Direct, the absence of the Q50’s entry-level turbocharged 2.0-liter engine on the order guide likely means the Japanese luxury brand will offer just two engine choices for 2020.
Customers wanting the sedan will have to settle for either the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine making 300 horsepower (223 kilowatts) or the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 400 hp (298 kW) in the Q50 Red Sport. According to the publication, Infiniti would neither confirm nor deny the powertrain change. The absence of the smaller entry-level mill means customers will pay much more than before to own a Q50. The Q50 with the turbo 3.0-liter starts at $49,045 – that’s over $12,000 more than the current 2.0-liter turbo version.
When Infiniti introduced the Q50 in 2014, the company had hopes of targeting the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi and their luxury sedans. However, the landscape has changed a lot since then with Q50 sales unable to circumvent the sedan death slide. Infiniti’s QX60 and QX80 crossovers are now the brand’s best-selling vehicles.
Another reason for the discontinuation could be the closeness to the QX50 crossover in price. The Q50 sedan with the 2.0-liter mill is $1,000 less than the crossover variant, which sports a new variable compression version 2.0-liter engine making more power—268 hp (199 kW) compared to 208 hp (155 kW). Removing the turbo 2.0-liter engine could be a way for the company to get customers into the crossover while opening up a slot below the Q50 sedan for a potential new product.
Simplifying sedan offerings appears to be a new trend among luxury automakers. Cadillac eliminated trims and engines from the CT6 in 2020, even as it faces an uncertain future. Overall, sedan sales are falling as consumers flock to crossovers, trucks, and SUVs. Automakers simplifying their sedan portfolio could be one avenue to cut costs while still meeting customer demand.
Customers wanting the sedan will have to settle for either the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine making 300 horsepower (223 kilowatts) or the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 400 hp (298 kW) in the Q50 Red Sport. According to the publication, Infiniti would neither confirm nor deny the powertrain change. The absence of the smaller entry-level mill means customers will pay much more than before to own a Q50. The Q50 with the turbo 3.0-liter starts at $49,045 – that’s over $12,000 more than the current 2.0-liter turbo version.
When Infiniti introduced the Q50 in 2014, the company had hopes of targeting the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi and their luxury sedans. However, the landscape has changed a lot since then with Q50 sales unable to circumvent the sedan death slide. Infiniti’s QX60 and QX80 crossovers are now the brand’s best-selling vehicles.
Another reason for the discontinuation could be the closeness to the QX50 crossover in price. The Q50 sedan with the 2.0-liter mill is $1,000 less than the crossover variant, which sports a new variable compression version 2.0-liter engine making more power—268 hp (199 kW) compared to 208 hp (155 kW). Removing the turbo 2.0-liter engine could be a way for the company to get customers into the crossover while opening up a slot below the Q50 sedan for a potential new product.
Simplifying sedan offerings appears to be a new trend among luxury automakers. Cadillac eliminated trims and engines from the CT6 in 2020, even as it faces an uncertain future. Overall, sedan sales are falling as consumers flock to crossovers, trucks, and SUVs. Automakers simplifying their sedan portfolio could be one avenue to cut costs while still meeting customer demand.
Team Owner
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From: Los Angeles
That is very interesting... while everyone is busy adding 2.0T to their line up or squeezing more hp out of their existing 2.0T... Infiniti decided to remove the 2.0T and only left with the V6.... interesting...
Currently Post-Acura
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From: Bergen County, NJ
Pretty sure it's because of the rumored breakup between Renault-Nissan and Daimler. Since that engine is the 2.0 out of the CLA250, there wouldn't be any supply of them. I think the QX30 is on the chopping block, too, since its a GLA250 underneath the bodywork. Since the VC-T from the QX50 is transverse with a CVT, they probably haven't engineered it for the longitudinal setup with the 7AT in the Q50/Q60.
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Pretty sure it's because of the rumored breakup between Renault-Nissan and Daimler. Since that engine is the 2.0 out of the CLA250, there wouldn't be any supply of them. I think the QX30 is on the chopping block, too, since its a GLA250 underneath the bodywork. Since the VC-T from the QX50 is transverse with a CVT, they probably haven't engineered it for the longitudinal setup with the 7AT in the Q50/Q60.
That said, the top trim Altima should fit the slot vacated by the Q50 2.0T.
Currently Post-Acura
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From: Bergen County, NJ
Except in markets where people just want a certain badge on the grille and trunk and don't care about how good/bad the actual car is. Believe me, I can't count how many Q50a's I drove into NYC to deliver when I worked at a dealership.
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This area is ripe full of Q50s, my son being the owner of one. That said, very few here are 2.0T models and that badge doesn’t have that much pull. Much of the Q50 following in this area was the natural migration of many from the Altima V6/Maxima — which disappointingly went CVT back in the mid/late 2000s— to the G35/G37, to the Q50, especially in Queens which has been a Maxima haven since the late 80s.
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The Infiniti Q50 is no more. The brand's final sedan has officially been discontinued for 2025 after more than a decade on sale.
An Infiniti spokesperson confirmed the news of the Q50's demise to The Autopian on Tuesday, saying 2024 was the car's final model year. The absence of the Q50 for 2025 means Infiniti has just four vehicles in its lineup, all crossovers or SUVs.
Revealed at the North American International Auto Show, the Q50 first went on sale in 2013 for the 2014 model year, replacing the G37 sedan. It made waves thanks to its controversial steer-by-wire system, which was met with mostly negative reviews.
Constant revisions to the system over years of tinkering from the manufacturer and the addition of a performance-oriented, 400-horsepower Red Sport 400 trim improved things, but the Q50 could never capture the same market share as something like the BMW 3 Series, selling just under 47,000 units in its most popular year on sale.
An Infiniti spokesperson sent the following statement to Motor1 when reached for comment on the Q50's demise.
"Acting on our commitment to transform our vehicle line with four new products beginning with the all-new 2025 QX80, the INFINITI Q50 sedan will not be available in the United States and Canada after the 2024 model year.
The Q50 has an incredible fan base as a formidable sports sedan, while remaining one of our most popular vehicles since its introduction in 2013. The Q50’s spirit will certainly live on in our first EV, a sports sedan previewed by the Vision Qe concept which made its debut last October."
The Q50's discontinuation comes just two years following the death of its two-door coupe sibling, the Q60. Killed off in 2022, the Q60 offered similar looks and powertrain options, in a sleeker, sportier package. It exited North America so that Infiniti could "focus on the most popular luxury automotive segments such as crossovers and SUVs," according to the brand.
Considering its 2025 lineup, that sentiment clearly hasn't changed. Rest in peace Q50, we'll miss you dearly.
An Infiniti spokesperson confirmed the news of the Q50's demise to The Autopian on Tuesday, saying 2024 was the car's final model year. The absence of the Q50 for 2025 means Infiniti has just four vehicles in its lineup, all crossovers or SUVs.
Revealed at the North American International Auto Show, the Q50 first went on sale in 2013 for the 2014 model year, replacing the G37 sedan. It made waves thanks to its controversial steer-by-wire system, which was met with mostly negative reviews.
Constant revisions to the system over years of tinkering from the manufacturer and the addition of a performance-oriented, 400-horsepower Red Sport 400 trim improved things, but the Q50 could never capture the same market share as something like the BMW 3 Series, selling just under 47,000 units in its most popular year on sale.
An Infiniti spokesperson sent the following statement to Motor1 when reached for comment on the Q50's demise.
"Acting on our commitment to transform our vehicle line with four new products beginning with the all-new 2025 QX80, the INFINITI Q50 sedan will not be available in the United States and Canada after the 2024 model year.
The Q50 has an incredible fan base as a formidable sports sedan, while remaining one of our most popular vehicles since its introduction in 2013. The Q50’s spirit will certainly live on in our first EV, a sports sedan previewed by the Vision Qe concept which made its debut last October."
The Q50's discontinuation comes just two years following the death of its two-door coupe sibling, the Q60. Killed off in 2022, the Q60 offered similar looks and powertrain options, in a sleeker, sportier package. It exited North America so that Infiniti could "focus on the most popular luxury automotive segments such as crossovers and SUVs," according to the brand.
Considering its 2025 lineup, that sentiment clearly hasn't changed. Rest in peace Q50, we'll miss you dearly.
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Thanks to dipshits stealing / using/ destroying them for street takeovers, I guess they'll become more and more rare over time, thus making them even more desirable and valuable?
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Feb 22, 2008 01:09 AM
