The design of the Q50 continues to follow the designs first shown by the 2009 Infiniti Essence concept and the production 2011 Infiniti M. The Q50 is also the first instance of a hybrid model in Infiniti's entry-level model but was later removed for the 2019 model year.
Q50 sedan (2013–2024)
The design was based on Infiniti Essence (crescent-cut C-pillar, deep body section, asymmetrical cabin layout, interior finishes) and Infiniti Etherea (headlights, three-dimensional double-arch grille, interior finishes).[5] The production Q50 design was frozen in June 2011, after being designed by Joel Baek under Shiro Nakamura.
Early US and Canada models include 3.7-liter V6 (333PS), 3.5-liter Hybrid (364 PS), each in a choice of rear-wheel drive or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and in a selection of trim levels, including Sport models.[14][15][16]
Early Canadian models include 3.7-liter V6 (Q50 RWD, Q50 Sport RWD, Q50 Premium AWD, Q50 Premium AWD Navi, Q50 Premium AWD Navi and Deluxe Touring and Tech, Q50 Sport AWD, Q50 Sport AWD Deluxe Touring and Tech) and 3.5-liter Hybrid (Q50 Hybrid Premium RWD, Q50 Hybrid Premium AWD, Q50 Hybrid Sport AWD).[18][19]
The early European models included 2.2d and hybrid.[20][21] Infiniti's 2.0 RWD (211 PS) model was added in 2014.[22]
In China the 2014 Q50 3.7L was sold as an imported vehicle until production in China could begin.[23][24] The 2.0 RWD (211 PS) model and the Q50 Hybrid also joined the line up.[22]
Middle East models was set to go on sale in spring 2014 as 2014 model year vehicles. Early models include 3.7-liter V6 and 3.5-liter Hybrid, both in rear-wheel drive.[25]
Australian models went on sale in February 2014, launching with the 2.2d diesel and 3.5 gasoline hybrid models.[26]
Hong Kong models went on sale as 2014 model year vehicles.[13]
Two specialty versions of the 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedan were produced in association with Gilt City, one designed by Zac Posen and the other designed by Thom Browne, both American fashion designers. The vehicles went on sale on gilt.com December 13, 2013 for $75,000, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The Thom Browne 2014 Infiniti Q50 includes a chrome body finish, red, white and blue stripes from the seats to the floor mats and stitching on the steering wheel. It also features a sterling silver ring encircling the gear-shift handle and a luggage set custom designed to fit in the trunk.
Zac Posen's 2014 Infiniti Q50 includes body color fade from silver in front to charcoal in back, and from matte to shine; red-carpet interior color, shagreen handle and shagreen stick with leather piping.
The vehicles were unveiled in Infiniti of Manhattan dealership at Hell's Kitchen area.
The two buyers also received a $10,000 Gilt.com shopping credit and a style consultation, a Thom Browne Solid Silver Personal Card Case (Browne version) or a Zac Posen Smartphone Clutch (Posen version).[27]
Q50 Hybrid (2014–2018)
Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid
Infiniti's Q50 hybrid vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show.[28] Power for the Q50 Hybrid comes from the 3.5-liter gasoline engine combined with electric motor. Early European models included rear and all-wheel drive forms.[20] Infiniti discontinued the Q50 Hybrid after the 2018 model year.[29]
Q50L (2014–2024)
Infiniti Q50 L
The Q50L has a 48mm (1.9in) longer wheelbase than the regular Q50 to provide more spacious rear legroom. It is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo engine matched to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Trim levels for the Q50L sold in China are Comfort, Elegant, Sport, Luxury, and Sport Luxury.
Named for the famous corner at Spa-Francorchamps, the Eau Rouge is a Formula One inspired concept car based on the Q50 premium sports sedan, with aerodynamic styling treatments and design elements influenced by Infiniti's partnership with Infiniti Red Bull Racing. Changes include bespoke carbon fiber bodywork (carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser and side sill skirts, carbon fiber roof and door mirror casings), 20-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels, a dual-exit exhaust sports system below a large integrated rear spoiler, 20mm wider wheel arches, red body color with overlaid tinted clear coat, matching carbon fiber door and center console panes, a high-grip sports steering wheel with Formula One-style paddle-shifters.
Changes from Q50 Eau Rouge concept included a twin-turbocharged 3,799cc (232cuin) (568PS (418kW; 560hp)/600N⋅m (443lb⋅ft)) V6 from the Nissan GT-R and a 7-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent AWD from the Infiniti Q70.[33] The transmission and drivelines were compromises due to the inability of Infiniti to fit the rest of the GT-R's drivetrain into the prototype.
Plans to put the Eau Rouge into production were shelved in January 2015.[37]
Eau Rouge prototype
Engine
Q50 Sound Studio by Bose (2016)
The Q50 Sound Studio by Bose was a limited edition version for the 2016 model year. It was based on Q50 2.0t and 2.2d (Premium or Sport), and included Advanced Staging Technology digital signal processing circuitry, Centerpoint 2 surround sound, AudioPilot2 Noise Compensation Technology, a navigation system and 14 speakers. This was the first time Bose's Advanced Staging Technology has ever been featured in a car.[38][39]
UK models went on sale in October 2015 as a 2016 model.[40]
On 16 October 2014 it was announced that the Infiniti Q50 would be entering the British Touring Car Championship for the 2015 season under the banner of Support our Paras.[42] At that time, PRO Motorsport announced it would enter two cars in the championship driven by Richard Hawken and Derek Palmer Jr., the son of PRO Motorsport Team Principal Derek Palmer Sr., supporting the charity Support Our Paras through racing, and its long-term goal of developing, training and ensuring an injured Paratrooper graduates through the racing ranks to pilot an Infiniti Support Our Paras Racing car.[43]
Production
Production of Q50 at Tochigi production plant began on 14 May 2013.[44] Production of the Chinese models of Q50L sedan at Xiangyang plant in Hubei Province, China also began in 2014.[11][28][45]
Production of European models of Q50 began in 2015.[28]
The Infiniti Q50 audio system was designed by Bose.[47][48]
The Q50 Eau Rouge production was cancelled due to high cost.[49]
Marketing
As part of the Q50 Eau Rouge Prototype launch, the #InfinitiRaceFace campaign was launched on 23 September 2014, awarding the grand prize winner the opportunity to attend the 2014 Formula One United States Grand Prix race, and also the chance to ride with Sebastian Vettel in the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Prototype for a lap in downtown Austin on 29 October 2014.[50]
2016 model year update
2019 Infiniti Q50 3.0t Luxe
Unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show (Q50 2.0t, Q50 3.0t, Q50 Red Sport 400), the 2016 Q50 featured several updates, including the introduction of second-generation Direct Adaptive Steering with advanced levels of steering feel and feedback, introduction of Dynamic Digital Suspension, Drive Mode Selector with Personal mode, standard RACK Electronic Power Steering on 3.0t models, revised suspension settings provide an improved balance between confident handling and a more comfortable ride.[51][52]
The Q50 Red Sport 400 is based on Q50 3.0t (405PS), with sport styled front fascia, sport brakes with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear calipers, sport-tuned Digital Dynamic Suspension, new rack-based Electronic Power Steering or optional Direct Adaptive Steering, leather-appointed sport seats, aluminum-accented pedals, solid magnesium paddle shifters, Exclusive Red Sport 400 brushed-finish exhaust tips, Exclusive Red Sport 400 19-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels (staggered for RWD models), chrome finished red 'S' exterior sport badging on the trunk and front fenders.
Early models included 2.0t, 2.0t AWD, Hybrid, Hybrid AWD, 3.0t (304/405PS, 304PS models available in Middle East), Hybrid, and 2.2d.[53][54] US models of Q50 Red Sport 400 went on sale as 2016 model year vehicles, including Q50 Red Sport 400, Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD.[55] In 2019, Infiniti was testing some of its current models at the Spaceport America desert test tracks, such as its Q50 sports sedan and Q60 sports coupe.[56]
Discontinuation
In August 2024, Infiniti announced the cancellation of the Q50 in their North American lineup, with 2024 confirmed to be its final model year for U.S and Canada, after eleven years on sale due to slow sales.[57] The cancellation of the Q50 leads to Infiniti to become a brand selling only SUVs.[58]
Infiniti is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation. The brand began on November 8, 1989, initially in North America. The marketing network for Infiniti vehicles included dealers in over 50 countries in the 2010s. As of 2020, there were 25 markets served by new car dealers, primarily North America, China, Taiwan, and the Middle East.
The Nissan Maxima was a five-passenger, front-engine, front-drive sedan manufactured and marketed by Nissan as Nissan's flagship sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, South Korea, and China — across eight generations. The Maxima debuted for model year 1982 as the Datsun Maxima, replacing the Datsun 810.
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The Infiniti M is a line of mid-size luxury (executive) cars from the Infiniti luxury division of Nissan. From 2013 on it has been marketed as the Infiniti Q70, reflecting the company's new naming scheme.
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The Nissan Cima is a luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by Nissan across five generations for the Japanese market — and for three generations as the Infiniti Q45 internationally.
The Infiniti QX70, formerly called the Infiniti FX until 2013, is a compact luxury crossover SUV produced by the Nissan-owned Infiniti luxury vehicle brand between 2002 and 2019. The FX replaced the QX4 as Infiniti's mid-size SUV. It shares the same FM platform as the rear-wheel drive Nissan 370Z, and it "made no claims of climbing mountains." Rather, its aggressive shape promised style and quick handling. The similarly sized Nissan Murano is based on the same D platform as the front-wheel drive Nissan Altima. The FX does not have a Nissan-branded equivalent and is not sold in Japan.
The Infiniti G Line is a series of compact executive cars manufactured and marketed by Infiniti, a luxury division of Nissan, for the 1991–1996 and 1999–2016 model years — across four generations.
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The Los Angeles Auto Show, also known as the LA Auto Show, is an auto show held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, United States. It is open to the public for ten days, filling 760,000 square feet (71,000 m2) of exhibit space. Since 2006 the event is held in November or December.
The Infiniti QX50, marketed also until 2013 as the Infiniti EX and Nissan Skyline Crossover, is a front- or all-wheel drive, five passenger, five-door compact luxury crossover SUV, manufactured and marketed by Infiniti, Nissan's luxury division over three generations: one generation as the EX followed by two QX50 generations.
Nissan North America, Inc., doing business as Nissan USA, is the North American headquarters, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Nissan Motor Corporation of Japan. The company manufactures and sells Nissan and Infiniti brand cars, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks through a network of approximately 1,082 Nissan and 211 Infiniti dealers in the United States, including 187 independent Nissan dealerships, 38 Infiniti retailers and 45 Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers in Canada. The Tennessee location is Nissan's second headquarter office after leaving Gardena, California, in 2005, having occupied the location for nearly 50 years.
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The Infiniti QX60, called the Infiniti JX until the 2014 model year, is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Infiniti, the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Nissan. It is underpinned by an elongated Nissan Murano platform also used by the Nissan Pathfinder.
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