Infiniti Q50 2014 News

Infiniti adds price-leading 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol variants to Australian Q50 lineup.Just eight months after the Infiniti Q50 first arrived in Australia, the Japanese luxury brand has introduced new 2.0-litre petrol price-leading versions of the mid-size sedan.Available in the same GT, S, and S Premium trim levels as the existing turbodiesel and hybrid Q50 variants, the new Q50 2.0-litre models undercut the existing turbodiesel models by $1000 across all grades, resulting in a new Q50 entry price of $50,900 for the GT 2.0t.Each trim level offers the same rage of entertainment, safety and design features available with the 2.2d and Hybrid models.Infiniti expects the new 2.0t to make up around 60 per cent of Q50 sales, following current segment trends that also see 30 percent of buyers opting for turbodiesel, and 10 per cent buying hybrid variants.  The new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is sourced from Mercedes-Benz, where it recently made its debut under the bonnet of C200 and C250 versions of the new W205 C-Class.In Infiniti guise, the 2.0t produces 155kW and 350Nm, which is slightly more power and slightly less torque than the 125kW/400Nm 2.2d turbodiesel and significantly less than the 268kW/546Nm Q50 Hybrid.As with the current Q50 models, the new model comes with an automatic transmission. The Q50 2.0t shares the same seven-speed torque converter transmission as the 2.2d turbodiesel, which puts the power out through the rear wheels. The Hybrid is available with a dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.In terms of fuel economy, the new Q50 2.0t’s 7.3L/100km combined figure is the most thirsty of the Q50s. However, the 2.0t is only marginally behind the 6.8L/100km Q50 Hybrid in rear wheel drive S trim (7.2L/100km AWD), with the 5.2L/100km 2.2d turbodiesel maintaining top honours.

Previously shown at the Detroit Auto Show as a design study, the high performance concept will appear again at Geneva, sporting an aggressive powertrain.The Japanese prestige brand previously indicated that this high performance engine uses forced induction with its cylinders set in a 'V' formation. It has also said that this is a 'big personality' engine.Now we can objectively agree with Infiniti on the whole 'big personality' claim because the company has released a teaser video giving us our first listen to the car. With wastegates 'whistling' and turbochargers 'whooshing' throughout the video, this engine, which is likely a V6, certainly sounds angry.Specific details on the power plant remain a mystery, but Infiniti boss Johan de Nysschen believes power should be in the realm of 370kW and 810Nm of torque for this sort of car. What's more, anyone who has listened to a Nissan GT-R will likely hear similarities between its exhaust note and the new Infiniti's.Whether the GT-R team would give up the 3.8-litre twin turbo unit that they've developed almost obsessively over the past few years is, however, unknown. We'll learn more details when the Eau Rouge concept appears at the Geneva Motor Show next month.Watch the Inifiti Q50 Eau Rouge engine teased video on our desktop site. 

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Infiniti says the Q50 is the real start to Infiniti's success in Australia. The three-tier, two engine range kicks off at $51,900, for the 2.2 diesel-only GT, a very handy $8400 cheaper than its most obvious competitor, the BMW 318d. It's also cheaper than the A4 and C Class.The diesel S can be had for $57,900 and the S Premium for $61,900. The S Hybrid is $67,900 and the range tops out at $73,900 for the hybrid AWD-only S Premium. The GT base model bursts out of the blocks with an impressive array of standard features, but we've only space for the highlights.Every Q50 has the dual stacked screens of Infiniti InTouch system which handles most of the car's functions. The top screen is for navigation and you can leave the maps on even when you - or your passenger - are fiddling with the other functions. The standard list features DAB digital radio, sat-nav, electric driver's seat, leather upholstery, Moving on to the S spec level adds the Direct Adaptive Steering, sport front bumper and Bose stereo. The range-topping S Premium, available with both engines, adds a safety package with backup collision warning, active headlights, blind spot and lane drift warning and active cruise control.Standard across the range are six airbags, brake assist, brake force distribution, active cruise control, front and rear sensors with rear-facing camera. S Premium adds a suite of safety features including predictive collision forward warning, active lane control, blind spot intervention, forward emergency braking and moving object detection.The diesel 2.2d is from Mercedes-Benz and produces 125kW/400Nm for 5.2l/100km. The hybrid 3.5l V6 is good for 268kW and 546Nm while returning 6.8l/100km (RWD) or 7.2l/100km (AWD). While still a seven-speed transmission, the electric engine sits between two clutches to allow for electric only running. Both have paddle-shifts and downshift rev-matching. Steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) is standard on all models bar the GT.2014 Infiniti Q50 pricesInfiniti Q50 GT $51,900 ($56,809 drive-away, $55,900 drive-away launch offer).Infiniti Q50 S $57,900 ($64,197 drive-away)Infiniti Q50 S Premium $61,900 ($68,397 drive-away)Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid $67,900 ($74,597 drive-away)Infiniti Q50 S Premium Hybrid AWD $73,900 ($81,787 drive-away)

Hot on the heels of Infiniti announcing a $51,900 entry yesterday for the new Q50 in Australia -- and tossing a price challenge at the Merc C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Lexus IS -- the brand has unveiled the car's halo concept at Detroit motor show.Inspired by the Red Bull Racing RB9 Formula One car -- and named for the famed corner of Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps track -- the Eau Rouge comes with the promise of a high-performance engine if it heads for production, with Infiniti boss Johan de Nysschen saying it could see outputs of more than 373kW and 813Nm."If we built this car I would expect it to feature over (those figures)," de Nysschen says in the accompanying press statement. "Through our various alliance partners we have access to a range of engines featuring this performance capability which, with a fair amount of engineering effort, can be developed to exhibit Infiniti character and accommodated within the Q50 engine bay."The engine we are evaluating for the Q50 Eau Rouge is a big personality, V-cylinder engine with forced induction. I think our engineers have been waiting for a project like this."The Eau Rouge is slung low and wide on light 21-inch forged wheels, with weight-saving strategies including liberal use of carbon-fibre for the panels, roof, bodykit and mirror housings. Race-bred cues include 

Infiniti has announced price and specifications for the new Q50 mid-size luxury sedan, ahead of its February arrival in local showrooms.The Q50 will be the first Infiniti to wear the Japanese luxury brand’s ‘Q’ naming strategy, with sedan models soon to wear a Q-prefix, and SUV models to be badged ‘QX’.Starting beneath the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Lexus IS, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class with a $51,900 list price, the new model will arrive with three trim levels, a choice of diesel or petrol-electric hybrid drivetrains and rear or all-wheel drive.The $51,900 entry Q50 GT will be available with introductory drive away pricing of $55,900 until April 30, and come equipped with a Mercedes-Benz-derived 125kW/400Nm 2.2d-badged 2143cc turbodiesel engine and driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.The 2.2d drivetrain will also be available in $57,900 S-grade, with the $61,900 S Premium rounding off the diesel lineup.The hybrid range will kick off with the $67,900 S Hybrid, and an all-wheel drive S Premium AWD Hybrid to top the Q50 range at $73,900.Hybrid models will come with a 268kW/546Nm petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain related to that found in the bigger Infiniti M35h sedan. This means a 3.5-litre petrol V6 paired with a 50kW electric motor, lithium-ion battery system and seven speed automatic transmission. Infiniti claims the rear-drive Q50 S Hybrid is capable of a very impressive 5.1 second 0-100km/h sprint.Fuel consumption is an official 5.2L/100km combined for 2.2d models, with the rear-wheel drive Hybrid models recording 6.8L/100km, and the heavier Hybrid all-wheel drive at 7.2L/100km.The entry Q50 GT 2.2d will come equipped with leather trim and electric front seats, climate control, LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights, dual touchscreen display in-car navigation system with traffic updates, digital radio and Bluetooth audio and telephone, noise-cancelling audio, proximity keys, four-mode Infiniti drive select and 17 inch alloys.Q50 S models add a more aggressive front bumper design, electric panoramic sunroof, 14 speaker Bose audio, magnesium paddle shifters, steer-by-wire Direct-Adaptive Steering with Active Lane Control, 18 inch alloys for the S 2.2d, and 19 inch alloys and sport-tuned suspension for the S Hybrid.The top-grade S Premium models add adaptive cruise, forward collision avoidance, forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, blind-spot warning and intervention, back-up collision intervention, around-view monitor with moving object detection, active front lighting with high beam assist, and both versions come with 19 inch alloys.Infiniti Q50 Pricing:Infiniti Q50 GT 2.2d - $51,900 ($55,900 drive away until April 30)Infiniti Q50 S 2.2d - $57,900 (MSRP)Infiniti Q50 S Premium 2.2d - $61,900 (MSRP)Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid - $67,900(MSRP)Infiniti Q50 S Premium AWD Hybrid - $73,900 (MSRP) 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSMini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family. The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)Lexus CT 200h: Lexus will complete the spindle grill-ification of its Australian lineup when it launches the mid-cycle refresh of the CT 200h hybrid hatch before July. Along with the stylistic alignment with the rest of the range, the new CT will feature revised suspension tuning and interior trim, with the possibility of sharpened pricing in the pursuit of sales volume. (Approximately $40,000-$58,000)Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Subaru Impreza WRX: Underwhelming or otherwise, Subaru’s new WRX performance sedan is due in late March, ahead of a hotter-again STI version by mid-year. (Approximately $40,000)Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance: The upgraded Golf GTI Performance pack will complete the GTI lineup during 2014, with an extra 7kW, bigger brakes, tricky diff, plus xenon headlights, LED taillights, 19 inch wheels, and alcantara added to the tartan cloth interior trim. (Approximately $47,990)Volkswagen Golf R: The all-wheel drive Golf R performance flagship is also expected in 2014, with 206kW and 380Nm promising performance to trump all before it. (Approximately $50,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. Approximately 37,000-56,000Infiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Skoda Octavia RS: The Czech brand will launch the hot Octavia RS in the second quarter, with the petrol version matching the new Volkswagen Golf GTI mechanically, and the diesel version is expected to continue with the same spec as the Golf GTD available overseas. (Approximately from $40,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)PEOPLE MOVERSHonda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDBMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will also score similar SYNC-inclusive revisions at around the same time, ahead of the same 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Isuzu MU-X: Isuzu will introduce the seven-seat MU-X in January, with the company’s first SUV sharing much of its design with the D-Max ute and Holden Colorado and Colorado 7 models. The MU-X will be equipped with the same 3.0-litre diesel engine as the D-Max, and offer family 4WD toughness for a lot less than Toyota’s Prado. (Approximately $40,500-$53,500)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Mercedes-Benz GLA: Mercedes will bring the new A-Class-based GLA SUV to our shores in May, with the all-new model taking the fight to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in the premium compact SUV segment. Priced from about $45,000, the GLA will be available in front or 4MATIC all-wheel drive and engines from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre GLA200 and 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre GLA250 petrols, and 100kW/300Nm 2.2-litre GLA200 CDI and 125kW/350Nm 2.2-litre GLA220 CDI turbodiesel options. (Approximately from $45,000)Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Mitsubishi will introduce its first hybrid model in April, in the form of the plug-in hybrid Outlander SUV. Priced from about $50,000, the Outlander PHEV promises Holden Volt-rivalling efficiency for about $10,000 less, and wrapped within a more practical SUV body. (Approximately from $50,000)Nissan Pathfinder hybrid: Nissan will complete its new Pathfinder SUV lineup in the second quarter, with the addition of a new petrol-electric hybrid variant to help silence the naysayers lamenting the lack of a diesel option in the new model. The 187kW/329Nm hybrid drivetrain uses a 15kW electric motor paired with a supercharged 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol engine, resulting in a claimed 25 per cent fuel efficiency gain. (Approximately $55,000-$60,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Skoda Octavia Scout: The Octavia RS will be followed by the jacked-up Scout AWD variant in about mid-year. (Approximately $40,000-$45,000)Toyota Kluger: Toyota will introduce the third-generation of its Kluger large SUV in the first quarter, with the all-new larger model promising improved seating for seven and fresh styling, but its continued reliance on a petrol V6 might threaten its sales success next to the diesel and hybrid options offered by most rivals. (Approximately $40,000-$60,000)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000) 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSBMW i3: BMW will bring the high tech i3 city car down under from September, with the pure-electric i3 BEV expected to start at about $60,000, and a range-extended i3 REX version with a 647cc petrol generator further up the price scale. (Approximately $60,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)FAMILY CARSInfiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Mercedes' new C-Class sedan and wagon are due around mid-year, with a range of new engines and an 80mm wheelbase stretch to help combat the also enlarged BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS rivals. Drivetrain availability from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre C180 and 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre C200 petrols, and the 125kW/400Nm 2.1-litre turbodiesel C220. A smaller diesel, diesel-electric hybrid and more powerful petrol engines will come later. (Approximately from $60,000)Tesla Model S: The long-awaited Tesla Model S pure-electric passenger car is due to arrive locally in the second quarter, with the five door hatch balancing style, performance, and all-electric tech in equal measures. (Approximately $80,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)LUXURY CARSLexus RC: Lexus’ new RC coupe should arrive before the end of 2014 to take on the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, with a choice of petrol V6 and hybrid drivetrains likely to expand to include a high-performance 5.0-litre V8 RC-F soon after. (Approximately $70,000-$130,000)SUV/4WDAudi RS Q3: The company’s first RS-badged SUV will arrive in February, with the RS Q3 borrowing its 228kW/420Nm five-cylinder heart from the TTRS, and promising 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds. (Approximately $81,900)BMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)BMW X5 sDrive 25d: BMW will add the first two-wheel drive X5 to the new 2014 lineup early in the year, with a price-leading $82,900 2.0-litre turbodiesel sDrive 25d undercutting the existing all-wheel drive xDrive 25d by $5000. (Approximately $82,900)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will score SYNC-inclusive revisions by the end of the year, ahead of its 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Porsche Macan: Porsche will add the new sub-Cayenne Macan SUV to its Australian lineup from June, with the cheapest diesel model forming a new entry point to Porsche ownership at $84,900. Twin-turbo 3.0 and 3.6-litre V6s will sit further up the price scale, with the 294kW top-spec capable of 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. (Approximately $84,900-$122,900)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)SPORTS/PERFORMANCEAlfa Romeo 4C: Alfa will bring a limited number of its limited-build 4C sports car to Australia in around June, with the mid-engined, carbon-chassised performance hero expected to lob for as little as $75,000.Peugeot RCZ-R: Building on the brand’s reignited performance cred thanks to the excellent 208 GTi, the French brand will also add the hot RCZ-R to the lineup in the second quarter, with a highly tuned 199kW version of the existing petrol version’s 1.6-litre turbo. (Approximately $70,000)CONVERTIBLESBMW 4 Series convertible: The folding hardtop version of BMW’s 4-Series coupe is expected by March, and echo its hardtop sibling with 420d, 428i, and 435i drivetrains. (Approximately $85,000-$120,000)  

Infiniti will unwrap the Q50 Eau Rouge at Detroit motor show, but in the lead-up are trickling out images and details of the F1-inspired car -- based on the production Q50 mid-size sedan that will arrive here early this year -- but with only the roof and door profiles remaining from the donor in Eau Rouge form.The designers tapped the Red Bull racing team for the Eau Rouge, which is bristling with carbon fibre panels on a resultantly lighter body, widened and slung lower on massive -- but also light -- 21-inch wheels.The track-bred wardrobe influences include a carbon-fibre front splitter, side skirts, mirror caps and rear diffuser and spoiler, with Infiniti executive design director Alfonso Albaisa saying the focus was on aerodynamics and performance.“From our shared passion for performance with Infiniti Red Bull Racing grew a collective desire to produce a vision of what a high-performance Infiniti Q50 could look like,” Albaisa says in the press statement.“The design has a number of distinctive Formula One inspired touches.  In particular, the sculpted front wing assembly and the rear aerodynamic packaging take their cues from the RB9 race car."Infiniti hasn't yet given any details of what's under the bonnet -- and what sort of figures it could clock up -- but we're expecting at the very least a revised version of one of the Q50's mills with some extra power and torque squeezed out.With the Eau Rouge's performance focus, that's likely to be the hybrid system from the Q50 S flagship -- with some extra output above its 268kW/546Nm combined from a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and an electic motor -- rather than the 157kW/320Nm 2.0-litre petrol four, 245kW/365Nm 3.7-litre V6 or 125kW/400Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel.Infiniti is also making a strong social media play with the Eau Rouge, and we'll get to see more or less of the car depending on the amount of likes, tweets, shares and other responses, which will start forming an image of the car in a 'virtual garage'. The more responses, the more quickly the car will build and the more we'll see -- presumably circumventing the customary leaking of images.

The Infiniti Q50 will launch in January with expected V6 petrol hybrid and 2.1-litre turbodiesel engines as Infiniti looks to step up its attack on the Australian prestige market. Infiniti general manager Kevin Snell won’t officially comment on the Q50 drivetrains but the UK arm of Nissan’s premium arm has already gone on sale with the above engines. Internet rumours suggest a four-cylinder turbo petrol is also well advanced. The hybrid is an in-house design that’s used in the line-up already on sale in Australia. The turbodiesel is sourced from Mercedes-Benz and cranks out 125kW/400Nm in UK guise. Infiniti has just cut prices on its existing models by an average of $10,000, reflecting modest sales and the fact the Australian outfit was forced to launch with models in the middle of their life-cycle Snell says existing Infiniti owners -- and there are 200 year-to-date -- will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis to ensure they’re not disadvantaged by the price cut. “When we launched the brand we aimed to build identity and deliver a customer experience that no other prestige carmaker could offer,” Snell says. “That customer experience extends to the price adjustments. Our dealers have a unique relationship with their clients and we will deal with them accordingly. We intentionally started small (with just three dealers -- in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne) and now we’re stepping up to phase two.  That starts with the Q50, which will be on sale in January and will roll out from there. Part of that strategy is the appointment of a new national sales manager in Andrei Zaitzev. “We’ve had a long-burn program - the business plan rolls out until 2020 - and there are now a significant number of new models in the pipeline that let us open the next wave of dealerships and progressively expand the models,” Snell says. “We’ll leverage the four-cylinder turbo powertrains - they’re the future - and our relationship with Red Bull Racing in F1 to continue building brand identity.” Snell affirms the signing of Daniel Ricciardo to Red Bull will help the Australian arm by giving it a high-profile local ambassador to reinforce Infiniti’s performance credentials.