Sal Collaziano
Staff member
Infiniti wants to have fun again with a sports sedan that could combine 400 hp, a manual gearbox, and rear-wheel drive for the perfect enthusiast recipe.
What It Is:
Infiniti is a bit lost: sales have plummeted since the brand's peak in 2017, and its lineup has been reduced to just two SUVs. But Infiniti plans to put itself back on the map with a new sports sedan, expected to revive the Q50 name, which the company confirmed in October 2024. A pair of new SUVs, including a hybrid, will serve as Infiniti's cash cows, but the 2028 Q50 will attempt to inject some razzmatazz into the stagnating brand to get customers into showrooms, even if they end up leaving with a more practical family SUV.
Why It Matters:
Infiniti was a hot commodity in the 2000s, when swanky SUVs like the V-8-powered FX45 sat alongside the G35 coupe, which paired rear-wheel drive with a potent V-6 engine and an available manual transmission. The return of the Q50 shows that Infiniti wants to get back to its roots and offer something to get enthusiasts excited, boosting the automaker's image. While a new sports sedan will likely remain fairly niche, Infiniti hopes the buzz around the reborn Q50 will attract both fans of the brand and shoppers looking for a mix of luxury and performance. Read more...
What It Is:
Infiniti is a bit lost: sales have plummeted since the brand's peak in 2017, and its lineup has been reduced to just two SUVs. But Infiniti plans to put itself back on the map with a new sports sedan, expected to revive the Q50 name, which the company confirmed in October 2024. A pair of new SUVs, including a hybrid, will serve as Infiniti's cash cows, but the 2028 Q50 will attempt to inject some razzmatazz into the stagnating brand to get customers into showrooms, even if they end up leaving with a more practical family SUV.
Why It Matters:
Infiniti was a hot commodity in the 2000s, when swanky SUVs like the V-8-powered FX45 sat alongside the G35 coupe, which paired rear-wheel drive with a potent V-6 engine and an available manual transmission. The return of the Q50 shows that Infiniti wants to get back to its roots and offer something to get enthusiasts excited, boosting the automaker's image. While a new sports sedan will likely remain fairly niche, Infiniti hopes the buzz around the reborn Q50 will attract both fans of the brand and shoppers looking for a mix of luxury and performance. Read more...
