The Infiniti Q50 will soon join the long list of sedans that have disappeared from the market in recent years. By 2025, the Japanese manufacturer's lineup will consist solely of SUVs, a much more profitable segment, and with good reason.
The Q50 has been heavily criticized by many journalists over the years. Admittedly, it’s not the most luxurious, modern, or even the most performant car in its class. In fact, there isn’t really any area in which the Japanese sedan excels. However, the Q50 has always had a certain character and never fails to turn heads as it passes by. In short, it’s a car that evokes emotion, which is why it’s so appreciated within the automotive community.
400 Horses of Pure Joy
The Infiniti Q50 is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering up to 400 horsepower, depending on the chosen version. If these figures sound familiar, it's because the new Nissan Z uses the same engine. The Japanese automaker's sedan can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds in its Red Sport version. As for the regular variant, it uses the same powertrain, but the power is reduced to 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is still plenty for a thrilling driving experience. In both cases, a 7-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.
The Last of a Long Line
The Infiniti Q50 debuted on the market in 2013 as a 2014 model. The Japanese automaker’s sedan was quite successful in its early days. Interestingly, few people know that this luxury sedan is a direct descendant of the legendary Nissan Skyline. In fact, the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline shares the same platform as the Q50. Before the Q50, there was the G37 and then the G35. However, the story really began in 1991 with the G20.
The automotive industry has evolved significantly since then, which is why Infiniti is now forced to pull the Q50 from the market. It's worth noting that the coupe version, the Q60, was removed from the lineup last year. So, while this news about the Q50 was somewhat expected, it doesn’t make it any less sad.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
