Dear Infiniti, you should put this car into production.
Infiniti took a stab at creating the perfect premium sports sedan with their new Q50. Overall, the Japanese automaker was pretty successful in reaching its goal, but now it’s shooting to push the limits of the segment with the Q50 Eau Rouge Concept.
The new Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept took a bow at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and hints at what the future could hold for the sports sedan.
“From our shared passion for performance with Infiniti Red Bull Racing grew a collective desire to produce an ambitious and powerful Infiniti Q50 design study. The overall design creates a feeling of refined muscularity,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti’s Executive Design Director.
“The Q50 Eau Rouge is a combination of the seductive lines of the Q50 but with a fiercer design urge in keeping with a high-performance vehicle. The Q50 Eau Rouge is Infiniti to the power of four; like a bull with its shoulder muscles flexed, a bull in Infiniti clothing.”
The Formula One inspiration is clearly evident throughout the exterior of the Q50 Eau Rouge Concept. The ultra-competitive motorsport roots provided the perfect DNA to create the perfect sports sedan. The entire exterior save for the front doors and roof pillar arches are all-new and feature an aggressive design that mimics that of the Red Bull RB9 Formula One racer.
httpvh://youtu.be/FsXYUWPobGc
The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept boasts muscular front and rear fenders that are extended by 20 mm and house lightweight 21-inch forged alloy wheels. Bespoke carbon fiber aerodynamic body work and a larger decklid spoiler help to create downforce and redirect air while creating a commanding presence. A customized red paint is the color of choice for the Q50 Eau Rouge Concept and is contrasted by dark matte chrome-finished double-arch front grille, door handles, decklid accents, and glasshouse surrounds. All of the standard chrome brightwork on the Q50 has been converted to dark chrome on the Eau Rouge Concept.
Infiniti hasn’t unveiled what’s hidden beneath the double-vented curving hood, but it’s going to be very powerful.
“If we built this car I would expect it to feature over 500hp and 600lb/ft of torque. 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,” said Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motor Company Limited.
The cockpit of the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept is designed to offer greater command and comfort for driver and passengers. Formula One-style paddle shifters make changing gears easier and are positioned behind a high-grip steering wheel. The more menacing dark chrome replaces all of the original silver chrome inside the cockpit and is complemented by red-tinted carbon fiber trim throughout.
As of now, Infiniti has not announced plans to put the Q50 Eau Rouge Concept into production, nor have they revealed powertrain specifications.
Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept Gallery
Source: Infiniti
Should Infiniti put the Q50 Eau Rouge into production?
