Topic: Preview: 2016 Infiniti Q50

[CanuckS2K]

However easily the biggest disappointment for me is changing the best part of the car, the 328 HP base 3.7L engine which also happens to sound great. To substitute a 208 HP engine for that, even if it has "some" torque, is not going to fool anyone if the price doesn't drop substantially (and it probably won't).

I agree, I have started looking for a new vehicle and this was high on my list, without the 3.7  not likely anymore 

Buy a 2015.   

[RoadRageous]

However easily the biggest disappointment for me is changing the best part of the car, the 328 HP base 3.7L engine which also happens to sound great. To substitute a 208 HP engine for that, even if it has "some" torque, is not going to fool anyone if the price doesn't drop substantially (and it probably won't).

^^^

I don't follow. Surely the 2l is the new base model. competing against the 320 and 328 ix models, and the turbos are bracketing the 330 ix. ( Forgive me if I haven't got the 2016 bmw lineup fully decoded. But you know what I mean ).

As a VQ owner, I mourn the apparent passing of a legend, but I have faith that the VR ( Intersting choice ) will be even better from an enjoyment aspect.

[Noto]

You may be correct, but depends on pricing...

The base model now with 2-fewer cylinders better see a several-thousand dollar price drop.  If not, then



^^ with proper punctuation...i.e. "Boo this, man, booo!"

[RoadRageous]

No comments so far? Strange.
I thought the powertrain options alone would spark a serious discussion.
If the price is right, this Q50 is bound to steal a few glances away from ze Germans and Volvo. I am tempted to have a look at it when it arrives.

the article came out mid-day, think of my day job ! This is very exciting. If Infiniti can expand their sales figures with the 2l, while providing better performance from the 3l, then I am fully supportive.

the G20 was supposed to a fill that gap. Maybe this time they will have more success.

I think it's great that they seem to be holding up the sedan as the leading edge of innovation. I thought the coupe was going to be the first model launched with the TT 3l.

And the VR term is interesting. Is it really a design break from the VQ ? Is it related to the VR racing series ?

But what I really want to see is some sort of driving evaluation. Until then, it's a bit abstract.

[RoadRageous]

I have no doubt that the 300 hp turbo will be quicker than the 3.7L in the real world.  That motor is rough at high rpm where you need to be to be moving quickly.  The new motor has far more torque under the curve with peak hitting essentially right off idle.  Not to mention that 300 is a nice round number, likely to match BMW.  I would not be surprised if the car puts that number down close to the wheels.

It doesn't match BMW now that the 340i has 320 hp.

I seriously doubt that a 20hp difference will be of any importance. Torque. Responsiveness. NVH. Shift Quality.   Coefficient of drag. Fuel economy. That will make a difference to how I feel. I'm not sure how often I use all of the 306 HP in my G35.

[bluelines]

No, it's derived from the engine used in the GT-R (the VR series engine).

Is it possible that the 300 hp 3.0 twin turbo is, in fact, the MB C400 motor but marketed to be less powerful?  And the 400 hp version is really the C450 version?

[mixmanmash]

I have no doubt that the 300 hp turbo will be quicker than the 3.7L in the real world.  That motor is rough at high rpm where you need to be to be moving quickly.  The new motor has far more torque under the curve with peak hitting essentially right off idle.  Not to mention that 300 is a nice round number, likely to match BMW.  I would not be surprised if the car puts that number down close to the wheels.

:fiver

[mixmanmash]

No, it's derived from the engine used in the GT-R (the VR series engine).

Is it possible that the 300 hp 3.0 twin turbo is, in fact, the MB C400 motor but marketed to be less powerful?  And the 400 hp version is really the C450 version?

This.

[99 Silver]

However easily the biggest disappointment for me is changing the best part of the car, the 328 HP base 3.7L engine which also happens to sound great. To substitute a 208 HP engine for that, even if it has "some" torque, is not going to fool anyone if the price doesn't drop substantially (and it probably won't).

I agree, I have started looking for a new vehicle and this was high on my list, without the 3.7  not likely anymore 

I would drive the 3.0 turbos before I made that decision.

[SKYMTL]

I have always liked this car.  The exterior design has held up extremely well due to its lack of over-design. 

Unfortunately, it seems like Infinity has doubled-down on the biggest critiques of the previous generation:  the horrible steering and atrocious suspension. 

I'd love to see a tuned version of that 400HP V6 in an "Eau Rouge" edition to compete against BMW's M-series but we'll see.

[dougjp]

Detailed information about the two new turbos;

" Unlike the GT-R’s exhaust-manifold-integrated turbos, the new VR’s turbos bolt directly to the cylinder heads"

" aside from programming, the only differences between the two versions are their engine mounts and an optical speed sensor for the turbochargers on the 400-hp variant. This speed sensor is what allows engine programmers to spin the VR’s turbos up to 240,000 rpm, a speed Infiniti claims is the fastest of any production V-6 engine" 

" Spray-on bore coatings eliminate the need for iron cylinder liners, saving nearly four pounds"

http://blog.caranddriver.com/check-engine-a-deeper-look-at-infinitis-new-twin-turbo-3-0-liter-v-6/

[mixmanmash]

Looks like other markets are getting a 2.2L turbo diesel as well.

http://www.gizmag.com/2016-infinit-q50-detroit/40994/