I think it’s safe to say that the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge could become the brand’s most exciting vehicle ever made, provided that the management is bold enough to produce it.
With 560 hp and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque produced by the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine sourced from the Nissan GT-R, the Q50 Eau Rouge could become a feared rival for the BMW M3 and Mercedes C 63 AMG.
Infiniti has already begun development testing of the high performance sedan, and EVO’s Jethro Bovingdon had the chance to drive a prototype on the Milbrook Proving Ground in the UK.
His first impressions are positive, although he says the engine feels a little bit strangled in the mid-range compared to the GT-R and the seven-speed automatic transmission does not shift gears quick enough – the twin-clutch gearbox from the GT-R does not fit on the Q50 Eau Rouge.
Otherwise, the car is very fast and solid but Bovingdon says Infiniti needs to turn it up a notch in terms of performance, sound and feel in order to really convince M3 buyers. Head past the jump watch the review.
By Dan Mihalascu