At the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, the premium arm of Nissan debuted an updated Q50. The compact executive sedan that replaces the Infiniti G series is available in three forms: a 2.0 turbo with 208 HP, a hybrid with 360 HP, and the car we’ll focus on in this story. Cue the 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400.
I know, right? What a silly name. It would’ve been better if Infiniti had called it the Eau Rouge. The name has been used for a concept car unveiled in 2014 at the Detroit Auto Show. Eau Rouge is also a high-speed corner on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, so what gives? It would’ve been a perfect nameplate for the most powerful Q50 on sale today.
Speaking of money, $47,950 is how much the premium automaker wants for the rear-wheel-drive variant of the sporty sedan. AWD commands a $2,000 premium, pushing the manufacturer’s suggested retail price to $49,950. If that sounds like a lot of dough, bear in mind that the Mercedes-AMG C63 starts at $65,250 and the BMW M3 at $63,500. If it’s bang for the buck you’re after, the Q50 Red Sport 400 is the car for you.
"The Q50 Red Sport 400 carves out a unique space in the sports sedan segment - with no other rival offering this much horsepower priced under $50,000," commented Randy Parker, the vice president of Infiniti Americas. The automaker is so proud of the 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) six-banger that Parker added, "The Q50 Red Sport 400's new 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine is the most advanced V6 engine that Infiniti has ever offered, striking an ideal balance between drivability, efficiency, and performance."
Some of the highlights of the daft-named model include 4-piston front and 2-piston rear brake calipers, Digital Dynamic Suspension, rack-based electronic power steering or optional Direct Adaptive Steering, paddle shifters made from solid magnesium, aluminum-accented pedals, and bolstered leather seats.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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