Photo: Infiniti
I almost entirely forgot about its existence, but the Infiniti Q50 is still alive and well - and the 2024 model year just got announced by the Japanese automaker with the same old looks yet higher MSRPs for the entire lineup.
There was a time when the Nissan Skyline name meant something even for the average automotive enthusiast. The nameplate has been around since before it was a Nissan, as the original Skyline was introduced in 1957 by the Prince Motor Company – only since 1967 the former adopted it as its own after the two companies merged.
Thirteen generations have passed since its inception; some of them were the harbingers of the legendary Skyline GT-R high-performance sports cars. Unfortunately, though, the Nissan Skyline is a pale shadow of its former self today – even if it is sold across international markets as a ritzier Infiniti model. However, the design that makes it feel like it's only suitable for mega-bored people takes much of the panache away.
Yeah, I know that Infiniti tried to spice it up with stuff like the Red Sport 400, which uses the same engine as the 2024 Nissan Z, but the difference in style between them is night and day. Not long ago, Infiniti even sent a Q50 Red Sport 400 to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, flaunting things like Nismo LM-RS1 wheels or a cat-back exhaust. Still, even the premium Japanese automaker knew that its design wouldn't attract anyone, so they reworked the bland sedan with yellow and black touches across the white body.
Oddly enough, while other sedans – some much more interesting than this one – are bowing out because there's no more room for them in the space crowded by crossovers, SUVs, and trucks, the Infiniti Q50 has survived for at least another model year. Infiniti recently announced the 2024 Q50 – created for the "discerning driver" – will arrive later this year across nationwide dealerships with an MSRP of $43,050. That's $400 more than the 2023MY, which is unsurprising given the galloping inflation.
However, Infiniti also doesn't make any improvements to the lineup, meaning the hikes are coming out of thin air with nothing to back them up. Like the 2023MY, the 2024 model year Q50 comes with a choice of three grades – Luxe, Sensory, and Red Sport 400. They are all fitted with standard RWD; if you want AWD, that's an additional $2k. Starting with the Q50 Luxe, the sedan has 18-inch alloy wheels, leather-appointed seats, wireless Apple CarPlay, USB-based Android Auto, and Bose® Performance Series audio, among others.
Moving on to the Q50 Sensory, the MSRP kicks off at $48,750 (+$400) with sporty exterior accents, 19-inch wheels, wood interior trim, an Advanced Climate Control System with Plasmacluster Air Purifier and Grape Polyphenol filter, plus more. There's also the illuminated Radiant Grille Emblem if you're into this trick. Both variants use the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 300 hp.
Last but not least, the Red Sport 400 starts from $56,900 (whereas the 2024 Z Sport is $42,210 and the Z Performance is $52,210, just so you know) and upgrades the mill to 400 hp and 350 lb-ft versus 295, adds uprated brakes, bespoke 19-inch alloys, a Dynamic Digital Suspension, and the optional Black Opal Edition package featuring a "shimmering" Black Opal metallic paintjob, black exterior badges plus a carbon fiber rear spoiler for an additional $2,200.
Thirteen generations have passed since its inception; some of them were the harbingers of the legendary Skyline GT-R high-performance sports cars. Unfortunately, though, the Nissan Skyline is a pale shadow of its former self today – even if it is sold across international markets as a ritzier Infiniti model. However, the design that makes it feel like it's only suitable for mega-bored people takes much of the panache away.
Yeah, I know that Infiniti tried to spice it up with stuff like the Red Sport 400, which uses the same engine as the 2024 Nissan Z, but the difference in style between them is night and day. Not long ago, Infiniti even sent a Q50 Red Sport 400 to the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, flaunting things like Nismo LM-RS1 wheels or a cat-back exhaust. Still, even the premium Japanese automaker knew that its design wouldn't attract anyone, so they reworked the bland sedan with yellow and black touches across the white body.
Oddly enough, while other sedans – some much more interesting than this one – are bowing out because there's no more room for them in the space crowded by crossovers, SUVs, and trucks, the Infiniti Q50 has survived for at least another model year. Infiniti recently announced the 2024 Q50 – created for the "discerning driver" – will arrive later this year across nationwide dealerships with an MSRP of $43,050. That's $400 more than the 2023MY, which is unsurprising given the galloping inflation.
However, Infiniti also doesn't make any improvements to the lineup, meaning the hikes are coming out of thin air with nothing to back them up. Like the 2023MY, the 2024 model year Q50 comes with a choice of three grades – Luxe, Sensory, and Red Sport 400. They are all fitted with standard RWD; if you want AWD, that's an additional $2k. Starting with the Q50 Luxe, the sedan has 18-inch alloy wheels, leather-appointed seats, wireless Apple CarPlay, USB-based Android Auto, and Bose® Performance Series audio, among others.
Moving on to the Q50 Sensory, the MSRP kicks off at $48,750 (+$400) with sporty exterior accents, 19-inch wheels, wood interior trim, an Advanced Climate Control System with Plasmacluster Air Purifier and Grape Polyphenol filter, plus more. There's also the illuminated Radiant Grille Emblem if you're into this trick. Both variants use the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 300 hp.
Last but not least, the Red Sport 400 starts from $56,900 (whereas the 2024 Z Sport is $42,210 and the Z Performance is $52,210, just so you know) and upgrades the mill to 400 hp and 350 lb-ft versus 295, adds uprated brakes, bespoke 19-inch alloys, a Dynamic Digital Suspension, and the optional Black Opal Edition package featuring a "shimmering" Black Opal metallic paintjob, black exterior badges plus a carbon fiber rear spoiler for an additional $2,200.
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