Infiniti Q50 SEMA Build Flaunts NISMO LM-RS1 Forged Wheels, Performance Cat-Back Exhaust

Isn’t NISMO associated with Nissan, though? You are perfectly right, but remember that the Q50 isn’t really an Infiniti. Over in Japan, the Q50 is sold as the Nissan Skyline. Makes you wonder what happened after the much-coveted R34, doesn’t it?

To answer that question, we first have to travel back in time to 2001. That’s when the Japanese manufacturer launched the 11th generation of the Skyline, bearing the V35 internal codename. If that sounds all too familiar to you, bear in mind the V35 is joined at the hip to the Infiniti G35. Simply put, all Infiniti G- and Q-line models since the G35 are US versions of the JDM-exclusive Nissan Skyline.

The show car uses the 3.0-liter V6 of the series-production Q50 Red Sport 400, yet makes a few more ponies and pound-feet of torque. Upgrades include a CARB-approved performance cold-air intake, along with a cat-back exhaust with laser-etched Infiniti logos for the polished exhaust tips.

Being a twin-turbo engine, the VR30DDTT requires proper cooling. That’s why Infiniti decided on a billet-aluminum coolant expansion tank with 70 percent more volume than the standard tank. In other words, it holds 1.7 more gallons of coolant.

The list further includes an auxiliary intercooler tank and a heat exchanger. When it comes to the visuals, the first thing to catch one’s attention is the livery. The anthracite-painted wheels come in a close second, and as opposed to the livery, said wheels have a functional role as well. These 19- by 9.5-inch forged alloys are lightweight wheels from NISMO. Made from 6061 aluminum alloy, the LM-RS1 wheels are also available in black and bronze finishes.

Rolling on Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS performance rubber, the one-of-one Q50 further sweetens the deal with performance brake pads and a carbon-fiber steering wheel finisher. A performance-oriented endlink set needs to be mentioned as well, along with performance rear toe arms, lower camber links, traction rods, front upper control arms, and a set of front outer tie rod ends.

Although there’s nothing technically wrong with this purposeful machine, there’s no denying the Q50 is getting long in the tooth. The first example of the breed rolled out in 2013 for the 2014 model year, which was a whole decade ago. The underpinnings are older still because the FM (front midship) vehicle architecture dates back to the V35-series Skyline.

A rear-biased sedan as opposed to the front-biased Acura TLX, the Q50 is joined by a plethora of SUVs in Infiniti’s lineup. Word has it the next generation will go fully electric, but only time will tell if Nissan is willing to make such a dangerous bet.