Infiniti’s 3 Series Rival For June Launch
When it comes to compact executive saloons, the Germans rule the roost: The Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are the de rigeur choices, and when it comes to an East Asian alternatives, there's so far been only Lexus with its IS as a serious alternative.
But Nissan's luxury label, Infiniti, has been here for nigh on two years, and while it's so far failed to make a big sales dent, the brand is nevertheless determined to stick it out and build up its name in Singapore.
A revitalised global product offensive should help it here, with the first car to launch in Singapore in June, the Q50 small executive sedan. Formerly known as the G in Infiniti's nomenclature, the Q50 runs on an evolved version of Nissan's FM architecture, which also underpins the related Nissan 370Z sports car.
It's the first design to embody Infiniti's new design language, which takes cues from the Etherea concept. "As you can see in Q50, the Q30 Concept and even upcoming Q50 Eau Rouge, we have shifted in a more athletic yet artistically sculptural direction. Infiniti has a sense of bravery and seduction which is best expressed sculpturally," said the brand's design director, Alfonso Albaisa, in an interview with CarBuyer.
The interior promises a higher level of refinement and luxury, although it continues Infiniti's 'two cockpit' layout that has a distinct verticality to it. There's also a new touch-based infotainment system with two touch-screens and the expected host of additional safety and convenience features such as lane departure warning and adaptive steering.
Final specs will be announced by local dealer Wearnes Automotive at a later date, but it's been confirmed that main variant will be the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 211bhp. As a result of Daimler and Renault-Nissan's partnership, it's the same unit as found in the Mercedes-Benz C 250. The 328bhp, 3.7-litre V6 will not be sold here, although diesel and hybrid variants could be on the cards later on.
Infiniti has also recently teased footage of F1 champ Sebastian Vettel driving the conceptual high-performance version of the Q50, the Eau Rouge. With 570bhp from a Nissan GT-R derived powertrain, that's one Q50 variant which will definitely see at least few takers in supercar-besotted Singapore.
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