- Q50 sets a fresh design, performance and technology direction for new generation of INFINITI vehicles and brand
- Offers world's first technologies designed to enhance the driving experience, including Direct Adaptive Steering™, Active Lane Control™ and Predictive Forward Collision Warning
- Q50 has already gained technology award recognition for the Direct Adaptive Steering™ system, a world's first technology on a production vehicle**
Detroit / Hong Kong - Building on INFINITI's renown sports sedan styling, performance and ground-breaking technology, the all-new 2014 INFINITI Q50 was designed to create a new, distinct level of customer engagement - propelling INFINITI in a bold new direction as a brand and as a provider of a unique luxury performance experience.
A new dimension in dynamic design
While INFINITI sports sedans have always been noted for their outstanding proportions and presence, the INFINITI Q50 adds a new dimension of premium style. It reflects the direct influence of the INFINITI Essence Concept, while honoring the iconic design dynamics of earlier INFINITI sports sedans.
The Q50's strong first impression is anchored by the smooth yet dynamic character line arising from its "double arch" grille. The line energetically flows through the bodyside like a wave and merges with the rear end, creating a highly fluid and intriguing profile and fully illustrating the INFINITI Q50's dynamic and athletic stance.
The new grille's three-dimensional, textural quality is provided by elaborate detailing of the waved mesh pattern surface and chrome surround, while the distinctive LED headlights and daytime running lights suggest an almost human look.
The lean, robust body sides are designed to anchor the performance stance with a strong, solid "bone" and arched roofline that flows to the Crescent C-pillars that are similar to those that originally appeared on the Essence Concept.
At the rear, the side character lines smoothly merge with the shape of the rear LED combination lights. The familiar rear double-arch trunk-line completes the strong, unforgettable view from behind.
The new body design also offers enhanced airflow over both the upper and lower body portions, resulting in a coefficient of drag of just 0.26; the Q50 also features zero front and rear lift.
Performance with a personal touch
Throughout the INFINITI Q50's development, compromise was never an option. No compromise on innovation, design or performance targets, allowing the development teams to stretch the boundaries of what a sports sedan can be.
A number of advanced powertrains are offered globally, starting with a refined 3.7-liter aluminum-alloy DOHC 24-valve V6 rated at 328hp and 269lb/ft of torque. The engine features Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) and Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL®).
Also available is an advanced hybrid powertrain featuring the INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid® system with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control.
It combines a 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy V6 and compact laminated lithium-ion battery design with an innovative one-motor/two-clutch motor control. The system's V6 is rated at 302hp and 258lb/ft of torque, while the advanced 50kW electric motor is rated at 67hp and 214lb/ft of torque. The hybrid system net power is 360hp, providing strong acceleration and lean fuel economy.
Both Q50 powertrains are matched with an advanced 7-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode and available steering column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters. The Q50 is available in rear-wheel drive and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with both powertrains.
There is also a 2.2-liter, four-cylinder turbo diesel engine available for the Q50 in Europe. Producing 170hp and a generous 295lb/ft of torque, this is also available with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
INFINITI has recently announced the addition of a turbocharged two-liter petrol engine to its powertrain portfolio for the Q50. Initially available in China, this engine will reach other markets over the next year.
Precise handling is provided by the 4-wheel independent multi-link suspension. The front is a single pivot double-wishbone design, while the revised rear design utilizes a multi-link design with coil springs and Dual Flow Path® shock absorbers, with increased camber stiffness and improved ride comfort.
The new Q50 also features available INFINITI Direct Adaptive Steering™ technology, a world's first technology developed after more than ten years of research. Also referred to as 'steer-by-wire,' the system translates the driver's steering wheel input to the wheels electronically, as opposed to using a traditional mechanical steering linkage. The system provides electronic control of the Q50's tire angle and steering inputs, transmitting the driver's intentions to the wheels faster than mechanical steering.
This increases the direct driving performance feel by quickly and intelligently communicating road surface feedback to the driver. This intuitive technology provides the flexibility for the driver to personalize both steering effort and the steering gear ratio, based on personal preferences and road situations. A backup mechanical steering system is provided with models utilizing the new Direct Adaptive Steering™ technology.
Also offered is another world's first, Active Lane Control, which uses a camera-based system to further enhance lane-keeping capability. The system is included as part of the Lane Departure Prevention system, not only adjusting for unintended lane drift, but also making finer adjustments for minor road surface changes or crosswinds.
In fine-tuning the INFINITI Q50's exceptional performance standards, INFINITI's partnership with INFINITI Red Bull Racing four-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion, Sebastian Vettel, and the team's Test & Reserve driver Sebastien Buemi provided an extra dimension to development. Vettel also serves as INFINITI's Director of Performance.
With the goal of making the new model one of the most dynamic and exciting sports sedans on the market, Vettel provided input on the Q50's performance and handling at INFINITI's Tochigi facility in Japan. Buemi tested at the world famous Nürburgring, in Germany - one of the toughest proving grounds in the world - pushing prototypes to the limits to help produce a chassis with outstanding handling characteristics.
Modern luxury meets meticulous craftsmanship
Matching the inspired INFINITI Q50 design and performance is an interior created to the same extraordinary standards. The interior environment offers a powerful blend of three-dimensional textures, highest craftsmanship and premium quality, combining modern luxury and user-focused advanced technology.
The Q50 interior is also designed as an invitation to drive - to celebrate the elation of driving that is often lost in the modern world. As such, special attention was paid to the driver position, offering a generous range of customizable adjustments within a cosseting yet comfortable cockpit.
The Q50's instrument panel honors INFINITI's "double wave" design tradition, while updated with a new asymmetrical flow from the top of the center cluster to the wide center console. Access to all key operations and controls is designed so that the driver does not need to change driving posture, including use of hard switches, touch panels, INFINITI Controller and INFINITI Drive Mode Selector.
The front and rear seats are a new ergonomic design, developed to help distribute body pressure across a wider range of the upper seating surface. The roomy interior space offers ample front and rear headroom, generous rear knee room enhanced by the new, thin front seatback design, and greater front seat slide and lift adjustability. Front and rear seat hip points have also been adjusted for greater comfort.
The rear foot room has been expanded by moving the B-pillar forward nearly an inch (versus traditional designs), making it easier to enter and exit. Effective luggage space is among the best in the segment at 13.5 cubic feet with the 3.7-liter V6 and 9.4 cubic feet with the hybrid powertrain.
Premium audio systems include an available next-generation INFINITI Studio on Wheels® by Bose® audio system with an instrument panel 3-speaker array (14 speakers total throughout the cabin) and Advanced Staging Technology®. Other features include Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, RearView Monitor and available Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with Plasmacluster® air purifier and Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection.
INFINITI connected technologies
Building on INFINITI's unique approach to making owners' lives easier, which includes the INFINITI Personal Assistant™ program with 24-hour access to a live team of professional assistants (where applicable), the new INFINITI InTouch™ telematics system brings the future of in-car connectivity to the Q50 interior today. Unlike conventional interfaces, the Q50 has not one but two touch capacitive screens with intuitive hand gesture screen operation to easily connect drivers to their lives outside the car.
Along with the large dual screens (LCD/VGA 8-inch upper and 7-inch lower color displays), the INFINITI InTouch™ system is designed to effortlessly synchronize car and driver.
Content and functions directed to the upper screen includes the most frequently used applications, such as navigation maps. Other content is directed to the lower display screen. A selection of vehicle-centric apps is pre-loaded into the system. Owners can also download, update and synch personal apps through their smartphones and USB drives.
The final area of segment leadership for the new INFINITI Q50 is its advanced safety systems that build on the long list of safety and security technologies already found in other INFINITI models.
The INFINITI Q50 offers available Intelligent Cruise Control with Full Speed Range, Forward Emergency Braking, Distance Control Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Blind Spot Intervention®, Backup Collision Intervention®, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention with Active Lane Control™, Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) and high beam assist technology. The new, world's first Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) system warns the driver of risks that lie beyond the driver's field of view. It not only can sense the relative velocity and distance of a vehicle directly ahead, but also of a vehicle travelling in front of the preceding one.
Towards the end of 2013, the Q50 was awarded the highest scores possible for safety performance. The NHTSA awarded the Q50 five-stars for crash performance while the equivalent tests in the Euro NCAP also awarded the Q50 five stars. This makes the Q50 amongst the safest premium sedan cars on the road today.
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** The editors of Popular Science have selected the INFINITI Q50 premium sports sedan's INFINITI Direct Adaptive Steering™ as one of 12 Grand Award recipients in the annual "Best of What's New" issue.
About INFINITI:
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing, INFINITI has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as INFINITI's Director of Performance.
More information about INFINITI, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com. For the latest news on INFINITI in Formula One, visit www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/INFINITIGP or follow on Twitter @INFINITIGP.
Contacts:
For INFINITI U.S. Communications, contact:
Kyle Bazemore
Senior Manager
Office: 615-725-3210
E-mail: kyle.bazemore@infiniti.com
Alexandra Amelang
Specialist
Office: 615-725-1455
E-mail: alexandra.amelang@infiniti.com
For INFINITI Global Communications, contact:
Stefan Weinmann
General Manager, INFINITI Global Communications
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong
Phone: +852 3948 0126
Mobile: +852 9447 9973
Email: stefan.weinmann@infiniti.com
Jon Walsh
Senior Manager, INFINITI Global Communications
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong
Phone: +852 3948 0129
Mobile: +852 9447 9705
Email: jon.walsh@infiniti.com
