When the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept debuted at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, it seemed like the perfect recipe. Combining the power of the Nissan GT-R with the sleek body of Infiniti’s small luxury sedan, the Eau Rouge was a bold response to the luxury hot rods offered by Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Lexus, and Volvo.
However, it seems that the dream of owning an Eau Rouge will remain just that – a dream. In an interview with Car magazine at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, Infiniti Vice President Francois Goupil de Bouille confirmed that the company had no plans to bring the Eau Rouge into production.
“It was just too costly,” Bouille explained. After analyzing sales forecasts, Infiniti determined that the investment required to produce the specialized model wouldn’t be justified.
One of the main selling points of the Eau Rouge was its use of the 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine from the GT-R, delivering an impressive 560 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels through Nissan’s advanced all-wheel-drive system. However, these components aren’t cheap to manufacture. GT-R engines are meticulously hand-assembled by highly skilled technicians in a cleanroom environment. Scaling up production to meet demand would have been a significant challenge.
Additionally, the strained relationship between Infiniti and the Red Bull Racing Formula One team, which Infiniti sponsors, may have contributed to the decision. The Eau Rouge was named after a renowned corner at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium and was promoted in connection with Red Bull. However, with Red Bull’s recent struggles in F1 and their criticism of the hybrid powertrains supplied by Infiniti’s parent company, Renault, the association with F1 became problematic for the brand.
While the Eau Rouge may not see the light of day, Infiniti is considering the possibility of introducing a sportier version of the Q50. Bouille hinted at the potential development of a performance sub-brand, similar to AMG or BMW M. This sub-brand could offer a range of high-performance options, from diesel-powered models to lightweight variants.
While we may be disappointed that the Eau Rouge won’t become a reality, Infiniti’s commitment to exploring exciting and dynamic options for their vehicles shows that the brand is still focused on delivering thrilling driving experiences to its customers.
FAQs
Q: Why won’t Infiniti produce the Q50 Eau Rouge?
A: Infiniti deemed the Eau Rouge too costly to produce, considering the sales forecasts and the high manufacturing costs associated with the components borrowed from the GT-R.
Q: What was the main attraction of the Q50 Eau Rouge?
A: The Eau Rouge featured the powerful 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine from the GT-R, delivering 560 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels.
Q: Is Infiniti considering other performance options for the Q50?
A: Yes, Infiniti is exploring the possibility of introducing a performance sub-brand for the Q50, which could offer a range of high-performance options, including a high-performance diesel and lightweight models.
Conclusion
Although the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge won’t become a production reality, the concept car captured the imagination of car enthusiasts with its fusion of GT-R power and luxurious sedan styling. While we may never get to experience the thrill of driving an Eau Rouge, the possibility of a performance-focused sub-brand from Infiniti signals an exciting future for the brand’s enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more updates on Infiniti’s performance offerings and get the latest car news at Car News.