Nissan boasts that the new Infiniti Q50 at Sport sedan at the Geneva International Motor Show has “innovative technologies that empower and support the driver, taking a holistic approach to performance.” As the Company’s most expensive model, and its best-selling vehicle worldwide, Infiniti* claims several world-first innovations with the Q50. It’s a mid-cycle freshening following a 2013 debut with added electronic and driver assist systems that goes on sale later this year. Long gone are the days when a freshening meant new headlights and taillights as well as new paint colors – ether is just too much competition in he showroom.
One of the extra cost options – driver assistance technologies – are included in the new Q50 is second-generation Direct Adaptive Steering – a steer-by-wire system that supports the driver by providing more direct steering responses and easy maneuverability. Direct Adaptive Steering is a precursor to future steering systems that will form a building block to achieving fully-autonomous driving, of course.
The Q50’s optional Active Lane Control system works with Direct Adaptive Steering to maximize safety on highways, activating automatically above 45 mph. It uses a camera system to detect the Q50’s position on the road and is able to prevent the Q50 from straying from its lane. Infiniti has a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine from the new a ‘VR’ powertrain family.
What Would a Freshening be Without New Colors?
The 2017 Q50 is available with a trio of new metallic exterior colors: Midnight Black, Pure White, and – replacing Venetian Red –
Dynamic Sunstone Red is the result of a new paint application process developed by Infiniti which employs a combination of coating machinery and manual techniques to achieve the deep, lustrous finish. Red brake calipers have been added to Q50 Red Sport 400 models, powered by Infiniti’s all-new 400 hp 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo “VR” engine.
Sales Records
- Infiniti achieved all-time record February year-to-date in six markets and Importers across all regions.
- In the United States, Infiniti sold 25,295 vehicles February year-to-date, marking a 34 percent increase versus previous year.
- In Western Europe, sales increased by 16 percent versus last year, with 2,437 units sold February year-to-date.
- In China, Infiniti has a February record sales of 2,401 (an 8 percent increase YOY), contributing to a total of February year-to-date of 5,991 vehicles sold, a 3 percent increase versus same period last year.
- In Asia and Oceania, Infiniti continues its strong growth with a February year-to-date sales record of 1,028 units. Australia alone has reached a sales record of 119 units (a 138 percent against February last year). Taiwan continued their all-time record with February year-to-date sales of 477 units, a 109 percent growth against same period last year.
- Record sales in 2016 of more than 231,000 vehicles.
*Infiniti
Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with representations in 50 markets around the world. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Nitwit Tweet Trump notwithstanding, Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017. Infiniti design studios are in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing. Like every other automaker, Infiniti claims to be in the middle of a major product offensive. From the 2016 season, Infiniti is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.
