Hey, Oppo, why isn't everybody going mental over the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400?

"PanchoVilleneuve ST" (PanchoVilleneuve) 07/13/2016 at 02:18 • Filed to: None

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Even though it sucks that the “4-door luxury GT-R” Q50 Eau Rouge didn’t happen, Infiniti is selling a sport sedan with the latest version of the GT-R’s V6, downsized to 3 liters and given direct injection, resulting in a 400 horsepower, and 350 lb-ft of torque. Even though you can only get it with a slushbox, this shit should be exiting.

Why is it, then, that nobody is excited about this car? Back in 2002, when the RWD, 350Z-engined G35 arrived and proved that the 3-Series wasn’t the only option for entry-level luxury sports sedans, it seemed like Infiniti was the driver’s choice as far as premium cars from Japan went. And then Infiniti got all confusing from a branding perspective (WHY DOES THE LETTER/NUMBER COMBINATION MEAN NOTHING PRACTICAL ANYMORE?) and Lexus launched the current IS F-Sport (which is fucking awesome) and it was all lost. This looks to be a return to form, and should be getting, like all the hype.

But why isn’t it? I get ignoring Acura, who seems content in making Hondas with more leather and also I guess the NSX, but why this? The 400 Red Sport should be a huge deal, and it saddens me that we have a modern Prince Skyline GT-B and it’s not getting any attention.

That whole Prince Skyline GT-B thing may be my personal automotive fixations overriding logic, but I don’t care.

My citroen won't start > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 02:24

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From the reviews it seems to be a good car that doesn’t excel at anything in particular. Not as fast as an M3, not as well built as a Lexus and not as comfortable as some of the European competition.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 02:26

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Because its fugly with no redeeming qualities.

And this is from somebody whos only japanese luxury car they’ve considered (and still want) is a q45.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 02:28

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If it’s the one with those awesome gatling-gun looking headlights, I can’t argue with your taste.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 02:34

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Motor Trend’s review sums up why pretty well:

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 02:49

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Yep. The Gen 1 (fancy badge, no grill) Gen 3 (gatling gun inspired lights) and m45 (all around good looking) are very high on my list of wants. The new infinitis do nothing for me. It doesnt help that I rented a 2014 2.5 altima. It was terrible.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 03:02

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The 2002-2004 Infiniti M cars are one of those all-time design classics (seriously, that front end) that nobody who is into cars will ever challenge you for buying, despite the fact that they were a commercial failure.

That Gloria was an absolute masterpiece. There wasn’t a line in the design that wasn’t exactly where it should be. It’s seriously the best-looking 4-door of the past 20 years.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 03:04

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I totally agree. If only I couldn’t pick up an x308 xjr for the same price.

Ugh! Decisions decisions.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 03:09

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It comes down to whether or not it’s your only car. Go Infiniti if yes, Jag if no.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 03:15

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Yep and that’s the problem. Infiniti has style by the boatload and exclusivity, while the Jaaag has power and style (both interior and exterior, 300 vs 400 hp). My only problem with m45 is the interior looks like it was based off of a minivan.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 03:31

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I’d agree, but the Nissan Quest of similar vintage was wonderfully weird in its design. It’s a product of the “we just merged with Renault like 2 weeks ago” era, and it shows. It’s French as fuck.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 03:34

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Hey now, I love it and it’s paper shredder-esque center console. I just don’t think it fits the m45 as well as it does the minivan.

Horkin' Up Dangle Hams > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch 07/13/2016 at 04:21

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Came here to post this. As was said in other comments, it just doesn’t seem to be stellar at anything. Cool engine, though.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 04:33

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They should have just released the Eau Rouge years ago.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 05:02

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I’m definitely, totally not biased towards x308s, but as long as you're okay with supercharger problems and the fact that nobody seemed to buy any color except for black, XJR, XJR, XJR, XJR, XJR, XJR.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Honeybunchesofgoats 07/13/2016 at 05:06

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Hey black is good with me! And supercharger problems can’t be worse than tensioner problems right?

(N/a x308 owner)

Honeybunchesofgoats > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 05:15

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In theory, tensioner problems only happen once, but like diamonds, supercharger problems are forever.

Or at least I really, really hope so as a fellow N/A owner.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Honeybunchesofgoats 07/13/2016 at 05:29

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Well, supposedly, the problems are due to plastic tensioner guides so an aluminum guide replacement should be forever right? That coupled with the thermo housing and water pump impeller and you have a reliable engine. (Too lazy to link my write up from my old burner account shark-attack but it’s out there somewhere.)

Manny05x > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 05:42

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Because it looks like a Mazda.

Honeybunchesofgoats > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 06:05

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Yup! Thermostat (and its stupid plastic housing), impeller, and plastic tensioners were all the first things I changed out on the car.

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Honeybunchesofgoats 07/13/2016 at 06:16

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Me too! Down with plastic! Hooray for aluminum!

LongbowMkII > Manny05x 07/13/2016 at 06:55

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It is red.

If it looked as good as a Mazda it'd probably get some attention.

spanfucker retire bitch > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 07:15

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The fact you can get the Red Sport in Blue just means that Infiniti’s marketing department should be fired en masse.

Dave the car guy , still here > Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes 07/13/2016 at 07:37

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Exactly. There is another reason if you lived in a road salt state. We got a Nissan product for my daughter, in five yrs everytime I tried to work on anything most of it was rusted together. A Sawzall , cut-off wheel and Dremel tool became favorite tools..

Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes > Dave the car guy , still here 07/13/2016 at 07:45

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I love my dremel. But for different reasons. Luckily I haven’t had to deal with much rust.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 08:23

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I remember John Phillips at C&D devoting an entire column to panning how terrible that cockpit was to actually use back when it was new.

http://www.caranddriver.com/columns/john-p…

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 08:46

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Because it is a pig. Yes 400 hp is impressive, but this thing weighs over 4,000 lbs. The competition is down a little on power, but also down on weight: 340i-xDrive,Auto=320/372 C450AMG=362/3748 S4=333/3869, TLX,SH-AWD=290/3874 IS350,AWD=305/3737 XE,AWD=340/3795... it ends up kind of doing the same thing as the GT-R - using technology (the turbos and trick steering) to overcome being bulky. That’s exciting on a supercar... it’s not exciting on an entry-luxury sedan.

and 100 more > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 08:59

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I worked with a guy for a short time who owned one of these... and by “owned”, I mean PWNED. He used to beat on that thing like a bad dog. Literally, chirped the tires at every light. I do not exaggerate.

He basically drove it like he hated it, and wanted it to die early, so he could convince the wife to get what HE wanted (I recall having a conversation with him along those lines). Problem is, they had four kids, so whatever he wound up with would likely be another van.

Textured Soy Protein > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 09:11

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The reason the G was so popular was because it had that relatively cheap speed vibe going on. Especially once they became plentiful on the used market. “Look it’s a Z car that’s practical and you can mod it and be just as douchey as a BMW but it won’t break (as much)!”

I think car folks are kind of ignoring the Q50 because when it first came out it got knocked for its weird drive-by-wire steering and sorta floppy chassis.

So the 400 comes along and it’s got the cool motor, and supposedly Infiniti made the steering better, but in a not-particularly-exciting car that doesn’t have the reputation of “bruh check out my super deep concave deep dish deep lip low offset deep deep rims and burnt titanium exhaust tips bruh,” and we’re spoiled nowadays with cars like the Ford Flex of all things coming with a 355 hp twin turbo V6, so it doesn’t really move the needle.

mrbaits > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 07/13/2016 at 09:16

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It weighs 3850.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 09:30

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What the hell? For the first time in my life I realized that Infiniti was spelled differently than the mathematical concept.

WiscoProud > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 10:59

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I think it looks good, but the lack of a manual kills it amongst the actual enthusiast buyer. The G35/37 could at be optioned with a manual, which made them a “legit” sports sedan/coupe in people’s eyes. I know most people won't buy the manual, but it adds legitimacy to the sporting aspirations.

wiffleballtony > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/13/2016 at 12:43

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Those performance numbers are hardly noteworthy. It’s also ugly. And expensive.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > mrbaits 07/13/2016 at 14:12

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AWD is 4005, the 3850 is for RWD. I was looking at AWD versions because the Benz and Audi are AWD only. I stand by it being heavy in compared to the competition for RWD too: Lexus 3593, Acura 3596, Jag 3605, BMW 3695. Perhaps the most interesting thing about all of this is that xDrive only adds 25 lb. to a 3-series.

Nauraushaun > PanchoVilleneuve ST 07/14/2016 at 05:56

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It’s not as powerful as the GT-R and is auto-only. Meh. Also weighs an awful lot