Infiniti’s all-new Q50 sedan looks the part in standard but the F1-inspired Q50 Eau Rouge concept which debuted in Detroit is a knockout.
Lower and wider than standard and featuring carbon-fibre panels and aerodynamic work from the Red Bull F1 team, the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge gets its name from the famed high-speed turn at the Spa race circuit in Belgium.
Not known for being bashful, Infiniti chief Johan de Nysschen said of the Q50 Eau Rouge: “If we built this car I would expect it to feature over 373kW and 813Nm of torque. Through our various alliance partners we have access to a range of engines featuring this performance capability.” A turbocharged V6 or V8 would seem the most likely.
The design is a collaboration between Infiniti and its championship-winning Red Bull F1 team. And it’s a comprehensive overhaul – only the front doors and arch of the roof pillars are commone with the standard Q50.
As well as the aero kit, new front and rear fenders extend the width by 20mm, dark-chrome detailing replaces the standard bright chrome and the bonnet scores double air vents. The sculptured front wing and rear aero package are the work of Red Bull’s aerodynamicists and were honed in wind-tunnel testing.
And those great-looking 21-inch lightweight alloy wheels fill the wheelarches like all goof high-performance sedans.
Inside, among the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge’s extras are red-infused carbon fibre detailing and an F1-style high-grip sports steering wheel with paddle shifters.
