In 2009, Infiniti->ke36 replaced the G35->ke1384 with the more powerful G37->ke2402 Now another switch is set to take place in 2014. This time around, however, the model is not changing just the engine, but it will adopt a new nomenclature and design too.

The new Q50 has received a smooth yet dynamic design language, with LED-infused headlights, a "double arch" grille and a crescent-shaped C-pillar. For the interior, Infiniti has placed higher-quality materials and user-focused advanced technology.

In the U.S. market, the Q50 will be offered with a standard 3.7-liter V-6 engine, but customers interested in environment can opt for a new-to-the-model hybrid version that will combine a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and an electric motor.

The new Infiniti Q50 made its world debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show and will be put on sale in the summer 2013 in both standard and hybrid versions.

UPDATE 03/21/13: A leaked document guide for the new Infiniti Q50 reveals further details on the new sports sedan. The document reveals that the gasoline-powered Q50 will be offered in three trim levels: base, premium and sport, while the hybrid version will only come in premium and sport versions. Both models will be offered in AWD and RWD versions. Customers will have to choose between eight exterior colors and three interior colors combined with aluminum and wood insertions. There will also be lots of packages that will offer the clients the possibility to further customized their models: Technology Package, Deluxe Technology Package, Moonroof Package, Deluxe Touring Package and Navigation Package. Click here to see the guide.

UPDATE 04/02/13: Infiniti USA has launched an official configurator for the new Q50 sedan. Thanks to the new site, you will be able to configure each version of the new Q50, selecting trims, colors and packages.

UPDATE 06/25/13: Infiniti has released a pre-release price hike on the new Q50. You can see all of the details after the jump.

UPDATE 07/08/13: Infiniti has announced the release date for the Q50. See the details after the jump.

2014 Infiniti Q50

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Infiniti Q50
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 328
  • Torque: 269
  • Transmission: SEven-Speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

For the new Q50, Infiniti is offering a new design language, with smooth yet dynamic character lines. Up front, the new sedan has received a new "double arch" grille, dynamic arch roofline and Crescent-cut C-pillar. For the Q50 sports models, the front end will receive a sportier look with a waved-mesh pattern surface and chrome surrounding the front grille. The car's new headlamps almost have a human look and feature LED lights.

On the side, you will notice those elegant arched lines initially seen in the Essence Concept. The rear will be distinguished by a double-arch trunk line and a dual-exhaust system.

Customers can to choose from a new color palette specially designed for the Q50 and numerous exterior options like a power sliding and tilting glass sunroof.

Interior

The elegance of the exterior continues to the interior, where Infiniti combines higher-quality materials and user-focused advanced technology. Both front and rear seats feature an ergonomic design and special attention was paid to the driver’s position. The seats have been developed to help distribute body pressure across a wider range of the upper seating surface to help avoid pressure points on long drives.

The instrument panel features the same "double wave" design language seen on the exterior, updated with a new asymmetrical flow from the top of the center cluster to the wide center console.

For the interior, customers can choose between numerous fabrics and colors, including available leather-appointed seating surfaces. Three interior colors are offered: Wheat, Graphite and Stone. The most elegant combination however is a "Kacchu" aluminum inspired by traditional Samurai armaments and genuine maple wood trim, which is representative of the 16th century Urushi painting technique.

Engine

Under the hood, Infiniti will place a choice of two powertrains. The first one will be an updated 3.7-liter aluminum-alloy DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine that delivers a total of 328 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. The second one is hybrid version that combines a 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy V-6 with an innovative one-motor/two-clutch motor control. The V-6 engine delivers a total of 296 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, while the electric motor adds another 67 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque.

Both engines will be mated to an advanced seven-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual-shift mode and available steering column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters.

In standard format, all Q50 models deliver power to the rear wheels only, but there is an all-wheel-drive option available on all trim levels.

Suspension and Brakes

The new Q50 will be offered with a four-wheel independent multi-link suspension featuring a single-pivot double-wishbone design up front and a multi-link design with coil springs and Dual Flow Path shock absorbers for the rear. Sport models will be offered with a sport suspension and an improvement in front body stiffness.

The model will be offered with standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with machine-finished surface and 225/55R17 all-season run-flat tires. The wheels will be combined with four-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes with a four-wheel anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution and Brake Assist. Sport models will receive upgraded rotors, four-piston front calipers and two-piston rears.

Prices

The Q50 will hit dealerships and deliveries will start on August 5th, 2013. If you are one of the 3,650 buyers that ordered one during the pre-sale event at the New York International Auto Show, you have until October 31st, 2013 to complete your purchase.

Model

Engine/Transmission/Drive

MSRP

Q50 3.7

3.7-liter V6 / 7AT/ RWD

$36,700

Q50 3.7 AWD

3.7-liter V6 / 7AT/ AWD

$38,500

Q50 3.7 Premium

3.7-liter V6 / 7AT / RWD

$39,550

Q50 3.7 Premium AWD

3.7-liter V6 / 7AT /AWD

$41,350

Q50S 3.7

3.7-liter V6 / 7AT /RWD

$43,200

Q50S 3.7 AWD

3.7-liter V6 / 7AT /AWD

$45,000



2014 Infiniti Q50 Hybrid sports sedan pricing:

Model

Engine/Transmission/Drive

MSRP

Q50 Hybrid Premium

3.5-liter HEV / 7AT / RWD

$43,950

Q50 Hybrid AWD Premium

3.5-liter HEV / 7AT / AWD

$45,750

Q50S Hybrid

3.5-liter HEV / 7AT / RWD

$46,350

Q50S Hybrid AWD

3.5-liter HEV / 7AT / AWD

$48,150


Competition

2014 Cadillac CTS

The all-new Cadillac CTS is set to do battle with brand-new Q50 sedan. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a peppy 272 horsepower that allows the sedan to hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. An available 3.6-liter V-6 engine pumps out 321 horsepower, but there is no announcement of its 0-to-60 mph time. the top-line Vsport models features a heavily modified, twin-turbocharged version of the mid-level 3.6-liter engine that pumps out 420 horsepower and launches the CTS to 60 mph in only 4.6 seconds.

2013 BMW 3 Series

In 2012, the sixth-gen 3 Series sedan debuted and in 2013, Bimmer reintroduced the base-level 320i model. The 320i and its 180-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine is no match for the Q50, but its $32,550 base price makes it a nice option for younger buyers, plus the optional xDrive AWD system only adds $2,000 to the base MSRP.

The 328i features a turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter engine that pushes the output to 240 horsepower that helps it get a little closer to the Q50’s base output, but its $36,850 base price is slightly higher than the base Q50 and the xDrive AWD system puts it right in line with Q50 AWD.

Lastly, the 335i comes in at $43,150 ($45,150 with xDrive) and features a 300-horsepower, 3.0-liter engine that puts the Bimmer on the same performance playing field as the Q50.