Mercedes engines for new Infiniti Q50

Infiniti has announced the new Q50 sports saloon will be the first car from the Renault-Nissan Alliance to use engines supplied by Daimler AG.

Infiniti’s parent firm has done a deal with Mercedes’ owner to use the German giant’s engines, which will replace the mediocre petrol and diesel engines used by today’s Infinitis.

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Expected shared powerplants will include the 2.2-litre CDI four-cylinder diesel range, in 170hp and 204hp guise, and potentially the Mercedes 3.0-litre V6 CDI that should replace Infiniti’s existing, highly inefficient V6 diesel.

Petrol engines may also be shared – Mercedes has several suitable V6 and four-cylinder petrol motors – but it remains to be seen whether the deal will stretch to Infiniti using the fantastic 5.5-litre twin-turbo AMG V8…

Infiniti is, however, expected to keep its own hybrid system, used to such good effect in the M35h executive saloon.

Full technical details of the new engines will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, where the new range of Infiniti Q50 saloons will make their debut. Unlike today’s G37 model, though, the firm is determined to give this new car a real European twist.

Vice President, Infiniti Africa, Middle East and Europe (AMIE), Bernard Loire:

“The Infiniti Q50 is a world-class sports saloon with an engine line-up that will clearly demonstrate its intentions to be a major player within the European premium market.”

This even stretches to the debut of world-first Direct Adaptive Steering technology. The firm’s keeping details of this under its hat for now, with more again promised for the Geneva show: expect a form of innovative ‘drive by wire’ system that’s almost certain to cause a stir.

Oh, and as a reminder about the new Infiniti naming strategy, it’s ‘Q’ for saloons and coupes, and ‘QX’ for crossovers and SUVs.

Infiniti will also show off the LE Concept, its first all-electric car, and will also prominently display the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 car, complete in livery rich with Infiniti purple.