Bye bye VQ on the Q50....

[MexicoCityM3]

At least on the entry level one.....

"Infiniti boss Johan de Nysschen connected the all-too-close dots during the Detroit auto show, explaining that the new Q50—that's the G37 replacement, remember?—will be offered in the U.S. with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine designed by Mercedes-Benz. De Nysschen was speaking with Autoweek, and Infiniti reps have since confirmed to us the accuracy of the quotes."

http://blog.caranddriver.com/infiniti-q50-will-get-turbocharged-four-from-mercedes-benz/

[CALL_911]

I called this, but nooooooooooooo

I hope the VQ is still offered and this 4-pot is a replacement for the G25.

[MX793]

A 2.0T would be a viable alternative to the VQ25.  At least as much power and more torque.  I highly doubt they'd make it the sole engine.

I'm not sure G25s even sold all that well.  I don't think I've ever seen one and, IIRC, it was dropped from the lineup a year ago.  Kind of surprised they'd even attempt a smaller engined, entry level version again.

[Raza]

A 2.0T would be a viable alternative to the VQ25.  At least as much power and more torque.  I highly doubt they'd make it the sole engine.

I'm not sure G25s even sold all that well.  I don't think I've ever seen one and, IIRC, it was dropped from the lineup a year ago.  Kind of surprised they'd even attempt a smaller engined, entry level version again.

I didn't know it existed until I heard news they killed it. 

I see tons of IS250s and 328s.  Why can't a small engined G/Q50 sell?

[GoCougs]

The G25 sold very poorly. The Infiniti marque doesn't have the level of panache of Lexus, BMW or MB and as a result a snob bait competitor to the C250, IS250, and lesser 3er had almost no audience.

[MX793]

I didn't know it existed until I heard news they killed it. 

I see tons of IS250s and 328s.  Why can't a small engined G/Q50 sell?

In the case of the G25, Infiniti failed to offer some of the must haves for premium cars.  Navigation and the premium Bose stereo system weren't available in the G25, whereas the IS250 can be had with pretty much every bell and whistle that it's 3.5L sibling offers.

[GoCougs]

In the case of the G25, Infiniti failed to offer some of the must haves for premium cars.  Navigation and the premium Bose stereo system weren't available in the G25, whereas the IS250 can be had with pretty much every bell and whistle that it's 3.5L sibling offers.

Pretty much nobody buying an IS250 or C200 cares about that stuff. They want the cheapest path of entry into the badge.

[cawimmer430]

Pretty much nobody buying an IS250 or C200 cares about that stuff. They want the cheapest path of entry into the badge.

Or they feel that the performance of these cars is all that they need. It's more than sufficient for their needs.

[afty]

The G25 was significantly slower than the 328i and the A4 2.0 (like 1.5 seconds to 60), and even a bit slower than the IS250.  It also lacked some popular options that you can get on the G37, like a nav system.  IMO it was a half assed attempt at the market, and I'm not surprised it failed.

A 2.0 turbo though, that would be competitive with the 328i, A4, and ATS.  I bet they're going the ATS route with the 2.0 turbo as the base engine and the 3.7 as the upgrade. 

[Raza]

The G25 was significantly slower than the 328i and the A4 2.0 (like 1.5 seconds to 60), and even a bit slower than the IS250.  It also lacked some popular options that you can get on the G37, like a nav system.  IMO it was a half assed attempt at the market, and I'm not surprised it failed.

A 2.0 turbo though, that would be competitive with the 328i, A4, and ATS.  I bet they're going the ATS route with the 2.0 turbo as the base engine and the 3.7 as the upgrade.

Yeah.  In a recent C&D comparison, the G25 was almost 2 seconds off the 328i and was a full 2 seconds behind the S60 T6.

[CJ]

Though the S60 T6 is actually a decently quick car.

[Raza]

Though the S60 T6 is actually a decently quick car.

Fastest to 60 in the test (also last place).

(The 328i and A4 were only .1" behind)

[Xer0]

This is probably the same engine in the CLA250 so ~210hp.  Not bad

[GoCougs]

Or they feel that the performance of these cars is all that they need. It's more than sufficient for their needs.

Nah, it's vanity - a great many (Americans) simply want the badge.

[GoCougs]

Fastest to 60 in the test (also last place).

(The 328i and A4 were only .1" behind)

And the G25 was 3rd in test owing to best handling/steering/fun to drive of the whole bunch (and I completely agree).

[GoCougs]

The G25 was significantly slower than the 328i and the A4 2.0 (like 1.5 seconds to 60), and even a bit slower than the IS250.  It also lacked some popular options that you can get on the G37, like a nav system.  IMO it was a half assed attempt at the market, and I'm not surprised it failed.

A 2.0 turbo though, that would be competitive with the 328i, A4, and ATS.  I bet they're going the ATS route with the 2.0 turbo as the base engine and the 3.7 as the upgrade. 

Actually, the G25 is the volume seller in Japan (as the Skyline 250GT) so basically it was a "hey, we already have this let's give it a shot" exercise.

The other hitch is the G25 was only ~$2,500 cheaper than the G37.

I will say this, I've had a few G25s as service loaners and the 2.5L VQ is noticeably smoother than the 3.7L.

[Raza]

And the G25 was 3rd in test owing to best handling/steering/fun to drive of the whole bunch (and I completely agree).

Handling, steering, and fun-to-drive, all things you've railed against previously. 

[GoCougs]

Handling, steering, and fun-to-drive, all things you've railed against previously. 

Nobody cares about that stuff.

[SVT666]

Nobody cares about that stuff.

Everybody on this forum does...except you and CJ that is.

[Raza]

Everybody on this forum does...except you and CJ that is.

CJ cares.  He just wants them all to be bad,

[Secret Chimp]

CJ cares.  He just wants them all to be bad,

As long as your butt is warm and you can't feel or hear anything, it is a good car.

[hotrodalex]

As long as your butt is warm and you can't feel or hear anything, it is a good car.

So basically a bed.

[2o6]

A casket.

[cawimmer430]

Nah, it's vanity - a great many (Americans) simply want the badge.

And that's a great sign of how powerful the badges of certain brands are.

[GoCougs]

And that's a great sign of how powerful the badges of certain brands are.

"Great" sign sure, but completely laughable, esp. when it's sacrificial (can't afford it, better cars available).

[cawimmer430]

"Great" sign sure, but completely laughable, esp. when it's sacrificial (can't afford it, better cars available).

Often it has to do with "How much power do I need?". Let's be realistic here. These base model premium cars aren't slow.

[Raza]

Often it has to do with "How much power do I need?". Let's be realistic here. These base model premium cars aren't slow.

This time I agree with you.  328i and A4 2.0T hit 60 in 5.6 seconds in that C&D comparison. 

[Vinsanity]

Often it has to do with "How much power do I need?". Let's be realistic here. These base model premium cars aren't slow.

If you're only buying based on what you need, then what else are you paying extra for besides the fancy badge?

[cawimmer430]

I'm not sure why it's so hard for some of you guys to accept entry-level premium cars.

Not every luxury buyer cares about hitting 100 km/h in under six seconds. Some people have different priorities and they feel that an entry-level luxury car is all that they need. They might not opt for the most powerful model in the lineup, but they still can enjoy the luxury experience with the same features (standard or optional).

Buying a luxury car is never financially logical. If people were logical we'd all be falling asleep behind the wheel of Camcords!

[TurboDan]

"Great" sign sure, but completely laughable, esp. when it's sacrificial (can't afford it, better cars available).

What's better is what the consumer believes is better for him or her.