Quick Highlights:
- Infiniti brings back the Q50 as a performance-enhanced sports sedan for 2027.
- With the Nissan Z’s twin-turbo V6 engine, likely tuned to exceed 450 horsepower, it promises a thrilling performance.
- It will come with a six-speed manual, along with rear-wheel drive as standard—all-wheel drive could be a future option.
- It is intended to be a spiritual successor to the G35, targeting enthusiasts who value the driving experience.
Infiniti is quietly plotting a return to the kind of sports sedan enthusiasts have been craving with the 2027 Q50, according to a report from Automotive News. Pulled from showrooms after 2024, the Q50 is back with rear-wheel drive, the twin-turbo V6 from the Nissan Z, and power that could exceed 450 horsepower to make even seasoned drivers sit up and take notice. Add a six-speed manual transmission, and it promises an exhilarating, driver-focused experience.
Castro told The Drive that the 2027 Infiniti Q50 will be “unapologetic and unexpected,” built to deliver a visceral driving experience that “screams” performance.
The comeback isn’t just about raw power. Infiniti had flirted with the future, teasing the all-electric Vision Qe concept in 2023. But the market told a different story. With EV demand softening, Infiniti is flipping the script—returning to pure, visceral driving excitement. This isn’t a compromise; it’s a celebration of what made the Q50 and its spiritual predecessor, the G35, legendary: a car designed to connect the driver to every gear, every acceleration, and every corner.
The Return of Enthusiast-Focused Driving
The 2027 Q50S, as it may or may not have been referred to during Nissan’s recent dealer meeting in Las Vegas, will be taking advantage of the Nissan Skyline chassis and combining it with the engine setup of the Nissan Z sports car with its twin-turbo V6. Dashed snapshots of the meeting included some stylish touches, including circular taillights reportedly inspired by the Skyline. Though, among other touches that directly reference Infiniti’s heritage, these modifications also give this new sedan a warm nod to the old Skyline.
Standard for the Q50S is rear-wheel drive, with an all-wheel-drive option to come. “Automotive News” also reports that the Infiniti nameplate is considering coming out with a Red Sport performance trim, indicating the brand’s return to performance driving.
The Q50S will utilize the Nissan Z’s engine, which delivers 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque in Sport and Performance trims when paired with the six-speed manual transmission, and may offer more aggressive variants exceeding 450 horsepower. Regardless of placement, the driving experience will be designed for aficionados who are seeking precision, speed, and connected driving.
A Modern Sports Sedan With Heritage
This new Q50 revival targets driving enthusiasts and collectors, particularly those who grew up with the beloved Infiniti G35 coupe. The sedan should be relatively compact, similar in size to a BMW 3-Series, and will cater to buyers seeking a car that prioritizes driver engagement over utility.
An Infiniti spokesperson confirmed that the brand’s five-year product strategy includes four all-new models: the QX65 sportback SUV, a high-performance sports sedan, a midsize e-POWER hybrid crossover, and an all-electric SUV. While the Q50S has not been officially confirmed, dealer reports strongly indicate it will be part of this plan, likely assembled in Japan alongside the Nissan Z and Skyline.
The Road Ahead
Car enthusiasts are anxious to see if Infiniti can be successful in this revival. Cars like the Kia Stinger have demonstrated that there is a market for performance-oriented sedans, but many luxury brands have lost the plot when it comes to engagement factoring into sales. Infiniti offering a manual transmission along with Z-inspired power can bring back an underserved but passionate segment of the market.
If the Q50S delivers a likely over 450-horsepower, stick-shift, rear-wheel-drive experience, it may be one of few available moments of pure driving thrills in an overladen SUV-EV world. Fans of the brand and performance sedans will be counting down the days until the second half of 2027.
Don’t just read about it, be ready to experience the 2027 Q50S.
Sources: Automotive News, The Drive, Car and Driver, and official Infiniti/Nissan reports.
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