Infiniti Q50 Reimagined: The Skyline-Inspired Sedan America Has Been Waiting For
Infiniti has canceled its plans to replace the discontinued Q50 sedan with an electric vehicle. The upcoming sedan will feature rear-wheel drive, a Nissan Z powertrain, and a manual transmission.
Infiniti is currently facing challenges in its lineup. The decision to discontinue the QX50 and QX55 SUVs earlier than anticipated in the U.S.—models that made up roughly a quarter of Infiniti’s American sales—was a significant setback, even though the brand reportedly earned little to no profit from them. With the aging Infiniti Q50 sedan exiting production last year, Infiniti’s U.S. portfolio is now limited to the larger QX60 and QX80 SUVs, both of which have recently received major updates.
There’s a bright spot for enthusiasts: a new report confirms that a second-generation Q50 sports sedan has been approved and is expected to arrive in the U.S. within the next two years. And it won’t be an electric vehicle—quite the opposite, in fact.
No More Electric Sedan
In recent years, Infiniti has signaled a shift toward a mostly or fully electric lineup, though the brand wasn’t rushing the transition. Plans to replace or supplement the outgoing gas-powered Infiniti Q50 with an all-electric sedan appear to have been shelved—or possibly canceled entirely. Instead, according to Automotive News, a company meeting with dealerships unveiled plans for an exciting second-generation Q50 sports sedan. The details revealed so far are sure to thrill fans of Nissan and Infiniti performance cars.
Basically an American Skyline Sedan, Stick-Shift Included
Automotive News reports that the next-generation Q50 will share its platform with the Japanese-market Nissan Skyline, effectively making it the U.S. version of the iconic JDM sedan. It’s unclear whether this indicates a new platform investment for the current Skyline, given that the previous-generation Q50—essentially the same car—was discontinued in the U.S. after 2024. More likely, the upcoming Q50 will build upon the existing architecture, offering an improved and refined version of its predecessor.
That said, the new Q50’s layout should be far more appealing to enthusiasts than the previous generation ever was. According to the report, the Skyline-based Q50 will arrive in the U.S. with a manual transmission available in at least one trim—a feature the old Q50 never offered. Additionally, power is expected to be sent to the rear wheels, delivering a genuine sports-sedan driving experience.
The Power of Z
The next Infiniti Q50 is expected to draw power from a version of the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 found in the Nissan Z, which currently delivers 400 horsepower. Early reports suggest the Q50’s engine could be tuned to around 450 horsepower. A teaser image shown to dealer groups reportedly features “a swoopy profile, slender headlights, and Skyline-inspired circular taillights,” according to Automotive News. There are also rumors that some dealers have suggested offering an all-wheel-drive option, though it remains to be seen if that will make it to production.
Coming in a Couple of Years
Infiniti Americas Vice President Tiago Castro has all but confirmed that the next-generation Infiniti Q50 will be gas-powered and performance-oriented. Speaking to Automotive News, he described the car as “unapologetic and unexpected” and said it represents “an opportunity to connect back to the roots of the brand.” This aligns with comments Castro made earlier this week in an interview with HARJA, where he hinted at unveiling a new model to U.S. dealers that he believes will be a “home-run product.”
Naturally, we reached out to Infiniti for details on what was shown to dealers. While a spokesperson couldn’t confirm specifics about the Infiniti Q50, they did assure us that a new sports sedan is indeed on the way.
“Infiniti is executing a five-year product plan that includes at least four all-new models: the QX65 Sportback SUV, a high-performance sports sedan, a midsize e-Power hybrid crossover, and an all-electric SUV. Following the all-new QX80 and updated QX60, these vehicles demonstrate Infiniti’s commitment to distinctive design, strategic growth, and a confident future for both retailers and customers.”
-Infiniti spokesperson
While we wait for the next-generation Infiniti Q50, reportedly slated for the second half of 2027, Infiniti’s lineup will expand with the new QX65, along with additional trims for its existing SUVs—including an off-road-focused version of the QX80.
