Revealed at the Detroit Motor Show, the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge is a concept
car that expresses Infiniti's design vision of a high-performance Q50 premium
sports sedan.
Featuring bespoke aerodynamic carbon fiber bodywork, Q50 Eau Rouge is lower and
wider, possessing genuine road presence. This striking design is inspired by
muscularity, aerodynamics, refinement, and understated power.
"If we built this car I would expect it to feature over 500 hp and 600 lb/ft of
torque. Through our various alliance partners we have access to a range of
engines featuring this performance capability which, with a fair amount of
engineering effort, can be developed to exhibit Infiniti character and
accommodated within the Q50 engine bay. The engine we are evaluating for the Q50
Eau Rouge is a big personality, V-cylinder engine with forced induction. I think
our engineers have been waiting for a project like this," said Johan de Nysschen,
President of Infiniti Motor Company Limited.
Infiniti Q50's Powerful Intent
The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept was born out of competition at the very
pinnacle of motorsport, mirroring components from the successful RB9 race car.
Almost every exterior panel is bespoke to the Q50 Eau Rouge, with only the front
doors and the arch of the roof pillars retained as standard components.
The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept visibly hunkers down with menace and intent.
New front and rear fenders extend the current Q50's already broad-shouldered
stance by 20mm, while a larger deck lid spoiler creates air-pressure downforce.
All of this dynamic width is wrapped in a tailored coat of customized red paint.
Framing the paintwork across the Q50 Eau Rouge's athletic physique is
dark-chrome detailing to replace the chrome bright work of the production Q50,
darkening the concept's demeanor dramatically.
Q50's signature double-arch front grille too takes the dark-chrome's matte
finish, as do the glasshouse surrounds, door handles and deck lid accents. The
curving hood is double air-vented as a further suggestion of the capability and
purpose of the Q50 Eau Rouge.
"From our shared passion for performance with Infiniti Red Bull Racing grew a
collective desire to produce an ambitious and powerful Infiniti Q50 design
study. The overall design creates a feeling of refined muscularity," said
Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti's Executive Design Director.
"The design has a number of distinctive Formula-One inspired touches. In
particular, the sculpted front wing assembly and the rear aerodynamic packaging
take their cues from the RB9 race car. The rear fog light packaging is
unmistakably Formula One.
"The Q50 Eau Rouge is a combination of the seductive lines of the Q50 but with a
fiercer design urge in keeping with a high-performance vehicle. The Q50 Eau
Rouge is Infiniti to the power of four; like a bull with its shoulder muscles
flexed, a bull in Infiniti clothing."
Part of the concept's exterior treatments include lightweight 21-inch forged
alloy wheels which fill the wider arches.
