Infiniti has experimented with performance cars before—remember the Q60 IPL? While it never matched the performance of a BMW M or Mercedes-AMG model, the IPL badge did give the Q60 a bit of extra flair, adding more power and sharper styling. Now, however, Infiniti seems ready to take performance more seriously.
In a recent interview with Automotive News, Nissan Americas’ product planning chief, Ponz Pandikuthira, said the company intends to build a "true performance" car, one that could stand alongside offerings from BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. That would mean significantly more power than what Infiniti’s former IPL badge offered.
Still, according to Pandikuthira, turning Infiniti into a genuine AMG or M rival won’t be easy:
'Customers want ultimate performance but don’t want to compromise on luxury, quietness, and fine design … It’s easy just to do another 20 hp, but how do you deliver 50 percent more horsepower with reliability?'
Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier added in the same Automotive News interview: “It’s about creating a halo—something that people aspire toward. You want to have a product that is the best in class, especially in the premium segment.”
Infiniti has already confirmed that a manual performance sedan—likely the next Q50—is on the way. The company also plans to expand its new performance line to SUVs like the QX65 and QX80. At SEMA, Infiniti even revealed a QX80 concept powered by a GT-R engine. While that exact setup probably won’t reach production, here’s hoping something close will.
