All the articles I've read point to a NEW 7-speed transmission. The newest thing in the shed is actually the SpeedShift DCT in the A/CLA 45 AMG. Perhaps they've found a way to strengthen it dramatically? I know it's transversely mounted in the AMG, and in the SLS it's like the GTR with the transmission in the rear. My guess would be that their using very similar technologies from both, but mounting it "normally" (read: longitudinally, aft-of the engine, but not rear mounted). Nissan/Infiniti current 7-speed is a JATCO JR710E, so if it's all new, it must be a new MB one, or they made a new one.

EDIT: So the QX80 has 414 lb-ft or torque with the JR710E, and the Q50ER is pushing 443 lb-ft. Maybe Nissan/Infiniti/JATCO developed a new 7-speed transmission to handle 450 lb-ft or so. Either that, or they just beefed up the JR710E to handle the extra 30 lb-ft.

Agreed. This car will be very strange to cross shop. I said it before that the cost will be ~$100k just simply because of the performance. You're talking a car that has M5 power with M3 sizing. This will DESTROY the mid-size car class (C63, M3, CTS-V, RS4). Heck, it'll probably give the full-size class a good run for their money (M5, E63, RS6). If they can keep the weight close to 3700lbs, they should be good.

As I said above, $100k. They don't need it to sell well. They just need it to destroy everything. Look at the GTR. It doesn't even sell 1500 units annually, and yet it's the de-facto benchmark for $100k cars. And your point about M3 size for M5 [power and] money is the EXACT reason people will buy it. It's the perfect size with monster power. No one plays in this space, so they can charge up the wazoo. No one will cross shop this with an M or AMG. They're too different with respect to size and feel. People at this level don't care for a $10k difference, you buy the car you want.

Regarding the improvements, you can bet that the suspension and drivetrain will be revised for sure. They don't need to go all CF everything like BMW since they don't play that game. Do you see AMG going CF everything? Nope. BMW wants to kill it on performance, specifically on the track, and thus that's their edge. Infiniti doesn't need to do this. They honestly just need to copy what the C63 did for MB. Good engine, good driving feel, and EMOOOOTIONSSSSS. The C63 is not the fastest, or the most luxurious, but the sum of its parts makes for something that toys with your heartstrings. You WANT it. The sound, the engine, the tail-happy nature. Infiniti needs to do this, but with a bit more poise. It'll be the SPEED, the power, the technology. The GTR for your two kids in the back. Plus, if they make that 20 layer paint standard, it'll stand out EVERYWHERE it goes.

 

I like the way you think crazjayz.

 

I agree that if this car makes it to production, its primary role is to be a statement piece, an advertisement on wheels, something to ruffle up some feathers in the industry. A "GTR sedan" just sounds compelling (to me, at least).

Totally agree on the above about the competition (or lack thereof) and cross-shopping, buyer on an E63 does not likely visit an Infinti showroom. Still can't exactly put my finger on who would buy it, Nissan loyalists that hit the lotto/got a promotion?

 

this car sounds exciting. GTR luxury sedan.
but I can't afford it.

 

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept | Official specs, photos, and pricing | Digital Trends

I bumped into this website and I dont know if it is a reliable source or where they got their info from but it says the Q50ER will be priced around 75k. If this is correct that is not a bad price which will kill the market. Hopefully its true though.

 

Hahaha this makes me think I spend way too much on food. I might need I get on this ramen diet. The ER looks amazing. I really like the look of the q50 and I want that gtr engine! I've always been a coupe guy but as I get older these sedans are getting more and more appealing.

 

Fellow ramen and hotdog eater!!!! We can make the soup stock in bulk and then make our own pho. Let's do it!!!

 

Cool find. However that info seems kind of dubious to me. If more mainstream automotive journalism sources (autoblog, jalopnik, etc.) don't have pricing info, they dont either and are just guessing. There's a few innacuracies and a lot of conjecture. But if they are correct about full time 50/50 AWD and the $75K price point, I'm on it.

 

If the GTR with medicore interior costs 100k, how does the Infiniti "GTR" with more luxury interior cost 75k?

 

There are probably other performance parts that go into the GTR that drive its cost higher. Im assuming the overall performance of the GTR is much stronger than the Eau Rouge.

 

No way they make this car and charge twice the amount of a Q50s, no matter the performance. What other car has a model that cost twice as much as a fully loaded "regular" version? GT500 comes close but still not there. C63 black series maybe. More likely if produced it will be toned down some, both in looks and performance to keep cost reasonable and competitive.

 

it will be somewhere between $62k ~ $69k base price (M3 price range). No way it will be higher than that. The engine development costs have been recovered long time ago with the GTR, leaving a higher margin.
Besides the engine, bigger brakes, suspension, exhaust, and transmission I do not see anything of considerate cost. The Q50 starts at $37k, add $25k for all the extras

 

I agree that some how they have got to get the car in the 58-62k base range, optioned out 72-74k tops. And to achieve that I think the power is going to have be lowered a bit. I say about 450-500, I doubt this car will reach production making 560. It's definitely going to be in the m3, c63, is-f range. These numbers are just to maybe stir up a little commotion amongst the auto community. But realistically infiniti knows they cannot go and charge 90k-100k for a beefed up q50. Just wouldn't work. With that being said the boosted 4 banger would really be a nice option to add to the mix of offerings here in the US, hopefully that makes it.

 

Almost every AMG. For example:

• C250 Sport $52,950 - C63 AMG Black Series $129,725 (a better comparison would have been a fully loaded 507 edition which would be around $89k)
• E250 BlueTec $70,090 - E63 AMG S $126,725
• S550 $141,290 - S65 AMG ~$250,000

Sure, they're not quite 100% more expensive than their fully loaded base models, but they're definitely getting very close. For a BMW comparison, 528i would be $82,080 , and a M5 would be $137,505.

As I said before, $75k would be very much within reason, and even a bargain. Using the ratio of the BMW, the Q50ER would be around $93k, from a fully loaded Q50S Hybrid price of $55k.

 

Call me an a-hole but I actually hope it's priced a little toward the higher side. That would allow a lot of the goodies that make the concept car so nice to be kept in the production version and also keep it a little more exclusive. Maybe a $75K+ price point would keep the ricers and plasti dippers out of it at least a little bit longer. Possibly entice a few more high end aftermarket companies to support it with product rather than the exact same set of coilovers that are available for the G with 14 different brand names and paint jobs.