Personal opinion: I think it cheapens the Q50. They should leave that on the Q40 or whatever is going to end up being lower in class.

 

Personal opinion: I think it cheapens the Q50.

I'm pretty sure that's the point. Plus, compete with 3 series and Lexus IS.

There were 3 reasons the G25 tanked...

1. It didn't get much better mileage than the G37, and was underpowered in comparison.
2. Wasn't that much cheaper in price
3. Options were very limited... to the point that no navigation was available.

It will be a different story if the 2.0 actually has a MPG advantage and is not limited in options. It actually may become the more popular powertrain option and may offer a manual as well.

To offer a smaller engine does not cheapen a car... all of it's competition does.

This.

And I'm pretty sure Victor is on the right track as far as future powerplants goes. Watch what they put in the Q60 next year - that's what we'll have in the Q50. Think 300hp and 400hp variants. Turbo or lots of turbo.

 

There were 3 reasons the G25 tanked...

1. It didn't get much better mileage than the G37, and was underpowered in comparison.
2. Wasn't that much cheaper in price
3. Options were very limited... to the point that no navigation was available.

It will be a different story if the 2.0 actually has a MPG advantage and is not limited in options. It actually may become the more popular powertrain option and may offer a manual as well.

To offer a smaller engine does not cheapen a car... all of it's competition does.

 

It's already available outside the US. Buyers are a different demographic: not interested in maximum performance but do appreciate its design. I say maximum performance because 210 HP is more than adequate for a smallish mid-size sedan. I remember when BMW's 325 felt quick (compared to a 318 or 320) and it "only" had 189 hp.

 

Maxima 1997 had 190hp, but due to the friendliest power distribution band it was a blast to drive

 

Maybe infiniti will shock everyone and start it at something like 30K for a base.
It needs to come in at a competitive price.

It would be awesome if they could shave a little bit of weight to so it's got some zip, but doubt that will happen.
If you had an AWD SPORT, my thinking is it would be heavy for a 2.0L turbo.

2WD premium will probably be ok on weight.

 

This will bring out the ricers who will shave all the badges. I liked the higher price point of the Q50 because it kept it from being a G35 coupe, for now.

 

We had a meeting with Infiniti Corporate a few days ago. There will definitely be a 2.0T Q50. They will also introduce a 3.0 Twin Turbo edition as well a little later. They didn't mention if they are keeping the 3.7L Naturally Aspirated or if that will be replaced with another option also. Ultimately there will be three engine options in the future. The QX30 will definitely have the 2.0T as it is based off of the Mercedes GLA platform and engine. Infiniti may do some other changes but these are the plans for now.

 

I'll admit I didn't really care for the G25. It was a bit slower and the lack of options probably didn't fare well. But I think these differences would help with a Q50 2.0:
-Turbo in the 2.0 will help with the torque that was absent in the VQ25
-Fuel economy is likely to be much improved, along with NVH
-Infiniti may open up options on a 2.0 like how you can get a loaded Q50S 2.0T in Europe

If you have a broader range available, you can appeal to target markets more easily since they can choose their option packages, their engine, and the price points that fits their needs. I am hoping though that you can option up a 2.0 so that a Q50 with that engine could be more comparable to something like the 328 where people can get that and still have it look just like a 335, minus the badge and exhaust tips.

 

The Diesel Q50 is out there but not HERE!

 

There is a REAL chance Infiniti will bring a 2.0 turbo motor to the Q50 line up. Considering they are about to release a QX50 (and a turbo option there).

My only hang up is that it might cause the Hybrid V6 Sport model to scratch the performance cost ceiling as the Lexus LS450h. (over 60k).

 

I don't like the idea of a 2.0t in the Q one bit... the chassis is (imo) built for a v6/v8....not a 2.0t maxed out with FI. I find it very cheapening to the brand.

 

Exactly. Now if the goal was to lightly refresh the Q40 and give that the 2.0T, them I'm all for it. In the Q50, I question the direction they're taking it.

And yes, I meant that it cheapens the image of the Q50 substantially. I believe that the existing VQ37 should be retired from this model and that a 3.0T and 3.0TT should be made alongside hybrid versions of one of them.

 

o_0 Seriously... Its an entry level product! It is the only car in it's class that doesn't offer a model with less than 300hp. Does the 320i and 328i cheapen the image of the 3-Series? ...uh no. Infiniti adding a smaller engine is not going to make your car seem cheaper. If anything it'll boost the image because you'll have the perceived more expensive model.

 

The funny part about comparing the Q50 and the 3-series is that the BMW is a SERIES. Making one model (Q50) with a wide span of features and engines and pricing throws a lot of mud in the water for potential buyers.
The change in naming convention was already a challenge for the brand. The last thing they need is more mud, so to speak.

 

Obviously Infiniti could not go with Q537 (Q520T, Q530TT etc) naming scheme - they really shot themselves in the leg with that "Q"
Germans are better with organizing things properly >


So, the problem the way I see it:
WHen BMW owner is asked what you drive? He answers proudly: 335

when Infiniti Q50 owner asked the same - the answer will be cowardly phrased as: "Infiniti Q50, no, not that cheapo 2.0T - I paid much more moola for 6cyl 3.7 engine"

 

Because everything is about what other people think...

 

People who care what other people think get MB CLA250 - the Honda Civic of MB

 

What I don't entirely understand is why they are toning the engine down. The 2.0t makes 241 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque in the C300. In the Q50 2.0t, it's 208 hp and 258 lb.-ft. They also list a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of over 7 seconds for the Q50 versus low 6's for the Benz. Is MB making them tone down the engine as a provision for getting to use, manufacture, and distribute it?

 

Just guessing but I would guess that Infiniti is opting for a lower boost that will improve wear rates. The high boost turbos have lots of blow-by around the piston rings, which makes changing oil much more regularly a necessity. And then there is the valve stem sealing issue with positive intake manifold pressures. And the valve cover needs to be able to withstand hundreds of pounds of force that will try launch it through the hood of your car (unless it is vented).

If an engine is only designed to last 10,000 miles, then boost as much as possible. But if you want an engine to last 200,000, you have to reduce the boost. Which is why Infiniti will be introducing a 3.0 L Turbo. It is likely the sweet spot between boost/power and wear - at least for now.

I personally think turbo is the way to go from a power density point of view. But there are lots of little issues associated with a positive intake manifold pressure. The higher the boost, the bigger these challenges become.

I don't think the Infiniti community would like the idea of changing oil every 2500-3000 miles. I think the Benz community would be much more amenable to the higher oil change rate IMHO.

 

more.....

Just to emphasize the positive pressure issue associated with a turbo, lets assume that the intake manifold that is under pressure has a top surface area of 1 square foot. It probably has more but lets use this value as an estimate.

And, lets assume that the boost pressure from a turbo is 1 atmosphere or 14.7 psi. This is a pretty high number. Most turbo boost pressures are much lower (1/2 or less).

In theory, this kind of configuration would make the power of a 4 cylinder engine equal to an 8 cylinder engine because you can get twice the amount of air in each of the 4 cylinders.

The math is simple:
1 square foot = 144 square inches
144 square inches * 14.7 pounds/square inch = 2116.8 pounds

2116 pounds of force is a lot of force to contain.

 

We just had training on Wednesday, and they will be releasing the 2.0L turbo, as well as the 3.0L twin turbo that is going in the coupe. These will arrive early this next Spring before the coupe comes out. Should be interesting to see the differences in performance between the motors coming out!

 

Coupe?! That should be sexy.

 

By the way, my typing is "uqually" way better.

 

I couldn't even spell "If" correctly in the darn title.

 

I refuse to drive turbo - never have and hope never will

 

Why?

 

Since I wasn't sure about driving a turbo I'm more keen on the possibility of buying out my Q50 3.7 at the end of my lease. Drove an Acura RDX trade-in when I was at the dealership and the turbo lag was awful in traffic. I know that most modern TT engines have this mostly solved. I also would want to find out about reliability. My friend had a Volvo with the turbo I5 and the turbo got damaged because the previous owner didn't idle the car long enough after driving and the flow of oil to cool the turbo stopped. Meanwhile, if they supercharged the engine in a Q50 I'd be all over it.

 

I lived with a 2.3L turbo 5 speed T-bird for many years. '83-'02. I'm sure that was a world apart from modern turbo engines but I would not want the 50 to go with a turbo engine. I re-built it, balanced, blueprinted, ported, polished, water cooled the turbo... I only chose it because of the sporty style, seats, gauges, suspension, air dam and on paper had close to the same HP. In my day replacing turbos was replacing tires, normal wear and tear.

I really like the 3.7 but it is often criticized, that it "lacks the refinement of the V6s in some competitive models", and is less fuel efficient. I guess it is getting a little old but it's earned high praise for years. It's practically legendary for its high performance and reliability. So I see impulse to update the power plant but if they go with the 2.0 it better come at a much lower price point.

It looks like the old 3.7 is out. If the only option is a turbo I might just want to keep my 40 in two years.

 

The 2.0 has been out for a while now. What does everyone think? Is it a hit or a flop like the G25?

 

Are there sales number than delineate the model trims? I can't imagine they're selling that many - all of the marketing I've seen has gone towards the 3.0T. I mean, I think a 3.0 leases only a little more than the 2.0. It seems to me the 2.0 is reserved for loaners & the euro market.

 

There are a ton of Q50's rolling around SoCal. Aside from the 3.7, the most common one I'm seeing is the regular 3.0T. A handful of the 2.0's and even less of the RS. I wouldn't exactly call it a flop, but not much better than the G25's I'm guessing.

 

I imagine they want to push the 3.0t as much as they can since it's the successor to the VQ series, even though the VR isn't in any other mainstream Nissans. The VR is the newest feat of engineering so I'm sure they want to show it off. I don't see many 2.0t models running around, but I still think they took a better route with the Q50 than they did with the G25 since you can get things like Bose audio, navigation, and Driver's Assistance whereas the G25 was much more bare bones.

 

@Sinecure could probably weigh in on this.

I'm sure I could find sales data available online somewhere. I don't see a trim line breakdown on this site.

http://infinitinews.com/en-US/infiniti/usa/channels/Sales-Reports-Infiniti-US

I still think they took a better route with the Q50 than they did with the G25 since you can get things like Bose audio, navigation, and Driver's Assistance whereas the G25 was much more bare bones.

Interesting point that hadn't occurred to me.

 

G25 had no options available other than if you wanted one with RWD or AWD, which isn't good for the people that want to configure their car to fit their needs. Wanted navigation or Bose audio? Then you were getting a G37. The 2.0t is also aimed at "not quite mainstream". It's directed towards shoppers that would otherwise be looking at a 320i which is the least powerful in the US 3-series lineup but you don't see many of them. Even though the 330i is also a 4-cylinder, they want the 3.0t to compete with it since they're more similar in MSRP but the Q50 can offer more content and value. Then the RS competes with the 340i and hopefully one day we'll see the Black S to compete against the M3. The 2.0 can also be compared against other Germans and domestic competition, but BMW is the easiest since they offer three mainstream engine configurations. I say mainstream because it's rarer to see an M3, C63, or ATS-V, with Mercedes having the C300 and C43 as mainstream (for a 4-cylinder, the C300 gets quite expensive and I won't pay 60k+ for one). It's even weirder to compare to Audi since the A4, S4, and RS4 are defined as different cars on the website and have distinctly different engines.

Most popular I see around me are Q50 3.7 and 3.0, C300, 328i/330i and A4.