Infiniti confirms a manual sports sedan: Here’s why it matters

Since the 1990s, Infiniti has been compared to BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, like what a TAG Heuer wristwatch is to a Rolex. Obviously, the Rolex is the sexier choice, thanks to its broader brand appeal. Still, the TAG will cost you one hell of a lot less, it’ll look plenty stylish, and it’ll tell the same time as the Rolex. The Infiniti G Series, specifically, has been precisely that to the legendary BMW 3-Series, offering similar rear-wheel-drive performance, six-cylinder power, manual gearbox offerings, and even better long-term durability than its German rival. That was, however, until August of last year, when Infiniti killed the Q50 model (the successor to the G-branded models of the past), leaving the brand’s lineup dominated by dull, unenthusiastic crossovers. Now, though, thankfully, Infiniti says things will soon turn around for the better.

What Infiniti has officially said so far

According to our very own Stephen Edelstein, Infiniti claims its iconic sports sedan will soon return due to dwindling EV demand and will carry on the “Q50” nameplate with rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and a turbocharged V6 engine sourced from the contemporary Nissan Z. Apparently, in August of this year, Infiniti actually showed off a teaser of the upcoming sedan to its American dealers at Nissan’s national dealer meeting in Las Vegas.

The potential offering of a manual gearbox in Infiniti’s upcoming sports sedan follows a recent trend at Nissan that’s favored the development of enthusiast-oriented vehicles with the hopes of re-attracting the crowd that kept the brand afloat so many years ago. For example, when the all-new Nissan Z NISMO was first introduced, it was available exclusively with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. Soon, buyers will be able to opt for a six-speed manual in the NISMO Z, suggesting a drivetrain likely quite similar to what we’ll see under the hood of the upcoming Infiniti Q50 revival.

Why it matters so much to me

Just like many of you, I’ve had my fair share of classic Infiniti G experiences. I’ve found myself moving completely sideways in G35 Coupes with rusted-out exhaust systems, I’ve lived the high life in G37 Convertibles, and I’ve even owned an Infiniti G myself—not the tailslide-happy, rear-wheel drive model everyone remembers. As pictured above, my 1999 Infiniti G20t served me as a brilliant winter beater. Having paid just $500 for it a few years back, it came equipped with brand-new Continental winter tires, leather seats, a Bose sound system, a working sunroof, roof racks, a five-speed manual gearbox, and a Nissan SR20 motor that never even so much as leaked. It was a brilliantly fun sedan to drive, and it cost me virtually nothing to keep it running. That’s what the Infiniti G always did best.

So, in anticipation of Infiniti’s upcoming sports sedan revival, I couldn’t help but wonder what it might look like, especially if Infiniti really went wild with the design, which I believe they must do for it to be successful. The Q50 of the past was far too sterile. Combined with the lack of a manual transmission, it’s no wonder nobody fell in love with the G’s spiritual replacement. Using Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney 7.0, and Gemini 3 Pro, I’ve developed some renders of what Infiniti’s upcoming sports sedan might look like with retro-modern styling and ample visual aggression to match its mighty performance. These renders are purely speculative and do not depict any actual Infiniti or Nissan products.

What could Infiniti’s upcoming sedan look like?

For this design, I decided not only to draw inspiration from the Infiniti G35 and G37’s rear-wheel-drive proportions but also to go for a somewhat boxier shape than we’ve typically seen in Infiniti’s sports sedans—something a bit more reminiscent of the G20t. Its overall style blends late-80s/early-90s retro elements, such as its turbo-fan wheel styling and its Skyline GT-R-inspired rear wing, with more modern touches such as bold LED headlights and taillights, flush door handles, and aggressive-looking aero parts. A design like this could be the perfect way to express its Japanese heritage while aiming directly at striking-looking modern European rivals such as the BMW M3.

Powertrain possibilities: Turbo power and a proper manual gearbox

The VR30DDT, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, already pumps out a delicious helping of 400 horsepower in the standard Nissan Z, but in the NISMO Z, that number gets bumped up to a blazing figure of 420. I’d imagine Infiniti would opt for the higher-output mill for their upcoming sports sedan, which, as mentioned, will soon be available with a six-speed manual gearbox, making for the perfect combination for what we’d like to see under the hood of Infiniti’s next Q50. Although it’s not quite BMW M3 territory in terms of power, I can’t imagine it’ll be quite as costly to purchase as the Bavarian super saloon. If notable savings are on the table, 420 horsepower to the rear wheels with a six-speed stick sounds like more than enough to satisfy my speed tooth.

Final thoughts: Are Infiniti and Nissan finally listening to enthusiasts again?

The impending return of Infiniti’s iconic sports sedan is so genuinely surprising because it proves Nissan is actually listening to its enthusiasts, rather than merely trying to elevate shareholder value with no compromise, as so many other brands seem to be doing these days. The return of the Q50 proves that Infiniti is finally willing to take a serious risk, rather than play it safe with a lineup of boring crossovers. But what do you think? Do you believe that a revived Infiniti Q50 could work if done right, or is it destined to be a lackluster offering, doomed to rot on dealership backlots for the next decade? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!