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Eau Rouge Lite: Infiniti Q50 gets 400-hp, twin-turbo V6

The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge is still (probably) dead. But as consolation prizes go, a new 400-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V6 isn't bad. The 3.0-liter biturbo will be offered in two different states of tune. Enthusiasts will flock towards the aforementioned 400-hp model, but the first VR series engine will also be sold in a 300-hp version, as well. Regardless of output, both engines have a very broad torque curve, ranging from 1,600 to 5,200 rpm with either 350 or 295 pound-feet. A Mercedes-sourced, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder will serve as the Q50's new base engine, matching the CLA250's 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powered Q50 soldiers on, as do a line of standard seven-speed automatic transmissions. The naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 appears to be gone. Another big enhancement for the updated Q50 is a revised version of the widely disliked Direct Adaptive Steer system. Infiniti says its engineers "optimized the control logic to improve feedback from the road" – a huge area of complaint with the current steer-by-wire system. The Q50's new engine lineup will be showrooms later this winter. Read on for the official press release from Infiniti, and stay tuned for more from the brand – including the new Q60 Coupe – at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. Related Video: Infiniti Announces New 3.0-liter V6 Twin-Turbo Engine – the Most Advanced V6 Ever Offered by Infiniti • New VR-series engine becomes the lightest, most powerful, cleanest and most fuel-efficient V6 engine that Infiniti has ever offered• Two power outputs available: 400 or 300 horsepower• Series of technical innovations enhance drivability and performance• Compact layout features new integrated exhaust manifold• The 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine family will first be available in the 2016 Infiniti Q50 sports sedan NASHVILLE (Dec. 15, 2015) – Infiniti's new compact, lightweight 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine is the most advanced V6 engine that the brand has ever offered, striking an ideal balance between drivability, efficiency, and performance. The 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo is an all-new engine from the new and exclusive VR- series powertrain family, born out of the brand's longstanding heritage of V6 powertrain production. The new engine has been engineered to empower the driver and offer increased power and torque and higher levels of efficiency than any comparable predecessors from the company.

Interest in an Infiniti EV is muted, to say the least

More than a quarter-million people have bought an electric vehicle from the Renault-Nissan Alliance. When it comes to Nissan's Infiniti luxury nameplate, though, there's not a lot of confidence. The Alliance doesn't have much hope that the badge will add to that total anytime soon. So says Emirates 24/7 in its report that Infiniti is planning on opening two showrooms in Abu Dhabi. Models such as the QX80 SUV, the Q70 sedan, and the Q50 will be shown off to those looking to live the high life, Infiniti style. But company executives told the publication that no battery-electric Infiniti models would be in the works until at least the end of the decade? The reason? Lack of demand. It's a far cry from three years ago, when a concept version of the Infiniti LE electric vehicle was shown off at the New York Auto Show. The model boasted 134 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque as well as wireless-charging capabilities. It was about the size of the Infiniti G sedan. At the time, the automaker's executives were estimating that car would hit the market by 2014. Those plans didn't come to fruition, obviously. As for the Alliance, Renault and Nissan celebrated the sale of their 250,000th electric vehicle this past summer. And while the lion's share of those were in the form of the Nissan Leaf, the 250,000th vehicle was actually a Renault Zoe that was bought by a computer engineer in Bordeaux, France. That's a long way from the UAE, and a long way from an Infiniti EV.

Sebastien Vettel testing Infiniti's production Etherea?

It sounds like Sebastian Vettel has had his hands full recently, juggling his Formula One racing career while moonlighting as the newly appointed director of performance at Infiniti. On that latter note, Autocar is reporting that Vettel has been testing a production version of the Etherea Concept at France's Circuit Paul Ricard.
There is still no word as to when we could see this car go into production or what it will be called (possibly the Q30), but it will likely share a platform with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class as a part of the Daimler/Renault-Nissan collaboration. The article also said that this future entry-level Infiniti would be produced at Nissan's Sunderland, UK plant.