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Infiniti Q30 Concept might be the cleverest Q model yet

When we first got official word of the Infiniti Q30 Concept, the Japanese automaker said that the crossover's "harmonious contrasts and dissymmetric philosophy" would "make an emotional connection with customers spontaneously." Now, we might not be heads of design studios or directors of marketing departments, but we're pretty sure we can translate that to: "The production Q30 will compete with the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class."
In all seriousness (if we can say that of a concept car painted a sort of rose metallic), the Q30 concept looks fetching here in Frankfurt; its rather convoluted and flowing bodywork just carried off successfully because of its grownup hatchback proportions and, frankly, huge wheels. The Q30 could seemingly slot into the current, attractive Infiniti range of production cars and not look amiss (though we'd prefer a color palette that looks a little less like Grandma's sitting room sofa).
Look above for our live images of the Infiniti Q30 Concept from the show floor in Frankfurt, below for stock pictures of the thing, or scroll down to re-read the breathless press release.

Infiniti signs four-year deal to become title sponsor of Red Bull Racing

The chief of Infiniti's Formula One motorsport involvement, Andreas Sigl, said just last week that the brand was "going longer and deeper" into its collaboration with Red Bull, and the proof has already come: the Japanese luxury brand has signed a four-year deal to become the title sponsor of Red Bull Racing. From next year the team will be Infiniti Red Bull Racing.
The move cements Infiniti's intention to make the most of the already-ongoing technical collaboration it has had with Red Bull Racing for two years - this year Milton Keynes team has been testing Infiniti's Scratch Heal paint for aero properties and during the young driver test it used KERS batteries that were wholly developed by Infiniti's parent company, Nissan.
Earning a tip of the hat for not giving into cheap-trick branding, the engines will continue to be branded as Renault. Renault/Nissan CEO does not "want any confusion within the Alliance as to who does what."

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.