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Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge running prototype driven by Sebastian Vettel

Infiniti's high-performance Q50 Eau Rouge concept might be one of the biggest teases in the current automotive world. It was first shown at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show as a body without an engine. Then, the sports sedan arrived at the Geneva Motor Show with a modified version of the turbocharged V6 from the GT-R under the hood, tuned to 560 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, and with all-wheel drive. However, it was still just a concept. Finally, the Japanese luxury automaker is showing us what the Eau Rouge can do on the road - briefly.
The company brought reigning Formula One champ Sebastian Vettel along to get behind the wheel, for this all-too-short video from the Millbrook Proving Ground in the UK. There's more good news too. While Infiniti isn't saying that it's definitely going to build the Eau Rouge, it is "pressing ahead with the evaluation." More info about these tests will be released at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show at the end of April. Scroll down to watch Vettel drive the Q50 Eau Rouge and read a little more about it.

Infiniti readies Juke-based ESQ crossover specifically for China

When most luxury automakers started getting into SUVs and crossovers, they started at with the largest models, but have gradually been getting smaller. Think Lexus and the LX, Audi and the Q7, or BMW and the X5, and you'll see what we mean, because each of them has been steadily downsizing its crossovers ever since. But Infiniti is going even smaller. At least, in China, anyway.
That's where the luxury marque from Nissan will soon be offering the new Infiniti ESQ. The smallest of Infiniti crossovers has been developed in China, exclusively for the Chinese market to meet Chinese tastes. It shares its underpinnings with the Nissan Juke, but instead of starting with the base model, Infiniti China has started with the more potent Juke Nismo - complete with 1.6-liter turbo four producing 197 horsepower - and added on premium accoutrements. The exterior that appears to be differentiated by a new grille and wheels, featuring the ESQ logo instead of Infiniti's, but the same quirky styling that sets the Juke apart. Though all we can of the interior is the steering wheel, you can bet that Infiniti gave the ESQ a more luxurious cabin space, too.
Infiniti's global communications manager Stefan Wienmann told Autoblog that the company is "expanding [its] portfolio not only globally but also specifically in China," adding the ESQ to a market-specific lineup that includes long-wheelbase versions of the Q50 sedan and QX50 crossover. "We see specific sales opportunities in this segment," explains Wienmann, adding that a targeted project like the ESQ "also enables us to gain experience in positioning a new premium model to the 'new millennials', a customer group that is very important to us."

Production Infiniti QX80 will be revealed at Dubai Motor Show

Back at the New York auto show, Infiniti showed the QX80 Monograph concept, which indicated what direction the updated production QX80 would go. At this year's Dubai auto show, we'll get to see how close the QX80 gets to the concept, since that's where the production car will debut. And thanks to some teaser images from Infiniti, we get a solid sneak peak at the SUV. Immediately apparent is that many key styling cues have made it to production, but the overall car has been notably toned down from the already relatively conservative concept. We're glad to see that the headlights have completed their trip up the front fascia, matching up better with the corporate trapezoidal grille and providing a wider, more aggressive look. The jutting, Leno-esque lower valence of the concept has been reduced to more modest proportions, but the basic shape of the lower grilles remains the same. It also appears that the fenders haven't been pumped up as much as the concept's. The mild redesign matches what will probably be very mild mechanical changes. Previous reports have said that the new QX80 will retain the same platform and powertrain as the current model. We wouldn't be surprised, though, if there have been some suspension tweaks and maybe a few extra horsepower squeezed from the current 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8. Also, though Infiniti hasn't revealed when the SUV will go on sale, we would expect it to arrive at dealers early next year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Infiniti QX80 Image Credit: Infiniti Infiniti SUV Luxury Off-Road Vehicles dubai motor show infiniti qx80 infiniti qx80 monograph