mmarshall

That's the latest I heard at the DC show a few weeks ago...it will be exclusively a Nissan. However, unlike the Detroit show, the high-level corporate people that make these decisions were not there with the car at the DC show (at least on the days I attanded)...perhaps they have changed their minds once again and Infiniti will get a version..

Tekknikal

instead of rebadging the gt-r, what i would do is:

build a new coupe off the GT-R's PM platform. make it rear drive, 6spd DSG, and real four seat (closer to the g35 than gt-r)... tune their new 5.xL v8 to 400ish hp. bring that car to market vs the M3, ISF, RS4, etc.....but for $50k.

then for a new high end sedan, id work on the intima concept as i think a lifestyle sedan would be the way to go on the high end...it would be 400ish hp, awd. This vehicle could redefine luxury for the company.

LexFather

I don't think Infiniti is established enough for any M/F/RS etc competitor. However I also agree, it would be great to see more coupes from Infiniti and one slotted above the G37 would be great.

Or maybe put the new V-8 in the G37? That would be a beast!

Or, like the G35/37 have a next generation M37/50 coupe? That could be something!

LexFather

Nissan plans to manufacture four-door GT-R sedan
127 words
19 February 2008
Auto Business News
English
(c) 2008, Electronic News Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

Nissan Motor Company (Nissan) (NASDAQ: NSANY) (TYO: 7201), a Japan-based automaker, is planning to manufacture a four-door sedan version of its GT-R supercar for Infinity division, according to a Nissan official.

The new vehicle will be based on the GT-R's Front Midship (FM) platform. It will be available with the same suspension and powertrain mountings as the GT-R.

The model is to be equipped with a twin-turbo V6 engine that delivers 480hp coupled with all-wheel drive and rear-mounted dual-clutch transmission. It is to compete with BMW's M-division and Mercedes-Benz's AMG.

Hypnotik

credit: Motortrend
original article here

A senior Nissan source has confirmed the company is studying the possibility of producing a high-performance four-door sedan based on the exotic Nissan GT-R hardware. The source suggested the car may be sold as an Infiniti.

Producing a four-door GT-R is certainly feasible, though it wouldn't be cheap. Although the GT-R coupe is based on Nissan's flexible FM (front midship) platform, it is what one analyst calls "a major deviation" from that platform's architecture, to the point where it's known internally as PM (premium midship).

The PM platform could be stretched to allow an extra set of doors and useable rear passenger space, while keeping the existing suspension pickup points, powertrain mountings, and other sheetmetal. This would enable the four-door to share a lot of the GT-R's mechanical hardware, including the 480-horsepower twin-turbo 3.8-liter VR38 V-6 engine, all wheel drive, and the rear-mounted six-speed DSG-style auto-clutch transmission.

However a sedan version would require a new bodyside, plus expensive revisions to the carbon fiber intensive front structure, so while Nissan could save some money through component sharing with the GT-R, it's likely that a sedan variant would cost $3000 to $5000 more. One alternative would be to make the car with a conventional steel body (it would add weight, but Nissan would want the GT-R coupe to remain its performance flagship anyway).



The drawings here are purely illustrative; it's unlikely Nissan would retain too many GT-R cues on an Infiniti-badged car. Nissan knows a four-door GT-R would have about as much credibility in Japan as a four-door Corvette would here in the U.S. Furthermore, American and European buyers likely would balk at the idea of paying $85,000 for a sedan with Nissan badges. Making the car an Infiniti could help solve both problems, and it would give the brand the halo vehicle it lacks.

A high-tech, high-performance Infiniti sedan also could serve as a halo car for the expansion of Nissan's luxury brand into Europe, China, Japan, and other world markets. After dithering for a decade or more, Toyota has finally made Lexus a global brand, and its new IS-F sedan signals an entry into the premium high-performance segment dominated by Mercedes-Benz's AMG and BMW's M cars.

The significance of both moves won't have been lost on Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.

XeroK00L

The 911 GT2-equivalent GT-R is already confirmed and coming. It's called the GT-R V-Spec (or Spec-V in many places).

An Infiniti version, if they decide to make one, should not necessarily be of higher performance, but of higher luxury, much like the relationship between the 350z and the G35, where the 350z is much more performance-focused and even got the 300hp motor before the G35 did.

A rumor was reported today by MotorAuthority that a FOUR-DOOR Infiniti based on the GT-R is coming. I think it's a smart move if true.

http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/i...based-on-gt-r/



Nissan working on four-door Infiniti based on GT-R

Last week reports emerged claiming Nissan was seriously considering releasing an Infiniti version of the GT-R supercar. In fact, Nissan’s global design Chief Shiro Nakamura admitted officials wanted to launch a high-end Infiniti model as well as dealer Peter Wilson who admitted that a new flagship is on the cars. The latest turn in the story is that a senior Nissan source has confirmed developers are looking at launching a high-performance four-door sedan based on Nissan GT-R running gear.

The GT-R is loosely based on Nissan’s flexible FM platform but it contains so many unique elements that developers have a separate name for the platform, PM premium midship, and any vehicle based on this design will be expensive. The new Infiniti model could use a four-door version of this design and utilize the potent 3.8L VR38 engine but in detuned form, reports MotorTrend.

This rendering is purely speculative but it makes sense that Infiniti could launch a new four-door. Dealers are desperate for a model priced above the former ‘Q’ flagship, which sold for less than $60,000, especially now that the brand is expanding into other markets. Such a car would serve as a halo model for the brand as it gains a foothold in these new markets.

LexFather

Great starting point but they continue to share MORE instead of less.
I wonder will Infiniti ditch the circular headlights from the Skyline GT-R in the future?

jwong77

I know that the engine is more than capable, but will trying to sell a v-6 in this category fail due to a lack of v-8?

XeroK00L

Which "category" are you referring to?

jwong77

From reading the article it looks to be in the category with the LS460. I'm just making the assumption its going to be the top end car for Infiniti. Ala S series, 7 Series, A8 etc. Your guess is as good as mine at this point.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

Good because this rendering is awful. Looks like an old boxy S-class.