Things are never dull in the Japanese automotive scene, and Nissan is the latest example of that. Between the company’s recent financial struggles and mismanagement, Nissan and its luxury arm, Infiniti, are making an important step towards getting back on the enthusiast’s radar. We have been getting reports that Infiniti is planning a return to enthusiast-centric models with new performance-luxury sedans. The latest scoop from Japanese outlet BestCarWeb confirms this, as we see early renderings of the next-generation Nissan Skyline.
The renderings serve as confirmation that the model is coming out, rather than how it would look.
In the past, the Japanese publication has had reliable information when it came to upcoming models. However, I can’t help but think (and I am not the only one) that the new design is a downgrade from what we have seen on the Infiniti Q50.
Infiniti’s Q50 and Q60 were sold as Nissan Skylines on the Japanese market, and given that the luxury brand already confirmed a new iteration of the four-door luxury-performance car, these renderings serve as further confirmation that a new Q50 will be arriving in North America.
A few things were made clear regarding the new Skyline / Q50.
While the final design is not yet known to the public, we know that the next-generation Nissan Skyline / Infiniti Q50 will feature round taillights. This has been a signature design trait of the Skyline since the first model wearing the Nissan badge arrived in 1966. Prior to that, the Skyline name belonged to the Prince Skyline - Nissan later acquired the company.
Another important detail is that the new model will offer a manual transmission. The last Infiniti you could get with a manual was the 2015 Q50 with the S trim, which was a rebadged G37. In fact, Infiniti is preparing not one, but two new sedans that will feature three pedals and a stick, with the second expected to be a new Infiniti Q70.
The third detail we know is that Infiniti claims over 400 horsepower for its next sports-luxury sedan. In another brilliant move, Infiniti is bringing out a new fastback SUV in the form of the QX65, which will be powered by a familiar V-6 engine, instead of the dreaded VC Turbo four-cylinder. I like that the company has decided to go away from the downsizing trend.
Currently, Nissan and Infiniti have only two engines with over 400 horsepower. Both are V-6 and twin-turbocharged. The next-gen Q60 / Skyline will likely get a boosted version of the 3.0-liter VE30DDTT the last model had. Reports say that it will be a version of that engine, but with added changes in order to comply with the latest emissions regulations. This doesn’t really mean much anymore since the emissions regulations have pretty much gone out the window after the Trump administration reduced their impact.
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I expect the output to be similar to the NISMO Z’s 420 horsepower, but some sources claim 450 horsepower or more. This is also the only Nissan V-6 currently mated to a six-speed manual transmission (in the Nissan Z).
The other option is the company’s 3.5-liter VR35DDTT engine, seen on large SUVs like the Nissan Armada, Armada NISMO, and Infiniti QX80, where it makes from 420 to 460 horsepower, depending on the model, with loads of torque. The VR35 is a bored and stroked version of the VR30. If they say it will be “sort of the same engine” as the scoop suggests, there is a possibility the new Skyline will get the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6.
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I am glad Nissan and Infiniti are taking a page out of Toyota’s book when it comes to the Skyline. Leaving on the heritage is always a winning move if done right - not like what Honda did with the Prelude. The new sporty sedan will, reportedly, not feature any form of electrification, instead relying purely on the internal-combustion engine. I welcome this move, as it will provide a more visceral driving feel, which is increasingly difficult to find in modern vehicles.
Despite what you may think about Nissan’s current situation, would you buy the new Nissan Skyline / Infiniti Q50? A potent V-6 paired with a manual and a rear-wheel-drive-biased chassis is a rare combination nowadays. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.
Image source: BestCarWeb, 2024 Infiniti Q50
About the author
Dimitar Angelov has been an automotive journalist since 2014. His passion for cars and motorcycles led him to take up classic car restoration at the Classic Car Museum in Malta. While living there, he also graduated with a Master's in Media and Communications. Aside from Torquenews, his work can also be seen on Topspeed.com, HotCars.com, Motorheads.com, Jalopnik.com, and his own website, Ridereverie.com, where he also includes motorcycle content.
Other relevant experience to the automotive scene include working at a Toyota dealership, professional driving, and automotive insurance. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Experience
- 2012-2017 and 2025-Present: Insurance Advisor - ANG Univers and Generali Insurance Group
- 2016-2016: Car salesman at Toyota dealership
- 2014-Present: Automotive journalist, blogger, vlogger, test driver
Education
- Bachelor's degree in International Economic Relations
- Master's degree in Marketing
- Master's degree in Media and Communications
Dimitar Angelov has been quoted in the following publications:
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