The first full image of the Formula One-inspired Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept has been released ahead of its world premiere at January’s Detroit auto show.
Teased early last month, the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge is expected to preview the brand’s upcoming performance division confirmed late last year, with the luxury car maker saying the concept “represents design vision for high-performance products.”
Drawing on Infiniti’s partnership with the Red Bull Racing F1 team and its RB9 race car – and taking its name from a famous corner of the Belgian Spa-Francorchamps F1 circuit – the Q50 Eau Rouge features a carbonfibre roof, front splitter, rear diffuser, side skirts and mirror caps.
It sits lower and wider than the standard sedan and rides on black 21-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels – up from the standard car’s 17- and 19-inch items. A dual-exit sports exhaust, integrated rear spoiler and a bonnet with Nissan GT-R-style air vents complete the package.
Infiniti is yet to reveal any powertrain details, though its does say that only the roof and door profiles remain unchanged from the production Q50 – itself launching locally in late January/early February likely powered by a choice of a 125kW/400Nm Mercedes-Benz-sourced 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine or a 222kW/546Nm 3.5-litre V6-based petrol-electric hybrid.
Associated with the Red Bull Racing F1 team since March 2011, Infiniti expanded its relationship at the start of the 2013 season becoming both title and performance partner. It also appointed four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel as director of performance in April that year.
The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept will make its Detroit debut on January 13.
