Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge track tested – production possible

The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge created a stir when it was unwrapped in Detroit and Geneva. Now the company has taken the M3/C63 AMG rival one step closer to production as the prototype has been built and track tested and that the concept was now officially an engineering feasibility study.

The Q50 Eau Rouge prototype has undergone on-track dynamics testing at the Millbrook Proving Ground, a leading automotive engineering and development centre in the UK, in the hands of Sebastian Vettel, Infiniti’s Director of Performance.

The invaluable feedback of Vettel, the four-time Formula One world champion, will be engineered into the next stages of the prototype’s extensive development program – testing components, packaging and viability.

The Infiniti engineers will further refine the prototype’s aerodynamic performance, and develop the rear axle and suspension set ups. Computer controlling is not ruled out for the suspension, while initial wind tunnel data has shown that the prototype’s lowered ride height (minus 15mm – 20mm) has benefited under-body airflow. Further bespoke flat surface engineering for the prototype’s underside is also to be evaluated.

Bespoke carbon fibre exterior parts continue to feature extensively on the Q50 Eau Rouge exterior – front and rear splitters, and side sill skirts – while a driver- focused, carbon fibre enhanced cockpit could see bespoke leather and suede race-type Recaro bucket seats.

The Q50 Eau Rouge – a high-performance design study based on the the Infiniti Q50 premium sedan – was first revealed at the 2014 NAIAS Detroit Auto Show in January as a Formula One inspired, carbon fiber aero-enhanced concept.

At the Geneva Motor Show last month, the beating heart of Q50 Eau Rouge was revealed as the legendary Nissan GT-R powertrain – a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 that generates 404kW of power @ 6,400rpm and 628Nm @ 3,200-5,800rpm.

“Taking the decision to build and develop a prototype of the Q50 Eau Rouge concept following the positive response we received in Detroit and Geneva, was a logical next step for us in our evaluation process,” said Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motor Company Limited.

“Having a four-time world champion like Sebastian Vettel take an active part in the testing program around the prototype ensures that we will meet the level of performance criteria we desire for an Infiniti high-performance sport sedan.”

A decision to take the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge to production is currently under evaluation.