Just two years after it launched, a refreshed 2018 Q50 sedan made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show with several updates including a new and different styling direction for the top-line Sport and Red Sport 400 models.
For 2018 Infiniti changed up the trim grade line for the Q50 with now four grades called Pure, Luxe, Sport and Red Sport 400. With these Infiniti has changed up the design inside and out to further differentiate the models visually.
This gets us to the Q50 Sport and Red Sport 400 which now have much more distinctive styling. Most obvious is a new front fascia more angular and aggressive. It features larger air intakes and a much larger lower air splitter to really set it off.
At the rear is a revised rear fascia for the Red Sport 400 with more pronounced twin exhausts and a two-tone rear diffuser. High gloss trims can be found here and there and unique 19-inch wheels will be included on the Red Sport 400.
For all Q50 models, new LED headlamps have a more pronounced human look and even the rear LED tail lamps have been given a makeover for a sharper appearance.
The interior also got a healthy dose of attention to address the many who felt it was a bit austere before. To wit, the dash is now covered with a stitched soft touch material and a wider variety of wood and aluminum trims are included across the board.
There’s a new steering wheel design with thumb slots and redesigned paddle shifters now mounted to the steering wheel instead of the column. They’re joined by a new shift knob with higher end detailing in its execution.
The Red Sport 400 interior gets its own unique touches including red accent stitching throughout the cabin and top-end quilted inserts on the seats.
New for 2018, the Q50 is expected to be the first INFINITI vehicle to package all of the company’s driver support technologies under the ProPILOT banner. This new name umbrellas the many advanced driver assistance systems that already made their debut on the Q50.
Carried over are the collection of four powertrains including both the 300 and 400 horsepower 3.0-liter VR twin-turbocharged V6s. Standard is a 208 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharge four and there is also still the 360 horsepower hybrid with its 3.5-liter V6 and electric motor.
Also continuing is the availability of the Dynamic Digital Suspension, drive-by wire steering system and the choice of rear-wheel or Intelligent All-Wheel drive.
The new 2018 Infiniti Q50 begins production imminently and will go on sale this spring with pricing to be announced closer to that time.
