Horsepower fetishists will recall that up until not that long ago, we weren't sure if the next Skyline (a.k.a. GT-R) would be sold in the US at Nissan or Infiniti dealers. Turns out it's Nissan. For now. "An Infiniti version is a future possibility. I have not done a study yet, but we are thinking about it." That's Nissan's global design chief Shiro Nakamura talking to Old Blighty's Car magazine. Nakamura adds that the Infiniti version could be a coupe or convertible. We sorta hope it's a convertible, but mostly hope it's neither. Recently, Nissan has done an admirable job of NOT badge engineering it's luxury brand to death. The RWD G35 is NOT a leathered up Altima. The V8 powered M45 is NOT a Maxima on steroids (No, it's a 350Z on HGH). A Murano is NOT an EX35. Etc. (You could argue that the G37 Coupe is nothing but a 2+2 350Z, but nobody would listen.) Why, then, would Nissan start badge engineering now? What pimply-faced, thumb-calloused Gran Turismo addict sits around Mom's basement thinking, "Man, I'd totally buy a GT-R if only it were MORE expensive?" Short answer, none. A counter-proposal. I like fast, smart handling four-doors, be it RS4, M5/M3, C63 or IS-F. The ability to outrun Corvettes on the bad roads fills my heart with glee. Recently, I spent some seat time in an Infiniti G35xS. That's the AWD version. When my handler asked me what I thought of the car, the first words out of my mouth were, "My mom would love it." So yes, I'm proposing a four-door Skyline. To hunt down the uber-Audis of the world. And kill 'em all.
23 Comments on “Infiniti To Badge Engineer Godzilla? Just Say No....”
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I agree. It’d be much more interesting if Nissan built a new Q around that motor and AWD system.
Holy Jalopnik, he’s back!
A big hello to Dearman (I know, everybody calls him Loverman, but this Kraut likes to take things literally).
Welcome back, Jonny! RF made you an offer you couldn’t refuse?
R35 sedan? now that would be an interesting beast!
I agree with Starlightmica – if they’re going to do something with the GT-R platform make it unique like a CLS type sedan as a new take on the “Q”. THAT would be hot.
Given the distinction between the Z and G37, I have confidence they could do it. But still wish they wouldn’t even go there as the GT-R is a special product that deserves to stand alone as the pinnacle of Nissan’s abilities.
+1 on the 4-door skyline for Infiniti.
Imagine something like that would eat M5s for breakfast. It would also educate BMW on how to use electrickery to make a car better, not worse.
Also plus one for welcoming back “Loverman!’
I think they should. That way they could justify charging $80K+ for a Nissan.
If they could do as good of a job as they did with the G37 (350Z), then thumbs up to the idea of a four door GT-R.
The V8 powered M45 is NOT a Maxima on steroids
But the I30 was, and it wasn’t even the good steroids.
And then there was the dressed up Pathfinder (QX4) and Armada (QX56), so it’s not as if badge engineering is hasn’t been done by them in the past.
So yes, I’m proposing a four-door Skyline.
Um, the G35 IS the four door Skyline (JDM).
The i30 didn’t take any steroids. It was just a rebadged top spec JDM Maxima.
My guess is you’ll see more badge engineering from Nissan especially given the current state of the U.S. economy. I love all the hype the Skyline gets. I wonder what people will do when it doesn’t meet everyone’s expectations?
I think the operative word is “recently,” i.e., Nissan has shown signs in the past couple years of wanting to distinguish the Infiniti brand by NOT simply rebadging everything in the Nissan line-up, after a previous few years doing exactly that.
I don’t think platform or model sharing is necessarily evil, if you’re getting something for your money. The Infiniti G37 coupe is a good case in point. Like the original Mercury Cougar, which was a slightly longer, plusher Mustang, the G37 Coupe has much of what’s good about the 350Z with the benefits of a noticeably more luxurious interior and a notional back seat (and I like its exterior styling better than the Z), while not costing that much more.
If it were JUST a badge engineering job, or if the price differential was greater, that would be another matter, which was the problem with the I30. (Although the theory behind it wasn’t ludicrous; certainly there are any number of Camry lovers who are willing to pay a few grand above the cost of a loaded Camry XLE V-6 for a Lexus badge, nicer leather, and a somewhat better warranty/service package.)
@ timoted:
Believe the hype…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDoJdQXmwu8
Everything I’ve read re: the GT-R (including Top Gear, CAR and the US buff books) says the car delivers on the hype.
I still take the Challenger over the Hype. Crappy interior and all.
Why not a hard top convertible luxury GT? It wouldn’t nearly be the same car if done right.
As for a new Q, the Acura RL has always hurt because of its 6, so why would it be different for the Infiniti. I could see them sticking a detuned version in the M to further separate it from the G.
“The V8 powered M45 is NOT a Maxima on steroids (No, it’s a 350Z on HGH).”
This line made my morning…
quasimodo – I think we have to be fair to Infiniti and only count their current lineup… The i30 is a relic from a prehistoric age… The only rebadging I still see left on the books is the monstrosity they call the FX56 or FX 87 or whatever number it’s up to now (the Nissan Pathfinder Armada), and that, well… I have no excuse for that one…
anzigo – I think we’re crossing terminologies here… When Mr. Lieberman says “Skyline” he’s referring to the GT-R. The JDM “Skyline” is, in fact the G35, but there is no relation to the current GT-R model.
Welcome back, Johnny!
They need a new Q, but not right away. Wait out the slumping economy and get nouveau riche on the upside. That what BMW did in the 80s and it turned out pretty good for them.
Is that THE Jonny Lieberman? Welcome back!
They should just let Infiniti dealers sell the car as a GT-R..forget whether it’s a Nissan or an Infiniti.
“So yes, I’m proposing a four-door Skyline. To hunt down the uber-Audis of the world. And kill ‘em all.”
Beautiful. That’s exactly what Infiniti should do! That would also work well with the current divide between Infiniti and Nissan – 2 seat sports cars go to Nissan, 4 seat sports sedans (and coupes, I guess) go to Infiniti. They have the expertise, they just need to make a monster sedan that kills ‘em all.
A one-two punch like might really take the wind out of the German competition.
Why only four doors, Jonny? Why not five? Audi won’t send us the RS 4 Avant? Fine! I’ll take the Infiniti.
P.S. Welcome back.
@ Phil Roast Beef:
You raise an excellent point. I think I’m losing it. That’s the second sign…
Damn Jonny,
You made me sign up for another site besides Jalop (not making any inferences about said site jumping the shark, but….).
You and Brock in the same place, now if Hunter would just come back from the grave and start waxing poetic about the Vincent Black Shadow again I could truly die happy!
Welcome back!! (from the guy who just got here).
Keep on debating the asethtic value of the hood bulges on a 275GTB 4-cam vs the early 275GTB. Keep on researching the number of LHD DB4 GT Zagatos, and we’ll keep on following ya to whatever corner of the internets you hang your shingle from
I wouldn’t mind a badge-engineered Skyline if it ditched the twin turbos and came with a huge stonkin 450 hp V8