Infiniti To Badge Engineer Godzilla? Just Say No.
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.
Cleanup driver for Team Black Metal V8olvo.
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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