The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge, revealed today at the 2014 NAIAS Detroit Motor Show, is a concept car that aims to express Infiniti’s design vision of a future potential high-performance variant of its Q50 saloon.

“If we built this car I would expect it to feature over 500hp and 600lb/ft of torque. Through our various alliance partners we have access to a range of engines featuring this performance capability which, with a fair amount of engineering effort, can be developed to exhibit Infiniti character and accommodated within the Q50 engine bay. The engine we are evaluating for the Q50 Eau Rouge is a big personality, V-cylinder engine with forced induction,” said Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti.

Influenced by Formula One, and featuring bespoke aerodynamic carbon-fibre bodywork, the concept car is lower and wider than the conventional model.

Almost every exterior panel is bespoke to the Q50 Eau Rouge, with only the front doors and the arch of the roof pillars retained as standard components.

New front and rear wings extend the current Q50’s stance by 20mm, while a larger deck lid spoiler creates air-pressure downforce.

Q50’s signature double-arch front grille takes on a dark-chrome matte finish, as do the glasshouse surrounds, door handles and deck lid accents. The curving hood is double air-vented as a further suggestion of the car’s performance capabilities.

“From our shared passion for performance with Infiniti Red Bull Racing grew a collective desire to produce an ambitious and powerful Infiniti Q50 design study. The overall design creates a feeling of refined muscularity,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti’s Executive Design Director.

“The design has a number of distinctive Formula-One inspired touches. In particular, the sculpted front wing assembly and the rear aerodynamic packaging take their cues from the RB9 race car. The rear fog light packaging is unmistakably Formula One.

“The Q50 Eau Rouge is a combination of the seductive lines of the Q50 but with a fiercer design urge in keeping with a high-performance vehicle. The Q50 Eau Rouge is Infiniti to the power of four; like a bull with its shoulder muscles flexed, a bull in Infiniti clothing.”

Part of the concept’s exterior treatments include lightweight 21-inch forged alloy wheels which fill the wider arches.

On the inside, control is afforded by a high-grip sports steering wheel and Formula One-style paddle-shifters.

Red-infused carbon-fibre detailing to the doors and centre console complement the exterior style, and dark-chrome again replaces silver-chrome in the red cockpit.

Source: Infiniti

Tags: 2014 NAIAS, Alfonso Albaisa, car design, Eau Rouge Concept, F1, Infiniti, Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Johan de Nysschen, Q50, RB9