Infiniti VP: Upcoming RWD Sedan Will Prioritize Performance Over Luxury

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      Earlier this year, we heard a rumor that Infiniti was planning to re-enter the sedan market with a new “Q70S” model featuring rear-wheel drive, a potent engine, and a manual transmission. Guess what? It's true—mostly; Infiniti is not ready to confirm the model name at this point—and we can expect to see it by 2027.

      So, why the return to sedans, and why not immediately? After all, Infiniti has only recently exited the luxury sedan segment, and Nissan continues to produce the Skyline (the former Q50 under a different name) for its domestic market. A straightforward comeback could be achieved with minimal effort, but according to Tiago Castro, Infiniti’s vice president for the Americas, that's not the strategy the company is pursuing right now.

      “We aim to return to the core of Infiniti and create a product lineup that allows us to sustain demand growth,” Castro shared during a brief one-on-one interview this week. Moreover, he emphasized that performance, rather than luxury, will be the fundamental principle guiding the sedan.

      Looking ahead, Infiniti plans to limit itself to a maximum of one new product each year, enabling the brand to hone in on the premium market, which, according to Castro, presents greater growth opportunities than the mainstream sector. He noted that customers in this market tend to be more loyal when well looked after.

      If Infiniti can attract affluent buyers, it will support the brand's rationale for downsizing its showroom. Consequently, its objective is to establish itself as a premium alternative to the standard offerings currently available. To achieve this, Infiniti must “do less, but do it exceptionally well,” according to Castro.

      This approach will influence Infiniti’s sedan strategy. The company is unlikely to reintroduce a full model range like the previous G or Q series, instead opting to create a singular, purpose-built sport sedan designed to appeal to niche buyers. Think of it as if BMW stopped making every 3 Series save for the M3, and you’re in the right direction.

      That said, Castro was hesitant to commit to a specific performance target at this early stage (remember: one new product per year), but logically, a new performance-focused sport sedan would aim to meet or exceed segment benchmarks—in other words, the opposite of standard.

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