It's a handsome car in and out. The last gen G easily out handled the IS so let's not discount Infiniti. They do know how to build some awesome sports cars. If they make this G handle anything like the GTR, watch out :D

I gotta say, I really like this shot of the car. Looks spectacular in black. Digg'in the dual touchscreen interior also. I think I spy Pandora and other "apps" on there.

They should have a shadowline trim like how BMW does it. That would really make it.

In most comparison tests I've read the IS outhandled the G.

Except compared to the E Class, 5 Series, and GS, it falls flat in several areas, most importantly beginning with styling. The M historically has always sold poorly, and Infiniti has never done anything major to improve the situation for the M.

In your world perhaps. In reality however, the IS out-handles the G sedan in most cases.

Edmunds Comparison Test: G35 vs. 335i vs. CTS vs. IS350 vs. C350


1. Infiniti G35 Sport - The best combination of luxury, price, and performance.

2. BMW 335i - A rare but pricey mix of performance and comfort, the 335i would win if it cost less.

3. Cadillac CTS - Uniquely American sports sedan with surprising handling, gorgeous interior design, and impressive infotainment.

4. Lexus IS350 - Fast and refined, the IS350 nonetheless lacks the engaging driving character of its competitors.

5. Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport - High build quality combines with impressive interior features, performance however is lacking.

Also:

Autoweek Review - 2007 G35 & (IS350 vs. 330i)
Autoweek - 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan Test
Infiniti Beats the Sophomore Jinx
A few interesting comments about it compared to the IS350 and 330i. They were very positive about the handling of the G35 at Lime Rock.

Quote »
Power is far more than ample both on the road and on the racetrack, where the G35 Sport felt more at home than did either the 330i or the IS provided for comparison. One clear advantage for the G35 over the BMW or the Lexus was found in Lime Rock’s first turn, a long sweeper called Big Bend. Where the Lexus felt soft and floppy, like a bigger luxury sedan, and the BMW declined to take a set and instead leaned over, released, and leaned again, the G35 buckled down and hustled through, assisted on exit by the Sport model’s standard viscous limited-slip differential.

I can't find a single publication that supports the Is350 out handles the G series. Just saying.

I have test driven the Is350 and found the G37 with sport package handled way better. Never test drove the F sport as it wasn't available in 2010.

:egads:Here we go again.

:D. Not trying to start anything. I will probably get the new IS if everything else is equal. I have both a Lexus and Infiniti so no brand loyalty. :D

It would be wise to specify what year you're talking about. Right now we're in 2013. And last I checked, a 2012 IS F-Sport will out-handle a 2012 G sedan sport. Now you weren't talking about placement in comparison tests, you specifically mentioned handling ability.

Why are they calling it the Q50?

For a second I thought it was the Q45 replacement.... Very confused.

That may be but in all fairness I don't think you can use the IS-F as a comparison with any G37. IS-
F is a sport tuned version of the IS.

I have to agree with speedflex here. It is obvious that each generation the IS/G do well with non enthusiasts and enthusiasts. None is particularly faster or sportier than the other, its personal preference.

I think both new generations will sell well and be well received unless we find out something crazy later (really bad drive, engine, pricing for example).

Let us not act how some people have acted about the new IS, like brainless dolts. Lets take the high road and welcome the new Infiniti. It surely won't be a bad car and even if it doesn't appeal to a Lexus owner, it looks to be a nice effort.

Mike

Based on pics, this Q50 doesn't exactly move the needly forward like I was hoping. The front end looks a lot like the Maxima and I personally think mesh grilles are overplayed. On your sport model? Ok. On every car in your lineup? No. I hope these pics are of a sport model, and the standard car will carry on with Infiniti's horizontal chrome bars - I think they've done a nice job with them on some recent models.

The body and sides look a little overstyled, in typical Infiniti fashion, but the rear end is beautiful. Very nice shapes and lines back there from what I can see. Those wheels look hot also.

The interior is quite possibly the biggest disappointment to me. It does not look much different, aside from the new center stack which appears very "Hyundai" as Mike illustrated. The other aspects of the interior are very bland, though it still looks a hell of a lot nicer than the 3 series.

I think engines will be a make it or break it affair for the new Q50. I'd give the exterior a C+ and the interior a C. With the rebirth that is happening at Infiniti right now, I simply expected more from this new car.

Of course, you can look at the IS and say that it is overstyled and the Q50 is more conservatively handsome, but on the flip side, Lexus has taken a big gamble and Infiniti has moved the needle forward just a bit. Consider that the RX and ES are Lexus bread and butter, and Lexus does not take many gambles there. The G/Q50 is Infiniti's core, so perhaps they also don't want to take risks with their highest volume products - understandable. With that said, this segment is heating up with the ATS, new IS, a new C and A4 are around the corner and a new TL will be here soon. Infiniti needed to do a bit more here, IMO.

We will not know the extent of evolution until the reviews come out. Maybe it's a 5.0L V8 under there :D. Haha. I will be eager to see the performance reviews for the two cars.

I do agree that the new Q doesn't seem that far off from the current Gen.

Looks very nice. We should keep calling it a G.

I realize my statement could be seen as a bit of a reach, but....yes. Notice the huge paddle shifters affixed to the steering column a la Ferrari and Mitsu? They are much better for aggressive driving vs the smaller paddles and triggers that Lexus and others slap onto the steering wheel. And let's not forgot how terrible they are in the 2IS (mere gear limiters) :egads:

I don't doubt, Choices are good.


For me, the transmission and drivetrain are the two most important elements of any car. If the Infiniti has an LSD and the IS doesn't, then my mind is already made up.

Based on the redline, it looks like the same NA V6 carries over, which is a big disappointment...was hoping for a 3.0L turbo. Oh well, in time.