cars news 10: 2018 Infiniti Q50 Shows Off Facelift in Geneva

The 2018 Infiniti Q50 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show today with minor design tweaks and updated technologies. Infiniti also promises greater visual differentiation between the trims in the lineup.

Originally introduced as a 2014 model, Infiniti’s best-seller, the Q50, is due for a refresh to see it through until the next all-new model comes along. As such, the front and rear soft bits get a good going over, with new headlamps that appear to emit a more intense stare from more eye-like lenses. The lower air intakes and sides of the grille are revised, and out back, the tail lamp graphics are also new.

Sport models feature unique design details including a more angular front bumper and wider, lower intakes. The Red Sport 400 kicks things up a notch with even more aggressive elements that signal its place at the top of the lineup.

Interior upgrades on the Q50 mirror some items that appeared on the Q60 coupe, including the shifter and steering wheel. Also look for spinal support seats that are said to reduce pressure on the lower and upper back muscles.

Powertrains remain unchanged, but global badging is revised to broaden the S nomenclature to hybrid and 2.0-liter four-cylinder models, with each of them getting a different color S. The red S continues to connote the 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6; the blue S announces the Direct Response Hybrid powertrain, and a silver S goes on the 2.0t. All of this prepares the market for the Black S high-output hybrid announced on the eve of the show.

As previously reported, the Q50 will be the first Infiniti vehicle to package all of the automaker’s driver support technologies under the ProPILOT label. The model will offer Active Lane Control, which prevents drivers from swerving out of their lane, as well as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and prevention, forward emergency braking, predictive forward collision warning, backup collision intervention, and a new second-generation steer-by-wire system.

Kelly Pleskot contributed to this post.

Source: Infiniti