Currently reading: Geneva motor show 2013: Infiniti Q50 diesel
Infiniti's BMW 3-series rivalling Q50 has been revealed with a diesel engine for the first time

Renault-Nissan's tie-up with Daimler has spawned a crucial Mercedes-supplied four-cylinder diesel engine for the new Infiniti Q50 saloon, revaled today at the Geneva motor show.

The new BMW 3-series-rivalling Q50 replaces the G37 saloon. The G37 was hampered by only ever being offered with a thirsty V6 petrol engine, but the Mercedes-sourced diesel in the Q50 should make it a much more competitive offering.

The 2143cc turbodiesel engine is familiar from a wide range of Mercedes models, including the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In the Q50, the direct-injection oil-burner produces 168bhp and 295lb ft of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox, both also Mercedes-sourced.

Final figures are yet to be confirmed, but the Q50 2.2d is expected to crack 0-62mph in less than nine seconds and reach a top speed of 143mph. Combined economy of 64mpg is expected, as are CO2 emissions of less than 115g/km.

When European sales of the Q50 begin in the autumn, a hybrid version will also be offered. It will mate a V6 petrol engine to an electric motor for a combined 359bhp. This set-up will be offered in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive forms.

De Nysschen said "If I had to pick one German saloon as a target, it would be the BMW 3-series. But the truth is that the Q50 should attract a more confident, successful and youthful buyer than the German rivals.

"Our buyers look for a car that reflects their individuality and difference; not one that's such a common badge of status and success."

Infiniti has yet to make a notable dent in any of its rivals sales, however, with the brand remaining oft-overlooked. "I don't like to talk about sales targets", commented de Nysschen. "We're facing a long uphill journey in Europe, and we must build the brand before anything else.

"I would rather sell 200,000 cars in Europe without pushing them into the market, than 250,000 the wrong way. If we do our jobs well, over time, the volume will come."

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Mark Tisshaw

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Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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bonifa 6 March 2013

So much more attractive than

So much more attractive than the hideous Lexus IS, but will it be offered with a petrol engine aside from the 3.5 V6 hybrid? I thought Infiniti were also going to use Merc's 1.6 Turbo from the A-Class in this model.

DBtechnician 5 March 2013

Need something different

For those looking for something different from the BMW 3 series why not, I suspect Infiniti will have to under cut the diesel 3 series to get any presence in Europe. Good luck to them cos it's nice to have choice. But why not make a diesel hybrid too?