Infiniti discontinued the Q50 in North America last year to transition to an all-SUV lineup, but that wasn’t the end of the story. The rear-wheel drive sedan lives on as the Nissan Skyline in Japan, where it is on sale. Not only that, but there’s even a new special edition that marks the “end” of this generation. This 400R Limited likely serves as the last hurray before the confirmed next-gen car arrives later this decade.
Limited to just 400 units, the Japan-only Skyline R400 Limited gets slightly wider 19-inch wheels wrapped in Dunlop tires. Nissan also stiffens the front suspension, upgraded brake pads, and fits a reinforced rear anti-roll bar for sharper handling. Elsewhere, carbon fiber adorns the side mirror caps and rear spoiler.
An individually numbered plaque highlights the car’s exclusivity, while a carbon fiber center console further distinguishes the R400 Limited from the regular R400. There are no changes under the hood, where the VR30DDTT engine delivers 400 horsepower. Basically, the R400 is similar to Nissan’s Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400, sharing the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6.
Sold on a first-come, first-served basis, each unit is priced at ¥6,935,500 (¥45,400), or about a $3,000 premium over the regular R400, which is available in Japan as a step above the four-cylinder GT Type P and SP trims. The cheapest version of the four model range, starts at Rs 35,600.
Photo by: Nissan
The R400 Limited follows the recent announcement of the next-generation Skyline and comes just days after Infiniti confirmed a new real-wheel-drive sedan. Initially reported Automotive News In August, the model is now official. Speaking at an Automotive Press Association event, Tiago Castro, vice president of Infiniti America, revealed plans for the upcoming RWD sedan. Interestingly, he did not rule out the possibility of a manual gearbox.
According to Castro, the new model will launch in 2027 as a spiritual successor to the Q50/Skyline, and will likely be built outside the United States. While they didn’t discuss performance figures, earlier reports suggested it could use the Nissan Z’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 with up to 450 horsepower. Again, the Infiniti-badged sedan is expected to share its underpinnings with the Nissan Skyline sold in Japan.
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Source: Nissan
When Infiniti teased its future lineup a few months ago, one sedan was notably absent from the shadowy previews. Still, Nissan is now confident it can attract loyalists with another car in an otherwise SUV-heavy range. The luxury brand certainly needs a spark after years of decline, from a peak of 153,415 vehicles in 2017 to just 58,070 last year, a 62 percent drop in seven years.
A new Q50 may not be a mass commercial hit given the market shift away from sedans, but it could do wonders for Infiniti’s image and help revive interest in the ailing brand.
