Angel Sergeev is a seasoned automotive journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the automotive industry. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, he began his writing career in 2010 while pursuing a degree in Transportation Engineering.
His early work included contributions to the local edition of F1 Racing magazine (now GP Racing magazine) and roles at various automotive websites and magazines.
In 2013, Angel joined Motor1.com (formerly WorldCarFans), where he dedicated over a decade to delivering daily news and feature articles. His expertise spans a wide range of topics, including electric vehicles, classic cars, and industry topics. Angel’s commitment to automotive journalism is further demonstrated by his membership in the Bulgarian Car of the Year jury since 2013.
Skyline carries weight. For over half a century, the name has meant fast four-doors that handle and pull above their class. Japan kept the torch lit with the current sedan while the GT-R stole headlines. Now the story moves again. A brand-new Skyline generation is on the way for Japan and other overseas markets. It aims to honor the badge with sharp design, serious hardware, and real driver focus. In times when the market has fewer manual sedans and fewer rear-drive cars, early reports say the new Skyline will follow a classic recipe.
America will likely get its own version with an Infiniti badge. Details stay light, but reporting paints a clear outline – rear-wheel drive, a twin-turbo V6, and a manual for those who still love to shift. This feature gathers everything known so far and flags what remains uncertain.
Nissan says the Skyline story will continue. The company’s global design chief, Alfonso Albaisa, described the next car as “somewhere between the Z and the GT-R,” and pointed to a 2027 target. That sets the table for a new, rear-drive performance sedan with a clear mission. It also draws a hard line that this car won’t replace the GT-R. It will be its own thing.
The strongest public signal came during the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo. Nissan’s official show site listed the Skyline 400R Limited on the stand, a fresh, Japan-market update that quietly proves the nameplate remains active and relevant at home while the clean-sheet successor brews.
Media interviews at the show added detail. Albaisa told outlets the new Skyline would be “aggressive and modern,” with proportions that nod to late-’60s cars without going retro. That guidance gives a good read on intent even before the wraps come off. The message is simple – character, stance, and real performance, not nostalgia cosplay.
Timelines are shaping up. Multiple reports point to a 2027 debut window for the production car. That cadence fits Nissan’s broader product reshuffle and the need to re-energize its enthusiast base. If the Skyline launches first in Japan, an Infiniti-badged twin for the U.S. would logically follow close behind. Exact dates are not yet public, but the 2027 target appears consistent across sources.
One more piece locked into place stateside. At a U.S. dealer meeting, Nissan reportedly previewed an Infiniti sports sedan with rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and twin-turbo V6 power. Infiniti did not name the car then, but the brand acknowledged a “high-performance sports sedan” in its near-term product plan. That aligns with a Skyline-based Infiniti for America.
Design brief first. Nissan’s own words say the car should look “aggressive and modern,” not a nostalgia replica. Albaisa pushed journalists to imagine the expressive, blockier shapes of the 1968–1970 era, then apply that spirit to a 2027-ready form. Expect strong shoulders, a planted stance, and a fast profile that reads performance at a glance.
Nissan has also hinted at a four-door sedan or fastback rather than a coupe. That tracks with Skyline tradition and with the “between Z and GT-R” promise. Four doors keep it usable, while a fast roofline gives it the drama enthusiasts want. Don’t read “sedan” as dull here, the guidance points to presence and purpose.
Dealer-meeting footage, as described by reporters who saw it, showed a low, swoopy profile with slim headlights and circular taillights – a Skyline hallmark that many fans begged to keep. That single cue, done right, can bridge decades of Skyline lore with a fresh surface.
Expect more surfacing than the outgoing V37. The current car wears clean, conservative lines because it dates back to 2014. The new one sounds bolder by design. Albaisa’s “big, wide, and blocky” phrase suggests crisp volumes and muscular fenders rather than soft curves. Think of it as the Z’s athleticism translated for a four-door shape.
Cabin character will likely chase two goals – driver focus and premium feel. This car must satisfy owners who want a genuine sports-sedan vibe, but also those who use it daily. Good seats with real bolstering, a proper driving position, and clear analog-style readouts in digital form feel like safe bets. Consider that informed projection rather than a spec sheet.
Under the hood, the simplest and strongest path is Nissan’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo VR30 V6. It already powers the Nissan Z in 400-hp form and the Z Nismo at 420 hp. Multiple reports say the Skyline/Infiniti sedan will use this engine, likely tuned higher than today’s 400-hp baseline. The engine’s compact size and proven output make it a logical fit. Exact figures are not announced, though.
The headline many care about is the gearbox. Reports say a manual transmission will be on the menu. That would set this car apart in a segment that has lost three pedals. Infiniti’s own comment to the press referenced a “high-performance sports sedan” in its five-year plan, which aligns with a driver-focused spec. Official naming of the gearbox and ratios will come later, but the intent feels clear.
Layout is another big lever. Sources agree on rear-wheel drive as the core configuration. That keeps the steering honest and the balance playful. Some outlets suggest all-wheel drive and an automatic could join the range for broader appeal, but the hero spec reads as RWD plus a manual – simple, pure, and aimed at people who still love to shift.
Target output remains the big question. Car and Driver cites talk of “over 450 horsepower” for the new Infiniti version, which would clear the Z Nismo. That would position the sedan right in the hunt with today’s hot luxury four-doors while leaving room for a higher Red Sport variant. Still, until Nissan stamps numbers on a slide, treat these as early targets, not specs.
Platform strategy appears evolutionary. Reporting out of Tokyo floated that the car could leverage existing bones, as Nissan did with the Z, but with new bodywork and a fresh interior. That path would shorten timing and control cost without dulling the drive if the team retunes everything from bushings to brakes. Nissan has not detailed the chassis yet.
One last link – the Z Nismo’s confirmed manual in development proves Nissan still invests in stick-shift calibration for its twin-turbo V6. That work, even if model-specific, strengthens the case for a well-sorted manual sedan. It is not a direct proof of the Skyline/Infiniti gearbox, but it shows the brand’s commitment to the format.
What about the U.S. car? Multiple reports say America will get the Infiniti-badged version in the second half of 2027. The name is not final, but many reports refer to it as Q50S. Infiniti previewed the concept to dealers and nodded to the plan publicly when pressed. Timelines can slip, but 2027 remains the consistent signal.
Where will it be built? Reports point to Japan, which matches how Nissan handles the Z and the Japan-market Skyline. That matters for price and supply, because currency swings and shipping can move the sticker.
Benchmarks help frame price. The last U.S. Infiniti Q50 started at $44,200, while the Red Sport 400 opened at $58,050 for 2024. The 2026 Nissan Z Nismo sits at $66,995. If the new Infiniti sedan lands with 450-ish horsepower and a manual, it should sticker above the old Red Sport and near, or even north of, the Z Nismo in top trim. Bear in mind that is an informed context, not a quote from Infiniti.
Source: Nissan.
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