Nissan’s luxury division is staging its biggest comeback in decades

Infiniti’s current lineup may seem a bit sparse. But Nissan’s luxury division is looking to change that, in a very sizable way.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Infiniti’s planning what could likely be its biggest comeback in decades. Said comeback involves building its model range up to a total of new models before the 2020s come to an end.

Restoring Infiniti to its former glory

It wasn’t too long ago when Infiniti offered a rather comprehensive lineup. The company’s model range was just as diverse as its rivals, with offerings in the compact and midsize premium sedan space.

To a full-size SUV based off the Nissan Armada, and a whole fleet of crossover SUVs. However, after many of said models aged out within the last few years, Infiniti’s offerings shrunk to a trickle.

Today, only three models remain on sale: the midsize QX60, the QX65 and the QX80. Additionally, because Nissan’s been in a bit of a financial pickle over the last several years and beyond, Infiniti took the brunt of the problem as the cash-strapped carmaker struggled to make ends meet.

The result was a lineup that went stale and new models that came across as underwhelming. Which, comparatively speaking is the complete opposite of what Infiniti used to be, especially during the late 1990s and throughout the 2000s.

Now, Nissan and Infiniti are hoping to recapture some of the premium brand’s glory with a new and full lineup.

Reviving Infiniti as a performance brand

According to Infiniti USA’s CEO, Eric Ledieu, it is preparing to launch seven new models before 2030 arrives. The plan is to repopulate Infiniti’s range and hopefully restore the brand’s presence and appeal to what it once was.

“Infiniti was lacking product,” Ledieu told Freep. “We’ve got three vehicles in the showroom today. We’ll have seven by the end of the decade.”

So far, we already know the new model range includes a driving enthusiast-aimed V6-powered sedan (and possibly coupe), which will even come with the option for three pedals. Rumors already point to a new Q50 sedan, or the model that was once celebrated as the G35 and G37 sedan.

The Q50/G35/G37 were essentially Japanese Domestic Market Nissan Skyline sedans and coupes repurposed and rebadged as Infinitis. But because they offered rear-wheel drive performance with optional manual transmissions, and potent turbo-fours and V6s, they became known as a bigtime performance bargain. Especially when compared to its European rivals.

The other models reportedly include a new compact gas-electric hybrid SUV as a replacement for the old QX50 and two new body-on-frame SUVs. The recently introduced QX65 and a next-gen QX60 will also count towards the new lineup of seven.

Additionally. Ledieu pledged to remind everyone Infiniti’s a performance brand aimed at enthusiasts. That perception has been a part of the carmaker’s image since it launched in the 1980s.