Infiniti Hints at 550hp Turbocharged Infiniti M

The media and enthusiasts did not accept Infiniti's plan to change its naming scheme well. While the current scheme might be confusing to people not familiar with the brand, it had its own internal logic with letters higher in the alphabet indicating larger or more luxurious cars and numbers indicating displacement. In a letter posted on Infiniti'sInfinitiJapan, 1989 > present31 models
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 Facebook page, Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen tried to assuage fans' fears by explaining the situation in a different way. He also hinted at a future turbocharged Infiniti MInfiniti M Gen.3Japan, 2010 > present22 versions
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with over 550hp. 

De Nysschen second reason for the change in the letter says: "Our new advanced technology engines under development will be smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient yet more powerful. And we will introduce some exhilarating performance machines in the future. I'm sure you will agree, it would be a bit odd to have a powerful, luxurious and refined V8 powered Infiniti M56Infiniti M 56Japan, 2011 > present3 photos
, then position a new high-tech 550+ horsepower performance flagship for the Infiniti M range above it, using a potent charged induction V6, but then call it Infiniti M30, which we would be obliged to do, following our current naming logic."

Reading that it is unclear whether de Nysschen means the 550hp Infiniti M as an example or if it is a car it is actually developing. We have contacted Infiniti for clarification. 

If this turns out to be a real car, it will be a major shift for Infiniti. While it has certainly had powerful models in the past, it has never had a vehicle that could be compared against the M5BMW M5Germany, 2012 > 200028 photos
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or E-Class AMGMercedes-Benz E63 AMG SedanUnited States of America, 2010 > present5 photos
. The company has been saying that it wants to give itself a sportier image, and this would certainly be a way to do it. 

According to de Nysschen, a major reason for the new name is that it is available, and the company already owned the rights to Q and QX plus a two-digit number. 

"There are no suitable combinations of Alphanumeric naming options remaining which are not already trademarked by another automaker. In order to expand our line up with the fascinating new models we are developing, we must create a more flexible nomenclature philosophy," said de Nysschen in the letter. 

Source: Infiniti Facebook