Infiniti Q50 to Offer JDM Skyline Conversion as Dealer-Installed Option, Confirms Nissan Executive

Nissan enthusiasts in the U.S. may soon have the opportunity to transform their Infiniti Q50 into a JDM Skyline, thanks to a potential dealer-installed retrofit kit. The revelation comes from Ponz Pandikuthira, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for Nissan North America, during an exclusive interview with The Drivecast.

When asked whether Nissan would consider offering a JDM retrofit kit at U.S. Infiniti dealerships for the upcoming Q50, Pandikuthira responded with a definitive “Yes.”

Nissan’s Skyline Revival and the Infiniti Q50 Connection

Just over a week prior to the announcement, Nissan teased a new Skyline sedan for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM). Days later, Christian Meunier, Chairman of Nissan Americas, confirmed that the new Skyline would indeed be the next-generation Infiniti Q50 for the U.S. market. The Q50 has been teased as a high-horsepower sport sedan with a manual transmission.

Powertrain and Transmission Details

Pandikuthira specified that the powertrain for the conversion would be the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 from the Nissan Z, paired with the same car’s 6-speed manual transmission. This setup aligns with the performance-focused direction of the upcoming Q50.

Factory Support, Warranties, and Tuner Partnerships

Pandikuthira expanded on the “yes” response, noting that Nissan is exploring multiple avenues to make the conversion a reality:

• Tunable powertrains: Any powertrain brought to the U.S. will be tunable, allowing owners to work with approved tuners.
• Factory-backed options: Nissan aims to offer the conversion through the factory with full warranties, where feasible.
• Tuner collaborations: For lower-volume markets, Nissan may partner with tuners to ensure the conversion is accessible. The company has done this before and is open to formalizing such partnerships.
• ECU mapping and supply chain: Nissan will provide tuners with the necessary ECU data and supply chain support to ensure a seamless and functional conversion.

“So that’s an absolute yes.” Pandikuthira stated.

Catering to Purists and Niche Buyers

Pandikuthira also addressed the idea of creating an Infiniti-branded version of the Skyline, which would appeal to purists seeking an authentic JDM experience. He acknowledged that this niche market consists of collectors who are unlikely to frequently trade in their vehicles but want to preserve a piece of automotive heritage in their garages.

“

And those who are in it, they know it and these aren’t people who are trading their cars in and out, but they want to keep this collector toy in their garage. And we’d like to make that happen,”

Ponz Pandikuthira, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer, Nissan North America

The executive emphasized Nissan’s willingness to facilitate these conversions, ensuring that enthusiasts can enjoy a car that closely resembles the JDM Skyline.