The first iteration of this nameplate arrived with Infiniti’s brand launch, positioned as a compact grand tourer rather than a full-size luxury flagship. Introduced for the 1990 model year alongside the Q45, it gave the new Japanese luxury division a two-door alternative in its opening lineup and was aimed at buyers who wanted style and smooth-road cruising more than outright performance. The model was offered first as a coupe, and a convertible version followed for the second model year, giving it a small but distinctive place in Infiniti history.
Built on Nissan’s Japanese-market hardware and adapted for the North American luxury brand, the car reflected Infiniti’s early strategy of importing proven Nissan engineering and wrapping it in a more upscale presentation. Its long-hood, rear-wheel-drive layout and V6 powertrain made it one of the more unusual entries in Infiniti’s early catalog, especially compared with the sedans that later defined the brand. Production was brief, ending after the 1992 model year, which makes it one of the rarest early Infiniti models and an important part of the brand’s launch-era identity.
Enthusiasts remember it as a transitional car: not a high-volume success, but an important statement piece that helped establish Infiniti as more than a one-car brand at the outset.