Infiniti eyeing a new performance sub-brand to tackle BMW M & Mercedes AMG – report

Infiniti has recently revealed the desire to launch a new performance sub-brand.

Speaking recently Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen made this announcement and stated that this model will tackle BMW M and Mercedes AMG and will consist of “high-end performance cars that take no prisoners.” Johan de Nysschen went on to say that not every single model will necessary get a performance variant but he does see the need for a legitimate performance brand.

Infiniti Americas Vice President Michael Bartsch further added that “Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) is there, but it’s by no means an accomplished fact that it will be the nomenclature for the new performance brand for Infiniti.” He further clarified that the decision was completely open.

As previously reported, the Infiniti Performance Line was launched with the IPL G Coupe in the year 2010. It came with various styling tweaks as well as a sport-tuned suspension, high-performance brakes and an upgraded engine that generates an output of 348 hp (260 kW) and 276 lb-ft (374 Nm) of torque which is a modest increase of just 18 hp (13 kW) and 6 lb-ft (8 Nm).