--- title: "Infiniti Is Building a ‘High-Horsepower’ Manual Sports Sedan" date: "2026-04-03" modified: "2026-04-03" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/infiniti-is-building-a-high-horsepower-manual-sports-sedan" categories: - "Infiniti News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "luxury" - "sports car" --- # Infiniti Is Building a ‘High-Horsepower’ Manual Sports Sedan ![Infiniti Project Black S]() It would be an understatement to say [Infiniti]() has [squandered good will]() and [squashed enthusiasts' dreams]() at multiple points in history. But the automaker's about to, hopefully, make good on broken promises and make it up to its fans. A true sports car is coming, and it sounds hot. On Wednesday at the 2026 New York auto show, Senior Vice President of U.S. Marketing and Sales of Nissan and Infiniti Tiago Castro told *The Drive* the upcoming Infiniti sport sedan will have "high horsepower" and "it will come with a manual transmission." Castro said, "Infiniti is committed to that vehicle (referencing the sports sedan)" and confirmed the car is indeed a sedan. There's little doubt the resurrection of the Infiniti sport sedan will be based on the [latest Nissan Z and its manual transmission](). While not ready to talk horsepower numbers, Castro, who's first Infiniti when he joined the company was a G35 with a manual transmission, described the sedan as "exciting," as he slid towards the edge of his seat. Castro knows the take rate for the manual transmission, or possibly even the sports sedan itself, will be low, but it's important. The executive said, "We need that connection with where the brand is. Going back to where Infiniti was successful. It's when we connected with our customer base. And our customer base wants a Q50S performance car that they can drive, whether it's a manual or automatic. So that's exciting. I don't expect the volume to be very high, but it's more of a niche vehicle, but it's an opportunity vehicle." At one point the world was set to (possibly) [get a Formula 1-inspired Infiniti Q60 Black S](). It was essentially a hotted up hybrid Nissan Z with a twin-turbo V6 and Renault F1 hybrid tech. [It didn't happen](). Let's not forget about the [GT-R-powered Q50 Eau Rouge](), which would've been a BMW M3 eater, but then wasn't. Enthusiasts likely haven't forgotten that the Q60 Coupe and Q50 sedan were left to die on the vine only to be killed off so [Infiniti could build more crossovers.]() What's different this time? At least for the moment, both the [new head of Nissan](), which owns Infiniti, and head of Nissan and Infiniti U.S. are enthusiasts. There are car people in the hot seat. *Got a tip about future product? Send us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()