You know Infiniti, you may even love Infiniti, but what's going on behind the scenes at Infiniti right now is pretty exciting. They had us out to Nashville this week to talk about the 2027 QX65, but there’s a lot more happening within the brand. With this new nameplate just launching and more already in the pipeline, the brand isn’t slowing down. And while we did learn plenty about the QX65, reading between the lines revealed a lot more than just one new SUV, including a manual sedan and a much bigger performance plan.The common thread through all of it is performance, not just as a spec sheet number, but as something that actually shapes the way these vehicles are built and who they’re built for. When asked how to describe where the brand stands right now, Eric Ledieu, Vice President of Infiniti Americas, put it simply: “Infiniti is back.” Not trying to oversell it, but just a clear signal that they know where they’re going. Infiniti Signals A Shift Back To Performance InfinitiPerformance isn’t something new that Infiniti is chasing. It’s something they believe has always been part of the brand. As Ledieu put it, “part of our DNA is about performance.” And now, they are putting that back into practice. Infiniti isn't just putzing around with some ideas and hoping for the best; they are actually full speed ahead with testing, bringing rugged concepts into the mix, AND planning some exciting new performance models."There is a thirst for that all day long, especially in the enthusiast space.”One of the slides told us that we have some concrete plans for the next era, which include: V6 performance sports sedan Two body-on-frame SUVs with V6 and hybrid options A high-performance QX80 A hybrid midsize SUV Broader powertrain diversification InfinitiThe standout here is the performance sedan and those V6-powered SUVs. If you’ve followed Infiniti for a while, you already know what cars like the G37 and Q50 meant to the brand. Last year, global design chief Alfonso Albaisa described the next car as “somewhere between the Z and the GT-R,” and it sounds like a new Q50 with a manual transmission is actually coming to fruition. And if you're asking, do people actually want that? As Infiniti Americas Vice President Eric Ledieu put it, “The answer is yes…There is a thirst for that all day long, especially in the enthusiast space.” That’s a pretty direct way of saying the demand is still there, and it explains why the next wave of products looks the way it does.InfinitiHe even noted that we could get some Red Sport options, like we previously saw on the 400-hp Q50 Red Sport, but it likely wouldn't be called "Red Sport." At the same time, there’s more discipline behind it now. Instead of trying to chase every segment, the focus is tighter. “Do less things, but do them well.” That shows up in the decision to shrink the global lineup and free up resources, which is something you don’t hear brands say this directly very often. A lot of that effort is being redirected into powertrains and performance-focused development. Not just one direction, but multiple, which ends up being just as important as the products themselves. The SUVs That Make This Plan Work And What Comes Next NissanThe sedan might grab the attention, but the SUVs are what make this strategy actually work. Infiniti confirmed that two body-on-frame SUVs are on the way, both expected to offer V6 power, with the possibility of V6 hybrid setups as well. It's nice to hear that performance isn’t going away, it’s just evolving, and Infiniti is evolving along with it. InfinitiThere’s still a lot we don’t know here, which makes it even more interesting. Could this tie into something like an Xterra-style revival with Infiniti positioning? Could it be something entirely new? Either way, these are clearly aimed at buyers who still care about capability, durability, and what their vehicle can actually do. Then there’s the hybrid midsize SUV, which would be a great option for buyers. Internally, confidence around that one is high. It was described as “an absolute home run for us,” which tells you how important it is to the lineup moving forward.INFINITIAs Ledieu put it, the upcoming performance version of the QX80 “will be a blast to drive.” Lest we forget the QX80 R-Spec from SEMA, with 1,000 horsepower, custom Garrett G-series turbochargers, JE pistons, Boostline rods, and a Motec engine management system. Looking at all of this together, it doesn’t feel like a collection of random ideas. Infiniti is focusing on performance, giving itself flexibility with V6 and hybrid powertrains, and building a lineup that makes sense again. And if they follow through on this, it might be the most interesting Infiniti has been in a long time. Why Infiniti Isn’t Choosing Between Gas And Electric Amanda Cline / HotCarsInfiniti isn’t trying to pick a side right now. It’s not going all-in on electric, and it’s not holding onto gas like nothing is changing. It’s doing both, and more importantly, it’s leaving room in the middle. That means V6 engines are still very much part of the plan, and hybrids are coming in strong. And yes, fully electric is still in the picture, too. All of it is being developed at the same time, which tells you they’re not ready to commit to just one direction yet. And based on what we've seen over the last few months with other brands, that tracks with where the market is right now.Amanda Cline / HotCarsRegulations keep shifting depending on where you are, customer demand isn’t consistent, and what works for one buyer doesn’t always work for the next. Infiniti acknowledged that pretty directly: “There’s a place for internal combustion. There’s a place for full electric, and there’s a place in between,” Ledieu said.That middle space is where much of this strategy lives, and it explains why they’re cutting back the overall lineup. Fewer vehicles mean more resources to actually develop the ones that matter. As they put it, “it frees up capital to be able to invest in powertrain diversification.” And that’s really what this comes down to: instead of forcing everything in one direction, they’re giving themselves options. When you step back and look at everything they laid out, this isn’t about one new SUV, even if the QX65 is a strong place to start. It’s a broader shift, with a manual sedan, capable SUVs, and a mix of V6 and hybrid power all pointing in the same direction. It feels more focused and more intentional. Instead of trying to cover every segment, Infiniti is focusing its energy on the parts of the lineup that matter and building around them. If these new models come to fruition, it could change how people view the brand again, which is something Infiniti has been trying to figure out for a while.