The original Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge concept made its debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

Infiniti’s new President Roland Kruger will be facing a tough decision in the coming weeks: whether to pull the plug on the high-performance Eau Rouge project launched by his predecessor.

The 550-horsepower Q50 Eau Rouge was meant to serve as the halo car for a brand desperate to establish a stronger global identity. But the project has been wracked by turmoil following a series of key defections from the automaker and its parent Nissan, notably the departure of former Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen who left to become the head of Cadillac.

Despite some reports that the Japanese luxury maker has scrubbed Eau Rouge, Michael Bartsch, the head of Infiniti operations in the U.S., stressed that no decision has yet been made. “We still don’t have an answer on whether it’s a go or no-go,” he said during an interview at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“We’re waiting for Roland to find out how he feels about (Eau Rouge),” Bartsch added.

(Click Here for a first look at the Q80 Inspiration, a concept sedan that could become Infiniti’s new flagship.)

Though Kruger, a former BMW executive, was named to replace de Nysschen last September, he only came onboard this month. Kruger declined to comment on the Eau Rouge topic, cautioning he was not yet up to speed.

Ultimately, the fate of the high-performance brand-within-a-brand – envisioned as a competitor to BMW’s M, and the Mercedes-Benz AMG line – will be a “pragmatic decision,” stressed the Australian Bartsch.

“There is a lot of emotional attachment to that car,” he said, referring to the Q50 Eau Rouge concept that originally debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2014. “But we recognize we have a lot of work to do” on other projects, Bartsch quickly emphasized.

Once limited to a handful of vehicles, Infiniti is planning to significantly expand its line-up in a bid to become a true global luxury player, rather than a Tier II brand largely limited to the U.S. market.

Infiniti's Q60 Coupe Concept will soon be followed by a new production model replacing the old G37.

That includes the new Q60 that debuted at this year’s Detroit Auto Show in concept form. The maker confirmed it will return in production trim about a year from now, though officials declined to provide many other details during their news conference at Cobo Hall.

“I can assure you the Q60 will be a performance car,” Bartsch promised. While declining to discuss specific details, such as horsepower and torque, he suggested “This car will be the halo car.”

(Click Here to check out the new Infiniti Q60 Coupe Concept.)

The low-slung and athletic Q60 Coupe Concept also offers a good look at the new design language that will be used for future Infiniti models.

While high-performance cars don’t generate huge sales, they help define their brands, which is why makers like Cadillac and Lexus have begun expanding their own lines. The Japanese maker brought its new GS F to this year’s Detroit show, while Cadillac revealed the 640-horsepower CTS-V.

“I don’t think the spirit of Eau Rouge ever goes away,” said Infiniti’s Bartsch. “It will be built into all our future models…(which will have) a strong appeal to performance-minded drivers.”

(From track to street: Click Here to find out how Infiniti is using its winning F1 program to improve its street machines.)