Slick styling inside and out; lots of clever stuff; a diesel to challenge the Euros; Hybrid to chall
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In cricket terms, establishing a start-up automotive brand is a five-day test match, not a three-hour T20 ‘bash’. Carshowroom.com.au has friends in high places at Infiniti - Nissan’s prestige sub-brand - and they tell us the Australian operation is primed for a long stint at the crease (they know the Lexus story here and the staggering 60-plus brands competing in a market of just over 1.0-million sales per year).
Equally Infiniti knew launching in Australia with the outdated ‘M’ sedan range was less than ideal (but that timing got the stunning FX crossover here fresh). But now Infiniti is back in the prestige mid-size sedan segment with the excellent Q50 range.
The Q50’s looks, technology and standard kit perfectly highlight Infiniti’s progression. Where previously the focus was North America, Japan and the Middle East (where the brand is hugely successful), Infiniti knows the Q50 and upcoming all-new models must achieve greater success in Europe and Asia (hence the company’s head-office relocating to Hong Kong).
Infiniti Q50 Overview
Here now are five Infiniti Q50 models with a choice of 2.2-litre turbo-diesel or 3.5-litre V6 petrol/electric hybrid. Infiniti has launched the new sedan in its usual model grades – entry-level ‘GT’ (diesel-only), mid-grade ‘S’ and range-topping ‘S Premium’.
The ultimate Infiniti Q50, the 3.5 Hybrid S Premium, is exclusively all-wheel-drive while the rest are rear-drive.
A turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol variant will join the lineup in six months.
Infiniti knows it has its work cut-out to conquest sales in this segment and has smartly brought the Q50 to market with impressive equipment levels across the range. There’s the online stuff which we expect these days plus some interesting new arrivals: Direct Adaptive Steering is a ‘fly-by-wire’ system which takes steering technology to a new level; Predictive Forward Collision Warning bounces radar beams under the car in front to keep an eye on the vehicle two-in-front in case it brakes hard and Back-Up Collision Intervention monitors objects moving behind when you’re reversing.
The range is:
2.2d GT $51,900
2.2d S $57,900
2.2d S Premium $61,900
3.5 Hybrid S $67,900
3.5 Hybrid S Premium (AWD) $73,900
Over the GT grade, S adds extras such as 19-inch (Hybrid) or 18-inch (diesel) alloy wheels, Direct Adaptive Steering with active lane control (DAS), 14-speaker BOSE ‘Studio On Wheels’ audio, sports front bumper, sunroof and, for the Hybrid, sports-tuned suspension and sports brakes with regenerative function.
S Premium models score the fantastic new technology such as Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention, Back-up Collision Intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control and active front lights.
Infiniti Q50 Engine
Under an engineering collaboration with Daimler, Infiniti takes the Q50’s diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz. The engines are supplied complete and while Infiniti fits its own intercooler, about the only other extras (apart from engine mounts) are the air inlet and sump.
It’s a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. Maximum power is 125kW between 3200rpm-4200rpm and peak torque of 400Nm is available from 1600rpm-2800rpm. Aided by an Infiniti-first auto start/stop system, combined cycle fuel consumption is rated at 5.2l/100kms.
The diesel-powered Infiniti Q50 drives the rear wheels via a conventional torque convertor and seven-speed automatic transmission.
Petrol power is provided by Infiniti’s 3.5-litre V6 petrol/electric hybrid. This drives the rear wheels or all-wheel-drive system via an innovative dual-clutch/seven-speed transmission combo which (coming from the front) works like this: Engine-Clutch-Electric Motor-Transmission-Clutch (there is no torque converter).
So we have 225kW/350Nm from the petrol V6 and 50kW/290Nm from the electric motor. The combined output is 268kW/546Nm and combined cycle fuel consumption is listed at 6.8l/100kms (RWD) or 7.2l/100kms (AWD).
Infiniti Q50 The Interior
Infiniti styling is primarily driven from Nissan’s design studio in La Jolla, California, working in collaboration with other studios in Japan and Europe. This is one area where Infiniti had some ground to make-up in comparison with some rivals and one look inside confirms the teams have delivered big-time with the Infiniti Q50.
In fact we’d go as far as saying the Infiniti Q50’s interior is one of the best of the current generation in terms of aesthetics and thought-through functionality. We like the centre console twin TFT screens (upper for satellite navigation and cameras), the cockpit layout (handy instruments and lots of electronic adjustment for the three-spoke leather steering wheel which is perfectly sized) and the quality trim inclusions in alloy (a look called ‘Kacchu’ in Japan) or timber.
And, after a full day behind the wheel, we like the supportive front seats which have a story to tell. Infiniti called on NASA technology (neutral posture in zero gravity) and seat simulation testing in conjunction with Keio University’s Yamazaki Laboratory to develop the Q50’s front seats with a focus on spinal support.
Surround-view and Back-Up Collision Intervention cameras are as good as they come and the Bose 14-speaker Studio On Demand System (S and S Premium) is a gem which directs individual instrument sounds to specific speakers.
Rear seat accommodation, while not massive, is comparable with the likes of Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series. The diesel-powered Infiniti Q50 provides 500-litres of cargo capacity and a 60:40 split-fold rear seat and you get 400-litres in the Hybrid version (storage for the lithium-ion battery pack prevents a split-fold rear seat).
Infiniti Q50 Exterior & Styling
There’s a powerful look about the Infiniti Q50 which brings some welcome ‘muscle’ to the premium mid-size sedan segment. And more than a few clues from recent Infiniti concept cars – Essence (‘Crescent-Cut’ C-pillars), Etherea (headlights) and Emerg-E (double-arch grille).
At the front, we particularly like that grille/headlights combo which blends with nice curves for the bonnet and front three-quarters. Same for the sides with curves to give width and those upscale ‘Crescent Cut’ rear doors.
For the rear, high-mounted tail-lights and a stylish bootlip spoiler provide a cohesive, modern appearance. ‘Zero-lift’ was the aerodynamic concept and there’s no doubt the Infiniti Q50 looks planted (and slippery – the drag Cd just 0.26).
The whole look is distinctly ‘un-Japanese’ as Infiniti targets customers in North America and Europe.
Infiniti Q50 On The Road
For the Infiniti Q50, the ‘Elephant In The Room’ is American automotive media criticism of the ‘Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS). While the Stateside journos thought DAS (with no mechanical link to the steering) was lifeless, Infiniti says its ground-breaking system eliminates ‘bad’ feedback to the driver (such as kickback) while providing instantaneous response.
Infiniti called-in its big gun – F1 champion Sebastian Vettel – did some testing and implemented software changes. After driving the DAS-equipped Infiniti Q50 3.5 Hybrid S Premium on city, freeway and high-speed mountain roads – we reckon it’s a fantastic system.
Perhaps conscious of that North American point of view, Infiniti Australia arranged for the twisty climb up to the Lake Mountain ski resort North-West of Melbourne to be closed to the public and let us loose. Here’s the thing: like most AWD cars, the Infiniti Q50’s ‘default’ set-up at high-speed is understeer and the response of the DAS-equipped car we drove was spot-on – we certainly knew which way the front wheels were pointing and their level of grip.
At normal speeds on the road the Q50 3.5 Hybrid S Premium was very, very high standard. Acceleration was strong, refinement levels high (wind noise around the exterior mirrors notwithstanding) and the hybrid system’s integration was virtually un-noticed (the Q50 can cruise at seeds up to 100km/h on pure electric power).
We also spent some time in the entry-level Infiniti Q50 2.2d GT. Interestingly, in comparison with the DAS-fitted 3.5 Hybrid S, the turbo-diesel did require noticeably more steering lock in corners (not a criticism, the DAS car just seemed more direct in its response). As you would expect, the Daimler-sourced turbo-diesel was impressively quiet at all speeds and surged strongly when the right pedal was nailed.
Infiniti Q50 Challenges
Disappointing level of wind noise around the exterior mirrors in the Infiniti Q50s we drove.
Infiniti Q50 Verdict
“Can’t you feel ‘em schoolin’ around,” sings Jimmy Buffet about sharks in his song Fins – and for the Infiniti Q50 there’s plenty of hungry Great Whites already in the water. Stealing even just a nibble from Audi A4, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series will take some doing.
But if we’re in the market, we’re asking our finance guy to get some lease rates on the Infiniti Q50 so we can do a comparo. We really like the Infiniti’s looks inside and out, the specifications and technology may be the best in-class and it’s a good steer.
This is the sedan Infiniti has been waiting for…and it’s been worth the wait.
Infiniti Q50 The Competition
Right Off the bat – four Car Showroom Favourite vehicles – Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS and BMW 3 Series.
Audi is a fascinating brand these days – not a sub-par car anywhere in the lineup and prices across the range which are pin-sharp. No better example than the slick A4 sedan – starting from $55,500. The 2.0 TFSI engine is one of our all-time favourites.
Merc’s all-new C-Class has debuted in the Northern Hemisphere and its coming with glorious new looks, new fuel-efficient engines and staggering technology. It will no doubt be brilliant – and it will need to be to beat the current model which starts at $59,900.
Infiniti’s most obvious rival, the Lexus IS is a cracker – a real drivers’ car in F Sport guise. Surprisingly no hybrid in the current range which starts at $55,900 (+$4,000 over the Infiniti Q50).
What can you say about the BMW 3 Series? Well, let’s start with styling – it’s the best looker in this crowd in our eyes. Starting price is $52,300, there’s a hybrid (albeit $99,700 sticker) and BMW’s driving dynamics always delight.
