Infiniti Q60 Coupe
International Launch Review
San Diego, USA
Infiniti has thrown out a new challenge to the likes of Audi's new A5 Coupe, BMW’s 4 Series and the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe with its new Q60 Coupe. Based on an evolution of the Nissan 370Z platform, the Japanese premium brand's slinky third-generation mid-size coupe, which started life as the G37, will arrive Down Under in November. It will initially be powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine hooked up to a seven-speed auto, and priced from less than $65,000, in line with its forebear and its chief rivals. Tested here, however, is the only variant available at the global launch, the 298kW twin-turbo V6 that will top the new Q60 range from next May.
It’s been almost a year since Infiniti debuted its third-generation mid-size coupe, the new Q60, at the Detroit motor show early this year in North America, where Infiniti sales are up 16 per cent year-on-year, buoyed by a mix of new and updated models.
Following the recently-launched Q30 and QX30, nearly all of these are set to land Down Under, where Nissan's luxury brand commands much less brand awareness.
But it’s the subject of this review that best encapsulates the design and technological hallmarks of the Infiniti brand. This is a car that pushes the envelope in both respects, offering a host of engine, chassis, infotainment and safety advancements and sort of avant-garde styling you'd expect from a Japanese luxury marque.
Like the model it replaces, the new Q60 will be priced to compete directly with mid-size German coupes like Audi’s new A5 Coupe, Mercedes-Benz’s strong-selling C-Class and the BMW 4 Series, as well as the Lexus RC.
Therefore, base variants will again be priced from under $65,000, but this time they will not be powered by a 3.7-litre naturally-aspirated V6, but a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol making 155kW/350Nm. The direct-injected unit is said to consume 9.8L/100km of fuel and emit 154g/km of CO2.
The real story here is Infiniti’s zesty new VR-series 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, married to an adaptive seven-speed automatic transmission and available in both rear-wheel drive and rear-biased all-wheel drive configurations. Australians will only be offered the rear-drive version.
The lightweight V6 is offered in two states of tune: 224kW/400Nm (10.2L/100km and 154g/km) or 298kW/475Nm (10.7L/100km and 206g/km).
In Infiniti Australia's staggered launch program, four-cylinder variants will arrive first, landing in dealerships this November, with 298kW V6 models to follow next May.
Pricing is yet to be announced, but expect a figure close to the outgoing Q60's $63,900 starting price for the four-cylinder, rising to about $95,000 – or BMW 440i money – for the V6.
Lower and wider than its forebear, the new Q60 Coupe again builds on the strengths of Nissan’s 370Z platform and adds new electronic adaptive steering (on V6 models) and electronic adaptive suspension damping.
Each has the ability to be tailored to driver preference via Infiniti’s seven-mode Drive Mode Selector, sharpening steering and chassis response and improving feedback.
In combination with standard 19-inch alloy wheels, the Q60 Coupe has a more aggressive stance and a higher capacity for lateral G-forces. It’s also more aerodynamic than before (0.28Cd), with active grille shutters and fender vents cooperating to improve cooling and reduce drag.
Nissan's luxury brand says its latest Q60 Coupe is designed to be instantly recognisable as an Infiniti. No arguments there. The deep curves and creases of the concept model are evident, some requiring the use of resin-based panels to achieve lines not possible in sheetmetal.
Matched with familiar family elements, including the double-arch grille and crescent-shaped C-pillars, are LED headlights with Light Guide Technology designed to emulate the shape of the human eyelid, providing an “alluring face”.
Creative narratives continue inside the cabin. Styled on a driver’s glove, the driver-centric cockpit blends modern, high-quality materials and bold, flowing lines.
Accented with aluminium, carbon-fibre or timber garnishes, the cabin’s fixed surfaces are contrasted by supple, ergonomically-sculpted and heated leather upholstery available in black, red or white with silver fibreglass accents or contrasting stitch work.
The cabin of the Q60 Coupe is said to be one of the quietest in its class and it's certainly serene. Thanks to additional bracing, thicker glass and improved suspension insulation, noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels are significantly reduced – even the wheel spokes are designed to dampen vibrations.
There’s also Active Noise Cancelling technology similar to that found in your headphones to counter any “negative noise frequencies from intruding on the calm of the cabin”.
We often talk of infotainment systems as being intuitive – easy for the operator to understand and operate. Many are not.
Infiniti recognises this issue and tackles it head-on with a system it calls InTuition. The dual central control screens are the latest of their kind, and as well as being personalisable for easier access to a driver’s most-used functions, offer faster processing speeds and more perceptive interaction of audio, climate, navigation, phone and even seating systems.
Being a new take on an old problem, Infiniti’s new interface takes a little time to learn. It’s hard to master on-the-go, and is best studied and personalised before taking to the road.
The Q60 Coupe also debuts the BOSE Performance Series premium audio system, a 13-speaker ‘fully immersive’ package specifically tailored to the acoustics of the cabin, and it sounds great.
Safety is well covered here, the Q60 Coupe offering a comprehensive range of active and passive safety technologies, including a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control capable of ‘seeing’ two cars ahead, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane-departure prevention, blind-spot monitoring with steering intervention and reverse collision protection.
Taking to the roads outside San Diego, it’s the serenity of the cabin that impresses most. It’s a quiet, enjoyable cabin filled with rich, well assembled materials.
There’s little road noise at all, just a hint of wind across the mirror caps. There’s also very little drama from the engine or exhaust, which is a shame considering we driving the flagship 298kW Red Sport V6.
With the performance on hand we’d have expected a little more involvement, too. The steer-by-wire system is lifeless in terms of feedback, and at times too quick in its ratio. It’s adjustable, of course, and this is a car that takes learning because its many personalities take time to match to the driver – something we expect owners will either love or hate.
That’s not to say the Q60 doesn’t handle. It’s a grippy coupe with a predictable character and just the right amount of attitude. In its sportier modes the Q60 allows just enough wheelspin and oversteer to make fast roads enjoyable. The stability control intervenes gently as required, allowing you to find the car’s limits easily and safely.
We love that Infiniti has managed to remove lag from the turbocharging process. The sequential twin turbo set-up is as responsive as it is linear, providing crisp, effortless acceleration, beautifully matched to the seven-speed auto.
The transmission complies well with instructions from the paddles and is quite liberal in allowing downshifts from high RPM. Yes, a rev-blipping dual-clutch would be better, but perhaps we’ll see something on that front when Infiniti moves to challenge AMG.
In short, the Q60 is a terrific blend of prestige and athleticism. It goes, turns and stops well, lacking only in its feedback through the tiller. Yes, Infiniti has come mighty close to nailing the ideal sports coupe.
Of course, the company says its newest Q60 Coupe will re-ignite its presence in the premium sports coupe segment, and we think it will. After all, if the new Q60 doesn't change the minds of Australians about Infiniti, nothing will.
2016 Infiniti Q60 Coupe pricing and specifications:
Price: $63,900, $94,000 (estimated)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol, 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol
Output: 155kW/350Nm, 298kW/475Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.8L/100km; 10.7L/100km
CO2: 154g/km, 206g/km
Safety rating: TBA
Also consider:
>> BMW 4 Series (from $68,900 plus ORCs)
>> Lexus RC (from $65,090 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe (from $65,900 plus ORCs)