Autoreview by Veeno Dewan
Sleek, sharp and sensuous, the luxury performance orientated Infiniti Q50 sedan is a very attractive proposition for performance drivers a refresh to the grille and headlights make for a more aggressive appearance, along with a redesigned lower air intake and newer daytime running lights. Engine of choice is a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 that arrives in either 300 hp or 400 hp state of tune teamed an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) hooked up to Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD).
There are a couple of trims available across the Q50, however engine, powertrain, suspension, and brakes are all the same. For 2020, the new pure variant was added. The Signature, Sport and I-Line Red Sport trims, all run on the V6 engine, which delivers 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque
The “Signature Edition” as tested came with the 3.0L V6 twin turbo paired with the 7-speed automatic transmission. A match that will aim to please with its smooth acceleration and high-speed cruising. Standard features include: Stability and traction control systems, ABS, brake force distribution and brake assist, Cruise control, forward emergency braking and collision warning, Rear view monitor, Auto collision notification and emergency call. The ProAssist trim adds intelligent cruise control, distance control assist, blind spot warming, lane departure prevention, front and rear parking sensors as well as the around view monitor with moving object detection.
The roomy front cabin has a center armrest with storage compartment, and as standard: remote engine start, Infiniti InTouch navigation with lane guidance and 3D building graphics, the Infiniti InTouch Services suite of digital alerts and remote services, voice recognition for audio, SMS text and vehicle info, power-adjustable lumbar support for the driver, two 12-volt, power outlets, auxiliary input jacks and two USB connection ports,
Our tester was the 3.0t Signature Edition highlighted by its 19 inch aluminum wheels, and unique exterior details such as: sport front bumper, chrome trim on the front fascia and a body-coloured rear decklid spoiler. Inside, you get a power-sliding tinted-glass moonroof, leather sport seating, extendible front seats, lumbar and torso support for the driver’s seat, split-folding rear seat admi eco pedal. The 3-spoke steering wheel is also leather wrapped. Most of the controls important to the driver are logically placed and comfortable to use. The audio system includes 6-speakers, AM/FM/HD/Radio/CD as well as the Sirius XM satellite radio. Apple Car-Play and Android Auto, Siri and Google Voice are all included.
Interior accoutrements also include the wonderful Kachu aluminum interior trim, aluminum doorsill kickplates with the Infiniti logo. The interior is luxurious, with a lot of soft touch materials everywhere in the cabin. The display screens work very well, and the interior is generally roomy, especially up front. The rear seats have a decent amount of leg and head room, although three people would be a squeeze in the rear. There is a fold-down rear-center armrest with cup holders. The rear compartment has a pass-through and 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks. Legroom, headroom and shoulder room are all good.
On the road, the Q50 is a nimble and responsive sedan with plenty of power. The 7-speed automatic transmission was sufficiently smooth and when in manual shift mode, downshifts included a very accurate rev matching feature. Stability is provided by the intelligent all-wheel drive system, independent front and rear suspension, as well the Infiniti’s vehicle dynamic and traction control systems. Acceleration off the line is impressive, with 0-100 km/h taking around 5.8 seconds. The car is nimble on corners and offers excellent lateral tracking on sharp bends purpose. The Q50 3.0t offers wonderful acceleration and the full force of 300 hp producing 295 lb-ft of torque between 1,600 and 5,200 rpm. The slick seven-speed automatic transmission has an adaptive learning algorithm that is able to will sense the driver’s style and adjust its shift points automatically. The Q50 arrives with driving modes, including Snow, Eco, Standard, Sport, and Personal; all accessible with a switch located on the center console.
Fuel economy is rated at 12.4 L/100 km in city driving and 8.7 on the highway which is not bad for this sector and the amount of power the V6 produces. To sum up The Q50 is a great alternative to other premium luxury makes offering a brilliant combination of power and performance. With either a 300 or 400 horsepower V6 option, the Q50 starts making a lot of sense against its competitors with its mix of attributes. The Signature Edition is fast, stylish and rather
desirable/
Infiniti Q50 3.0t Signature AWD priced from $46,495
More info at www.infiniti.ca
