Reviews
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THE Infiniti Q60 S makes for a refreshing alternative to the European set. However, it doesn’t quite supersede them.
WHAT IS IT? This is Infiniti’s flagship coupe, complete with the brand’s newly developed twin-turbocharged V6 engine and controversial pure electric steering system. It’s a handsome two-door with strong design, a well finished cabin and generous standard equipment. It will come to Australia as the more senior partner to the 2.0-litre turbocharged version.
WHY WE’RE TESTING IT To see if Infiniti has finally made a car that stands a chance of winning a fair fight against the established players in the premium segment. With 298kW the Q60 S outguns all of its obvious rivals, although performance is blunted by its near 2.0-tonne kerb weight. But with looks and generous equipment levels on its side, it could be the breakthrough Infiniti has been waiting so long for.
MAIN RIVALS BMW 440i; Mercedes-AMG C43; Lexus RC
THE WHEELS VERDICT
PLUS: Decent looks; rarity; well equipped; brilliant engine (on paper, at least) MINUS: Artificial steering; dull gearbox; suspension weighted towards cruising
THE WHEELS REVIEW IF THERE’S one thing in the automotive world worse than being talked about, it’s probably being Infiniti. It’s more than 25 years since Nissan launched its premium sub-brand, but it remains the most minor of minority tastes across most of the world, and especially in Australia. That’s where the new Q60 S could help, as a halo performance model.
The new V6, a heavily developed version of Nissan’s long-serving VQ motor, is an absolute stormer. We’ve already driven it in the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport and most of the same comments apply – some low-down lag turns into serious mid-range punch and keeps pulling to the limiter, which doesn’t call time until 6800rpm. It’s short on top-end aural appeal, and doesn’t feel quite as fast as its raw output numbers suggest it should, because of what’s happening on the other side of the power-to-weight ratio. On EU DIN figures, which include a 90 percent full fuel tank, a 68kg driver and 7kg of luggage, the Q60 S weighs 1892kg – a chunky 250kg more than the BMW 440i. The seven-speed automatic isn’t the sharpest of gearboxes either; there’s no chance of confusing its leisurely shifts for a double clutcher and its manual mode feels particularly dull-witted.
The slippery conditions didn’t stop me from struggling with the all-electric Direct Adaptive Steering. Software modifications have earned this a ‘2.0’ suffix over the underwhelming system fitted to the original Q50, and although it’s definitely better it’s still not very good, especially when compared with the best conventional EPS systems on rival cars. The Infiniti’s shtick is that there’s no direct connection between steering wheel and front axle except in an emergency (when a clutch closes to create a mechanical link); all instructions (and feedback) are done by flowing electrons that allow reactions to sharpen up in Sport or Sport Plus modes. The weighting is more consistent than the early Q50 and doesn’t change mid-corner, but it still feels artificial, and with feedback akin to being delivered by a video game rig.
SPECS Model: Infiniti Q60 S Engine: 2997cc V6, dohc, 24v, twin-turbocharged Max power: 298kW @ 6400rpm Max torque: 475Nm @ 1600rpm – 5200rpm Transmission: Nine-speed auto, all-wheel drive Weight: 1892kg (EU) 0-100km/h: 5.0 sec (claimed) Economy: 9.1 lit/100km (est) Price: $88,900 On sale: Q1 2017
