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Infiniti may have quietly laid its four-door GT-R concept to rest, but a desire to take on Europe’s best remains alive and kicking.
That’s why the Hong Kong-based company, which acts as Nissan’s luxury arm, has launched its latest Infiniti Q60 with a seductive new exterior.
And followed that up with a potent new engine for the range topper, known as the Red Sport, as the model enters its third generation.
Don’t be fooled, however, by Infiniti’s haste to label this Q60 an ‘all-new’ car. Under its fresh sheet metal lurk familiar origins. Sure, it’s grown in length, width, and the tracks are marginally wider. But it’s that 2850mm-long wheelbase which hints its DNA’s getting on.
And the Q60’s no lightweight. Thanks to a steel-heavy structure and healthy standard options list the Red Sport manages a portly 1784kg kerb figure. By comparison, that’s 92kg heavier than its forebear. Or 20kg on top of a Nissan GT-R.
It’s been plugged with lightweight internals and features plasma coated bores, but the VR30 sports water-to-air intercoolers, integrated turbo manifolds, and a square 86mm bore-to-stroke ratio.
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This is fired exclusively through a seven-speed automatic transmission to an open-differential rear axle. Overseas markets have the option of all-wheel drive, but Infiniti Oz has no plans for that to come here.
Sinking full clog in the Red Sport leaves us with little reason to doubt them. Thrust builds from 3000rpm to its 7000rpm redline in a seriously rapid, but linear, manner.
Of course, new suspension bits help. The Q60 carries over a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link setup that suspend 19-inch wheels. Engineers have binned rear-steering and active suspension geometry, but have selected adaptive dampers exclusively for the Red Sport.
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Working with a balanced chassis, they help extract decent grip from the Dunlop Sportmaxx tyres. Ride-wise, the package picks up ripples and fine disturbances, however overall body control is good, even when the Q60’s ratcheted up into Sport Plus mode (another Red Sport-only treat).
Forget styling, though, when it comes to the Q60’s most polarising feature you can’t ignore its steer-by-wire technology. The system’s been upgraded to offer more feel and feedback since its introduction in the Q50 sedan, but it still feels completely digital and distant.
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It’s very accurate, and does away with kickback, but there’s no information to help you judge commitment levels.
And there’s almost nothing left on the options list. Besides paint, everything from the noise-cancelling Bose sound system to the eight-way adjustable seats are standard. It’s impressive.
Speaking of impressive, the Q60’s swooping lines look striking in Sunstone red (pictured). It suits the car’s dramatic looks, which will be a big drawcard for the brand. It’s been hard at work refining the car’s exterior and travelled lengths to perfect panel gaps and paint finish.
At $88,900 the Q60 Red Sport is priced in the middle of Lexus’s RC350 F Sport ($77,240) and BMW’s 440i ($99,900). We don’t doubt it will lure determined buyers, either, with its superior value or prodigious grunt. And while it’s not the status-quo bashing Q50 Eau Rouge we wanted, and purists will avoid its steer-by-wire system, it’s a decent consolation.
3.5 out of 5 stars Like: Stonking thrust; decent chassis; strong brakes Dislike: Steering; interior fit and finish
Infiniti Q60 Red Sport specs Engine: 2997cc V6, DOHC, 24v, twin-turbo Power: 298kW @ 6400rpm Torque: 475Nm @ 1600-5200rpm Weight: 1784kg 0-100km/h: 5.0sec (est.) Price: $88,900
