Infiniti is bringing the pretty with its Q60 Concept and it’s backing it up with twin-turbo power. Half the time Infiniti shows off wild concept cars that won’t be a tenth as dramatic when they reach production, but we’re glad to say that the Q60 Concept seems 80% of the way to the showroom. With a beautiful interior in place let’s hope Infiniti doesn’t waste any time getting this one to showrooms.
Infiniti made a smart decision in rushing out a performance-tuned version of their Q50 sedan for the upcoming auto show circuit. The Eau Rouge version shown in Detroit doesn’t come with specific powertrain info other than hints that forced induction would yield more than 500 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque should it ever reach production. Turns out that’s enough to get us excited! The Q50 has damaged Infiniti’s reputation as a builder of rewarding sport sedans (The G37 of yore) due to the emphasis on drive-by-wire steering technology and other comfort-oriented technologies that dulled the car’s responses. But a seriously tuned version under the IRL subbrand could do a lot to stir up competition in the CTS-V, M5, E63 world of hot-rod sedans. An aggressive body kit and wheel/tire package along with cross drilled brake rotors are enough to set this car apart from standard Q50s even from across the show floor. We say rearrange your priorities to put driving fun back atop the list and build this car as a mea culpa to your fan base.
Ever since its debut in 1989, Infiniti has made it a priority to offer rear wheel drive alternatives to humdrum front wheel drive luxury sedans. For 2014 Infiniti replaces its well-respected G series sedan with the Q50. The Q50 is the first vehicle to bear Infiniti’s new nomenclature, designating all cars with a Q and all SUVs and crossovers with a QX. Confusing alphanumeric nomenclature notwithstanding, the Q50 looks to be an attractive entry in the midsize luxury sport sedan class. Inside, the Q50 ditches the familiar Infiniti center stack in lieu of a more contemporarily styled dual screen interface. While the rest of the interior appears more conventional, the exterior continues with Infiniti’s theme of fluid motion complete with its new signature c-pillar sculpt. The Q50 will continue use of the 3.7-liter V6 found in the G37 sedan it replaces. Also available will be a 3.5-liter hybrid. As befitting a luxury sedan, the Q50 will offer a broad spectrum of technologies, including Intelligent Cruise Control with Full Speed Range, predictive Forward Collision Warning, Forward Emergency Braking, Distance Control Assist, Blind Spot Intervention, Backup Collision Intervention, Lane Departure Prevention, and Active Lane Control. While those technologies seem to imply Infiniti fears its drivers will be lulled to sleep we expect that the car will be engaging to drive. The Q50 will go on sale in the summer of 2013 as a 2014 model and will be available with rear or all-wheel drive. Read more…
A Hybrid After Our Own Hearts
We’ve been putting our share of hybrids to the test over the past year. We’ve sampled Toyota’s offerings in the form of the popular Prius and their luxury brand’s Lexus CT 200h. We’ve sampled the family wagon Prius v as well as Chevrolet’s extended range plug-in electric car, the Volt. While each of these vehicles delivers varying levels of reduced consumption of gasoline, not one of them truly puts the electric motor to use for the full benefit of the driving enthusiast. When hybrids first happened on the scene, the enthusiast community couldn’t help but notice that the electric motors that assist (or in the Volt’s case, exclusively provide) propulsion had mountains of instantly available torque. We enthusiasts have had to settle for varying degrees of improved fuel economy with barely any fun thrown in. Finally, an automaker has stepped up to the challenge to use hybrid technology to actually make a sport sedan more sporting. Enter the Infiniti M35h. Read more…
The Infiniti Coupe concept shown at the 2006 NAIAS appears to be a thinly disguised version of the updated G37 Coupe.
My how time flies. This year marks the 20th year that Infiniti has been peddling its premium cars in the great US of A. To celebrate they’ve introduced a Special Editon version of their popular G37 sedan, coupe and convertible. Read more…
When I first drove the Infiniti M sedan late last year, I got the brutal M45 with a big, brawny V8 under the hood.
That car was a monster. It felt almost like an American muscle car, with a heavy, deliberate driving feel and a relatively soft suspension that made it seem like you were riding on bowls of Cream of Wheat. It was a great car, but it was more of a grand tourer than a true sports sedan. Read more…
Ever since Infiniti introduced the G35 a few years ago, the luxury brand has been on the rebound.
The midsize G35 has not only been a hot seller thanks to its stellar performance and stunning body, but it also served as a statement to the world that Infiniti wasn’t willing to play backup quarterback while Lexus got the starting job. In essence, it moved Infiniti from JV to varsity. Read more…
You know you drive a big SUV when it comes standard with a rear-view camera.
Infiniti’s yacht-size luxury SUV, the QX56, comes from the factory with a fish-eye camera mounted above the license plate on the rear bumper to eliminate a big blind spot when backing up. Read more…
In a move that imitates expensive German sports sedans, Infiniti added an all-wheel drive model to its G35 lineup for 2004.
At first glance, it seems odd to add the weight of an AWD system to a performance-oriented sports sedan like the G35, but the system has a couple of major advantages. First, it helps in low-traction situations, like on icy or wet roads. Second, it offers very neutral, predictable handling in corners, something all Andretti wannabes should love.
Read more…
