Car review: Infiniti Q50

Infiniti brings unbridled turbo strength and new steering gimmickry to its mid-size Q50 range

Infiniti, the Japanese luxury car maker, has come a long way since the days of rebadged Nissans in 1989 and the years after. Today, it is a full-grown brand with a singular identity that has a created a niche for itself in the local and global market, thanks to cars like the G35/37 sedan, now known as the Q50 - which is our car in focus today. The brand has introduced two new models to the line-up - Red Sport 300 and Red Sport 400. We take a closer look!

DESIGN & AESTHETICS
Forget the badge for a moment: how is the car that wears the badge? Size-wise, nothing's changed. This is your typical mid-size sedan. It's 4,800mm long, 1,820mm wide at the hips and stands 1,445mm tall. But it is capable of drawing attention like few others in its class, thanks to fluid styling and intriguing crescent-like lighting fixtures.
Up front, it's all about the signature Infiniti "double arch" generously splashed in chrome, wearing the Infiniti emblem like an ornament in the centre. From there seems to originate a lot of visual energy that creates bulges and creases everywhere. The pulled-back headlamp clusters are adorned with a variety of light sources that are particularly voguish, thanks to the moon's crescent-inspired luminaries.
Keeping the car on the road is a set of staggered-width 19-inch alloys, in a gun metal finish that don't look too different from a race car's.  A neat set of rims! The rising beltline conveys that sports coupe form and the red tail lamps have well-defined LED strips, mimicking the moon again. The 80's-inspired cluster itself seems out of place though.
Aesthetically, the Q50 has few equals on the road today. Some may argue that the car it replaced - the G35/37 - was better-looking; I may be one of them. Although nobody utilises all 400 horsepower or drives at 200 mph at any given time, a little more exclusivity in aesthetics wouldn't hurt. A deeper front lip and a larger rear spoiler, and maybe the number 400 inscribed somewhere? There isn't any badging either, except for the red S badge - and that's as inconspicuous as anything!
Get within proximity, and the door handles light up; as you get closer, the interior lights come on and the ignition button pulsates like a Jaguar's. It's like the car knows your movements. The intelligent key has an enhanced memory function that extends beyond seat settings. The luxurious, well-appointed cabin appears to be an iteration of the G37's. There are plenty of soft, tough plastics all around to go with Samurai-armaments-inspired "Kacchu" aluminium on the dash. But there's room for improvement, when compared to its German rivals.
Spatially, it's pretty good; six-plus footers can get cosy both in the front and back without having to contort. Unlike the Lexus IS 350, this one's back seat can accommodate three in decent comfort. As for architecture, there are plenty of swoopy cues and stitched lines that break the monotony of the interior. The 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel has multi-function buttons and steer-by-wire - where the steering wheel and wheels are connected by... radio waves. As a failsafe, there is a real mechanical linkage that engages - if the electronic one falters.
Infiniti was the first to introduce two-touch multimedia screens in a production car. In the Q50, the InTouch system combines an 8-inch LCD and a smaller 7-inch unit right below it. This isn't my favourite UX interface. And to add to the confusion, there is an iDrive-like rotary knob as well to manage menus. Every button or knob is of a different finish, shape or size; there is no cohesion in design.

POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
For 2017, the Q50 offers  a trio of turbo-charged engines: the 208 bhp motor; a 3.0t that makes 300 bhp; and the Red Sport 400 with an uprated 3.0t, making 400 PS and 475 Nm of torque. Suddenly, this car is in M3 territory!
Floor the pedal, and the car generates so much torque so quickly that you are pinned back to your seat as scenic landscapes outside turn into a blur. From a standstill, it will hit 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. And even under non-ideal conditions, it can easily post sub-6 second time with ease.
As mentioned, this car has the 2nd-gen Direct Adaptive Steering - no connection between steering wheel and front wheel. In the city, it is light and easy; once you get going, you'd think the car would reciprocate with equivalent feel and feedback. but nothing happens. It feels numb and wooden. So, this isn't your M3 rival in that aspect. On the other hand, it eliminates vibration, which, in turn, reduces driver fatigue. The chassis is very capable. The double wishbone suspension up front and the multi-link setup at the rear work well to keep the car high on traction and low on body roll.
Exhausts are muted for the most part and only awaken when the throttle is opened up completely. You can always fiddle with the drive mode selector, which goes both ways. Go up to Sport and Sport + and the steering becomes tighter, but the feel is never revived and the suspension does become marginally harsher. Avoid the ECO mode - it dampens the throttle response and your spirits!

FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
Infiniti does audio systems well. The G35/37 had a great reputation and this one is on par, with its 14 speakers sourced from Bose.
The goose neck hinges in the 500L boot space are covered, protecting items well. These days, dual zone adaptive climate control is a staple in anything 'luxury'; this car has it too and it works well like any vehicle with a Nissan/Infiniti badge on it. It also comes with an auto-recirculation feature to maintain CO2 levels.
The IIHS has given the Q50 a "Top Safety Pick+", which makes it amongst the safest vehicles on the road today. It is capable of sensing two cars ahead of you and predicting their movements. You also have every conceivable safety feature, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind sport warning, predictive forward collision distance control, active trace control, tyre pressure monitoring, six airbags, brake assist, a rear camera and a four-camera bird's-eye view. Your babies are safe too, with ISOFIX seat mounting points for child seats.
The InTouch system isn't our favourite user interface, but it allows you to touch, tap and swipe like your regular smartphone, allowing you to navigate email, stream music and catch up on social media.

VERDICT
The 2017 Infiniti Q50 is a competent mid-size sporty sedan - a style baron to take on road escapades, that none can mistake for another car. The interior is distinctive and comfortable but plastics aren't 'German' yet. It moves like a supercar, but with the silent sound of a magnetic train. The chassis is capable of negotiating the toughest of corners, but the steering is numb. This works as a superfast saloon, but if you think it's a full-fledged sports sedan, you're wrong. Give it your heart and it will give you the cold shoulder, so it's best to treat it like a device and everything will work out fine. Honestly, the Q50 hybrid is just as quick, more fuel efficient and a lot cheaper.

SPECIFICATIONS  
Body type: 5-seater; 4-door mid-size sedan
Engine: Front-engine; turbocharged 3.0-litre V6; rear-wheel drive
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Peak output: 395 bhp @ 6,400 rpm; 475 Nm @ 1,600 - 5,200 rpm
0 to 100km/h: 4.6 seconds (claimed)
Top speed: 250 km/h (electronically limited; claimed)
Price: Starting at Dh265,000

Pros: Bodacious styling; a glimpse into supercar performance; overall value
Cons: The Japanese just got pricey; one too many infotainment interfaces; vague steering feel, even in sport mode
Author's rating: 7/10 stars

FUN FACT
The Q-plus-suffix naming system is as quirky as anything. It wasn't created yesterday, but does not stick in one's mind. Perhaps Infiniti should consider a naming overhaul all over?


Car Qs
Q: I've just enrolled at university and am looking for a fun, but affordable car? Do you have any suggestions?
- Jason
A: If you're looking for something quick on its wheels, that's also reasonably affordable, consider the Volkswagen Golf GTI or the Ford Focus ST. Alternatively, if you can get over the 'stigma' associated with hatchbacks, there's always the Toyota 86 coupe. All three are fuel-efficient too!

Q: I own a 2013 Ford Explorer. It's my second car and I love it. But it's now in its fourth year and I need to purchase a motor insurance policy. Do you suggest I get a 3rd party insurance policy or a comprehensive one, like I used to have?
- Hitesh
A: As safe a driver as one may be, the risk of having an accident is ever present. If the unfortunate happens, the costs involved can be overwhelming. I recommend that you take up a comprehensive insurance policy and retain your peace of mind. Drive safe!
wknd@khaleejtimes.com

• On The Road