The Infiniti Q50 sports sedan for the 2016 season comes with two new turbo-petrol engines that are supported by a range of new chassis technologies.
The 3.7-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine has been replaced by a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that’s offered in two stages of tune. In the Q50 3.0tt Sport Premium it delivers 224 kW at 6400 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 1600 and 5200 revs. In the range-topping Infiniti Q50 3.0tt Red Sport it produces 298 kW at 6400 rpm. Torque is rated at 475 Nm from 1600 to 5200 rpm.
The engines feature a new turbine speed sensor that permits up to 220,000 rpm, increasing for brief periods to 240,000 rpm. The 298 kW version has maximum boost pressure of 14.7 psi. The 224 kW version doesn’t have the turbine speed sensor and maxes out at 9.5 psi boost.
Australia is one of very few countries that use kilowatts as a measure of power, hence the somewhat odd figures of 298 kW and 224 kW. In high-performance terms this translates into 400 and 300 horsepower. There’s certainly no doubt that these two new Infiniti engines are high-performance units.
Sophisticated water-cooled intercooler systems improve performance and efficiency, again the 400 hp unit having a more complex arrangement than the 300 hp.
The new VR30 twin-turbo V6 engines join the current Q50 engine range. This comprises a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol delivering 155 kW and 350 Nm.
There’s also a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine; interestingly it’s a product of the collaboration between Infiniti, Nissan and Daimler AG (more usually known as Mercedes-Benz).
Again, the Q50 range offers a V6 petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. With net power of 268 kW and torque of 546 Nm, it provides virtually instant acceleration due to the big torque electric motor.
All Infiniti Q50s are mated to a seven-speed electronically controlled automatic, which has manual shift mode. A Sport Mode allows the driver to select a more aggressive shift pattern with automatic up-and-down shifting at higher rpm.
The Infiniti Q50 powertrain is backed up by a second generation Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) that offers drivers the choice of personalising the steering system’s levels of response and feel. There are six options: Personal, Standard, Snow, Eco, Sport, and – new for 2016 – Sport+.
Infiniti Q50 also features new Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS). Standard on the hot models – the Q50 3.0tt Sport Premium and 3.0tt Red Sport – it provides a good blend of ride comfort and agility.
The Q50 Sport Premium and Red Sport model grades come with 19-inch alloy wheels that sit inside run flat tyres.
The concentration on the MY2016 range is on mechanical improvements, the body style remains basically the same. However, Q50 3.0tt Sport and Red Sport 400 models have a more aggressive design of their grilles, with a waved mesh pattern surface and chromed surrounds. The Q50 Red Sport 400 includes red “S” badging.
Also on the Red Sport are sporty looking exhaust tips and a black spoiler.
Inside, there are some changes. The Q50’s instrument panel continues with the double wave” design, but there are changes to what Infiniti designers describe as the ‘asymmetrical flow from the top of the centre cluster to the wide centre console’.
The Infiniti InTouch navigation, information and communication system is fitted as standard equipment to all V6-powered variants in the 2016 Q50 range. It has a dual screen layout, with an 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower colour displays.
The Infiniti Q50 has been awarded a five-star safety rating by ANCAP.
Q50s powered by a V6 engine, and four-cylinder Q50s in the Sport Premium model grade, have a premium 14-speaker Bose audio system. This sound system has Bose’s Centrepoint simulated surround technology, AudioPilot noise compensation and Advanced Staging technology.
The Infiniti Assure program is available at all authorised Infiniti workshops and includes a scheduled servicing program. For the new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6-powered models the intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
The complete Infiniti Q50 range is:
Q50 2.0t GT: $53,900
Q50 2.0t Sport Premium: $61,900
Q50 2.2d GT: $54,900
Q50 2.2d Sport Premium: $62,900
Q50 3.5h Sport Premium (RWD): $72,900
Q50 3.5h Sport Premium (AWD, order only): $74,900
Q50 3.0tt Sport Premium (224kW): $69,900
Q50 3.0tt Red Sport (298kW): $79,900
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Infiniti dealer for drive-away prices.
