The days of Infiniti’s coupe basically being a 2+2 version of the Nissan Z-car are over. An all-new Infiniti coupe, now dubbed the Q60, debuted for the 2017 model year.
What’s new? Pretty much everything.
The Q60 is lower and wider than its predecessor. It still has that Infiniti face, but the sides sport the hockey stick stripes that have come back into vogue. (Check out the Kia Stinger GT or really any current BMW for more examples.)
The powerplant is also new. The standard engine is not a six-cylinder engine–for real. The model run starts with a 208-horsepower turbo four. The upmarket cars, including our Red Sport 400 model, come with a twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V6 from Nissan’s VR engine family. It can be called an evolution of the one found in the latest GT-R. In the Q60, the VR can be ordered in one of two flavors: 300 or 400 horsepower.
No matter which engine is selected, it comes backed by a seven-speed automatic transmission. All three engines come standard with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel-drive is an across-the-board option.
The other big news found under the hood: electric steering. Here’s we’ll give you the explanation right from the source:
“INFINITI's second-generation Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) offers high levels of feedback and more direct steering responses in the Q60. The 'steer-by-wire' system does away with mechanically linked parts, instead employing digital components to improve steering feel and feedback. The connection between the driver and DAS is instantaneous, thanks to the electronic connection between components.”
The Q60 largely carries over into 2018 unchanged: “For 2018, the Q60 adopts INFINITI's global model nomenclature – PURE, LUXE, SPORT and RED SPORT 400 – along with 20-inch wheels and tires for the RED SPORT 400 (previously 19-inch) and a new exterior premium metallic color, Solar Mica.”
Our test car, of course, was a rather loaded, rear-drive Q60 Red Sport 400 wearing that premium Solar Mica paint. Base price of our car was $52,000, while options bumped that figure all the way up to $63,705 after delivery. The car had the Sensory Package (heated front seats, remote engine start, etc.), Proassist Package (blind-spot warning, front and rear sonar, etc.), Proactive Package (intelligent cruise control, adaptive headlights, etc.) Silver Option Fiber Interior Trim and a Carbon Fiber Package.
