High-tech innovation and high-rev thrills

Innovatively high-tech yet viscerally connected, the Infiniti Q50 first appeared as 2014 model year sports saloon successor to the acclaimed G Sedan. Introducing the world’s first steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering system, the Q50’s abilities however go beyond it’s headline technology. Instead it offers an enviably well-grounded chassis that well-combines sporty handling and comfortably supple ride attributes.

Raising the bar for new entrants to the compact executive saloon segment, the Infiniti Q50 is driven by a silky-smooth and zingy high-revving 3.7-litre V6 and is offered in two trim packages, including a Sport version with bigger wheels, aggressive body and firmer suspension, and the more comfort-oriented Premium version tested. 

Also available are a well-integrated range-topping 3.5-litre V6 hybrid and 2-litre turbocharged entry-level version with traditional steering.

Predatory posture

Classy and complex yet visceral and athletic, the Q50’s combination of tight lines, sharp creases, bulging bodywork and defined ridges are fluently incorporated to create a road-hugging and seemingly pouncing road stance. Overtly assertive and brimming with dynamic tension, the Q50’s design seems unexpectedly influential, with elements of is posture, lines and eagerly ready-to-leap look filtering their way through to some competitors’ more recent designs.

Flowing and muscular, the Q50 strikes a moodily assertive and predatory pose, with slim browed wraparound lights tightening on the inside, sharp air-splitter like spoiler lip, deep air intakes and a wide wire-mesh grille pinched in the centre. Long and heavily scalloped, the Q50’s bonnet emphasises its ideally balanced front engine, rear drive layout and sporty characteristics, while a flowing roofline descends to curt high-set boot. 

Anatomically athletic with a cabin-back design in profile, the Q50’s relatively long wheelbase and big footprint lend themselves to sure-footed stability through corners and at speed. Meanwhile a level waistline allows for an airy cabin and good visibility, while a distinctive rear door kink creates a sense of motion. Deeply ridges side character line surfacing and subtly muscular rear haunches underline the Q50’s wide track and athletic intent.

High-rev thrills

Powered by a smooth and eager high-revving 3.7-litre V6 engine developing 328BHP at 6400rpm and 266lb/ft at 5200rpm, the Q50 swiftly sprints through the 0-100km/h acceleration benchmark in 5.5 seconds. Mated to a responsive, quick and smooth shifting 7-speed automatic gearbox driving the rear wheels, the Q50 can rev all the way to a haughty 7500rpm, and returns 10.2/100km combined cycle fuel economy when driven conservatively. 

Refined and linear the Q50’s eager V6 engine pulls responsively meaningfully from tick-over. Accumulating power in a seamlessly smooth and progressive arc, the Q50 enjoys a healthily flexible mid-range and on-the-move reflexes. Zipping through its rev range at brisk pace, the Q50’s buildup becomes more urgent as it nears its high torque peak and continues through to its 7000rpm power peak and onto its high rev limit.

Urgent and linear, the Q50’s high revving naturally aspirated engine provides predictable progression and high rev thrills. Swift but gradual in unleashing its abilities, one can confidently come back on throttle early through corners without overpowering the rear tyres’ grip. The tall rev limit allows one to sweep through corners in a single gear without interruption, and with exact throttle response, one can finesse the Q50 through winding roads.

Steer-by-wire

The Q50’s first-ever steer-by-wire system bypasses a mechanical link between steering wheel and front wheels. Instead, sensors transmit steering input to two motors turning the wheels, while another motor transmits filtered feedback to the driver in “sports” setting.

With potential for improved efficiency, safety and packaging, Infiniti also claim that by eliminating negative feedback, vibrations, inertia, friction and torsion, steer-by-wire is more connected, purer and sportier.

With extensive scope for fine-tuning, Infiniti’s steer-by-wire uses a combination of pre-set three speed responsiveness and assistance levels. In softer slower modes, the Q50’s steer-by-wire is relaxed. But in its quicker and meatier sports settings, it is direct, smooth, precise and refined, allowing one to intuitively flick the wheel into a corner with instant response and a “clean” feel that is more connected and direct than many traditional systems.

Athletic and agile, the Q50 fluently darts through winding roads, tucking tidily into a corner, faithfully holding a cornering line and pouncing out onto a straight as one squeezes the throttle and unleashes its linear power accumulation. Intuitive to drive and with instinctively sporty dynamics, the Q50 is balanced and manoeuvrable, and with accurate and nuanced feels for road and position seemingly shrinks around the driver.

Composed and comfortable

With more forgiving suspension tuning and 225/55R17 tyres rather than the Sport version’s firmer 225/40R19 footwear, the Q50 premium is smooth and supple over lumps, bumps and even cobblestone roads. Composed and comfortable, it leans slightly more than the Sport, but body control is nonetheless tidy and poised. And with a balanced chassis, it feels intuitive and progressive when one edges the rear tyres out. 

Stable and refined at speed, the Q50 premium boasts slippery CD0.26 aerodynamics and excellent cabin isolation of noise vibration and harshness. Along with well-adjustable steering, intuitive user-friendly controls and instrumentation, the Q50 offers decent visibility and driving position. Sporty yet classy inside, the Q50 features a driver-oriented twin-pod style cabin, and better rear space, luggage capacity and fuel tank volume than many competitors.

Finished with high quality leather and choice of Maple wood or aluminium trim panels, the Q50 is also extensively well equipped. Included standard are six airbags, dual touchscreens, dual zone climate control and Active Trace Control torque vectoring, which selectively brakes the inside wheel for improved cornering agility. 

A suite of semi-autonomous driver assistance systems include blindspot, lane and reverse collision prevention systems, forward collision warning and intelligent cruise control.