Sporty, supple and swooping executive alternative

By Ghaith Madadha - Sep 14,2015 - Last updated at Sep 14,2015

Photo courtesy of Infiniti

Revised and rebadged in line with Infiniti’s evolving brand design, identity and “Q” prefix alpha-numeric nomenclature, the Q70 seamlessly replaces the M saloon line. Retaining its drive-train options, the Q70’s sharpened up face-lifted lends it a more assertive presence and tweaks its resemblance to the Infiniti Q50 compact executive saloon.

Smooth, stylishly, spaciously, supple and sporty, the Q70 plays a deft hand in reconciling agile and eager handling with supple and refined comfort. A thoroughly convincing alternative to more obvious executive saloon options, the Infiniti Q70 certainly deserves more recognition and consideration, but part of is that it isn’t an obvious choice.

Swooping style

Seductively swooping, with fluidly wavy lines, eager demeanour and Coke-bottle hips, the Q70’s cabin-back design emphasises its front-engine and rear-drive layout. With long bonnet and short front overhang complemented by short rear deck and longer rear overhang, proportions are luxurious, while its shape and subtle aerodynamics achieve 0.27 drag co-efficiency and zero lift.

Visceral, emotive and seemingly ready to pounce, the Q70’s pinched-in mesh grille and slim moody and rising headlights are complemented by heavily scalloped wings. Rising and from the upper grille tips, the Q70’s sharp bonnet ridges lead towards its rakish A-pillars and trail off to long arcing roofline profile.

Face-lifted and sportier, the Q70 receives Infiniti’s new double arch grille corporate face with chrome surround and wavy mesh and new front and rear LED lights. A more sculpted bumper treatment features flared and angled lower intake and bigger slatted foglight housings, and rearwards is more aesthetically dynamic with flatter and sharper boot-lid and blacked-out lower section.

Smooth revving

Silky smooth, eager and searingly high-revving in an executive saloon segment ever-more dominated by muscular mid-range oriented turbocharged engines, the Q70’s naturally aspirated VQ-series 3.7-litre V6 engine delivers clarity, responsiveness and progressiveness. Developing 329BHP at a haughty 7000rpm and 267lb/ft torque by 5200rpm, the 1764kg Q70 completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.2 seconds and tops out at 250km/h

Pulling hard from low-end and building up torque and power progressively through its rev-range, the Q70’s mid-range is flexibly muscular but linear. However, the Q70 is at its best and most satisfyingly and rewardingly eager, crisp and intense as it reaches towards its high 7500rpm rev limit, before a quick and concise gear shift.

The Q70’s 7-speed automatic gearbox features a more responsive “sport” mode and gear lever-actuated manual mode. Well-suited to its high-revving engine, the Q70 can stretch its long-legs and accelerate hard out of long fast sweeping corners in a single chosen gear in manual mode. Returning 10.2l/100km combined fuel efficiency, the Q70’s 80-litre fuel tank provides a long range.

Balanced handling

Sporty yet smooth, the Q70 is an intuitive and relaxed yet sharp drive, with balanced weight distribution and front double wishbone e and rear multi-link suspension. Eager and agile, the Q70 turns in tidily and provides good body control through corners, while hydraulic-assisted steering is light, precise, refined and delivers decent feel.

Balanced and tidy, the Q70 feels like a smaller car through switchbacks yet delivers high grip levels. Well-tuned for ride and handling abilities, the Q70’s handling is predictable, progressive and exploitable at its rear grip limit. Tuned for a crisp turn-in, the Q70 under-steers slightly if pushed too aggressively, and is an easily correctible sign to ease back.

Allowing one to best exploit its superb chassis balance, the Q70’s linear delivery, responsiveness and high rev-limit allow one to feed in precise power increments without unintentionally breaking rear traction and grip. Smoothly feeding the throttle by a corner’s apex, the Q70 digs in and smoothly, swiftly and seamlessly powers out without unnecessary gear change interruptions.

Refined ride

Refined and stable at speed and in town, the smooth-riding Q70 deliver good body control and is buttoned down over rebounds. However, it is also comfortable and fluid over lumps, bumps and imperfections, with 245/50R18 tyres finding a happy medium. Well-insulated from noise, vibration and harshness, the Q70 even features active noise cancellation technology.

With easy access, highly adjustable seats and steering, spacious front seats and good visibility, one can easily place and park the Q70. Elegantly finished with quality materials and soft textures, the Q70 has a classy ambiance but looks best in dark cabin tones, while rear seats offer spacious legroom and better headroom than most competitors.

Well-equipped, the Q70 features an intuitive and large centre console and infotainment system, and includes USB and Bluetooth connectivity, rear view monitor and Intelligent Key function which memorises climate, audio and satnav settings. Advanced driver assistance and safety systems include numerous airbags, child seat latches, lane departure and brake assists, blindspot and predictive forward collision warning and around view monitor.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 3.7-litre, in-line, V6 cylinders

Bore x stroke: 95.5 x 86mm

Valve-train: 24-valve, DOHC, variable timing and lift

Gearbox: 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 329 (333) 245 @7000rpm

Specific power: 89BHP/litre

Power-to-weight : 186.5BHP/tonne

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 267 (363) @5200rpm

Specific torque: 98.2Nm/litre

Torque-to-weight: 205.7Nm/tonne

Maximum engine speed: 7500rpm