Concept becomes reality with Infiniti’s stunning 2017 Q60 coupe
As new-car season ramps up, Infiniti’s curvaceous, faceted 2017 Infiniti’s Q60 coupe looks like a shoo-in for the bling-for-the-buck award.
This new generation of Infiniti’s G/Q rear-wheel-drive performance coupe has managed to reach showrooms remarkably faithful, in most respects, to the stunning Q60 concept unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.
Its sizzling runway guise is half of a one-two punch: the 2017 Q60 coupe starts at $38,950. While that’s by no means chump change, the sculpted sheet metal is gorgeous and evokes European style. Photos just don’t do this near-fastback justice.
That sub-$40,000 MSRP reflects other big news in the coupe’s lineup. There are now three new engines that wind up in three distinct main versions of the Q60. All-wheel-drive is available across the lineup, with key differences in each version’s content and technology. The 10 Q60 permutations are a win for shoppers who now have more choices to match tastes, requirements and budget.
The value proposition is the “base” Q60 2.0t. That designation comes from its turbocharged, two-liter inline four that’s good for 208 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque — just 12 lb-ft. less than the 2015 Q60’s 3.7-liter V6. (There was no 2016 Q60.)
The Q60’s four-banger is, by most counts, the same as used in the Mercedes-Benz’s C-class, thanks to a partnership between Nissan-Renault and Daimler. The engines are built by Nissan in Decherd, Tennessee In line with the 21st century trend, a manual gearbox is not offered; all Q60s have a 7-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0t is rated at 22 mpg in the city and 30 highway. The all-wheel-drive version’s EPA estimated fuel economy ratings came in at 21/28 mpg.
Standard gear includes most of the usual suspects in this class: dual-zone auto climate control, LED headlights, fog lights and taillights, power seats, doors and locks, keyless entry, remote power-opening windows via smart key (the glass is also one-touch auto up/down), eight-way power driver and passenger seats and leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel.
The Q60 2.0t is also equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels and all-season run-flat tires, Bluetooth streaming audio, voice-recognition audio controls, rear view monitor and electroluminescent gauges.
But don’t look for cowhide. The 2.0t’s seats are skinned in a smooth leatherette that looks and feels good. A power tilt-and-slide moonroof ($1,000) is the only major option available.
Which brings us to the Q60 2.0t Premium, which carries a $41,300 starting sticker. In addition to throwing in the moonroof, the Premium adds 13-speaker Bose surround sound that enables music or video via USB flash drive, universal garage door opener and auto-dimming inside mirror.
The Premium is also the entry point to be able to order the $3,000 “premium plus” package, which on the 2.0t includes heated front seats and steering wheel, power tilt/telescoping steering column, memory for driver’s seat, auto dimming and tilt-down outside mirrors and navigation. The other major packages are leather seating ($1,350) and driver assistance/ safety bundle ($2,250). The latter includes blindspot and parking warning, forward and backup collision sensors, around-view monitor, and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
Infiniti doesn’t allow you to get leather or the driver tech package without the other, so buyers are looking at an MSRP of $48,805, including $905 destination. So if you want leather, you’ll have to go all the way. That leatherette starting to look more attractive?
The other Q60 variants deserve mention. The 3.0t has a new twin-turbo, intercooled directinjection V6 that puts out 300 horses and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. Lead-footers will go straight for the 400-horsepower Red Sport 400 ($51,300) that uses the same VR30 DDTT engine, but tuned to deliver 350 lb.-ft. The rear-wheeldrive Red Sport has staggered summer tires: 245/40RF19s in front and 265/35s in the back.
Keep in mind that the V6powered Q60s are flagships for Infiniti’s latest digital technology — either standard or available — including steer-by-wire, variable ratio steering and suspension.
We think most people will be tickled to “settle” for the basicbut-sexy Q60 2.0t and its traditional rack-and-pinion steering. There’s just a whiff of turbo lag but overall, acceleration is more than adequate for day-to-day operation driving — particularly if the revs are kept in the sweet spot.
The rear seats — and even cup holders —for two are there but let’s just say it: style rules over function. The 2017 Q60 is a bit longer and lower than the 2015 model it succeeds, but there’s just 12 cu. ft. of trunk space. The coupe’s flip-down back seat will come in handy.
But why kid ourselves? Folks who consider the Infiniti Q60 aren’t too concerned with storage or practicality; they want a zippy car that looks even faster. On that score, Infiniti’s jaw-dropping redo of its rear-wheel-drive coupe hits all the hot buttons.