PUMPED UP POWER AND A RED PAINT JOB
Infiniti’s spiciest Q50 is a stylish winter warrior that delivers on sport label
Of late, Infiniti has been on a tear with new models surfacing seemingly with every passing auto show.
One of the more intriguing is the Q50. Not just any Q50, but the hot Red Sport 400. It takes the base sedan and imbues it with a sharper look and a serious work ethic.
Visually, the Red Sport 400 has a bolder body kit, snazzy red brake calipers, prouder exhaust tailpipes and, of course, the mandatory, go-faster rear spoiler. It is a handsome rig that has the underpinnings to back up its spicier looks.
The starting point is the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that powers the Q50 3.0T Sport. However, the wick has been turned up: the boost pressure jumps from 9.5 psi for the 300-horsepower version to a heady 14.7 psi for the Red Sport. As a result, it now kicks out 400 hp, hence the moniker.
That is power aplenty, but what sets the drive alight is the 350 pound-feet of torque available anywhere between 1,600 and 5,200 rpm. That, by any measure, is a broad torque plateau. It not only means turbo lag is next to non-existent off the line, but it also gives it a surprisingly fast mid-range and the wherewithal to respond at the top end.
The power reaches the road through a slick, seven-speed automatic transmission that learns driving style and uses the navigation system to predict the need to shift. The result is a transmission that seldom hunts for a gear and is ready to drop a cog (or two) the instant the gas is depressed. Select the manual mode, complete with wheelmounted paddle shifters, and the engine rev-matches each shift.
The only nit is whenever the shifter is moved into the manual gate the box automatically defaults to fifth gear. On the highway, the gear selection forces the engine into the upper reaches of the rev range. In traffic, it means the box has to be shifted down to catch the right gear.
Power is relayed to the road through a solid allwheel-drive system.
The so-called “intelligent” AWD powers the rear wheels, but as it monitors a number of sensors, it is always ready to send up to
50 per cent of the power forward. This setup is overlaid with brake-based torque vectoring; in practice, the system proved to be both fast and intuitive, which effectively limited unwanted wheelspin. Even on a wintry road, it hooked up seamlessly.
The Q50 Red Sport’s powertrain brings a run from rest to 100 km/h in five seconds, which is very good. The downside is the average fuel economy; at 11.1 L/100 km, it is not so good.
The dynamic side of the Red Sport 400 shows up in the steering and suspension. Direct Adaptive Steering is a steer-by-wire system that alters the steering’s weight, speed and feel. It’s a good system that offers plenty of feedback in spite of the fact there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels. If things go pear-shaped, a clutch locks to make it a fully mechanical system, so no need to fret. The system has a fast and accurate response to input, although some may find the weight a tad too heavy in Sport+ mode.
The steering is supported by Infiniti’s Dynamic Digital Suspension and its ability to adjust the damping according to the tone of the drive. It does a good job of hiding potholes in Standard mode and dialing out body roll in Sport modes. The combination put some real finesse into the way the Q50 drives; it is nimble and tight, yet supple and refined according to the drive mode selected.
On that note, there are six driving modes that change the steering feel, throttle response, shift pattern and suspension damping. Along with Snow, Econ, Standard, Sport and Sport+, a Personal mode allows the driver to tweak each facet individually. Unlike so many similar systems, there are some notable differences between the modes. Stick with Standard mode for everyday driving and Sport when hooning through a series of sweeping corners. Sport+ is best left for a track day.
Inside, the cabin is nicely attired, with luxury in every area. The Red Sport 400 features
quilted, semi-aniline leather seats with bold bolstering and attractive red stitching throughout. On an extended drive, the seats banished any sign of numbbum, leaving the riders as fresh at the end as at the outset. Throw in an ideal driving position, a soulful Bose sound system and Infiniti’s advanced twin-screen InTouch infotainment system and the final touch of a dark chrome finish on the dashboard dials, and the cabin feels posh.
Naturally, the Q50 gets all the Star Wars-inspired stuff. Once activated through a button on the wheel, the car basically drives itself, tracking the car ahead in slow traffic with unerring accuracy and right to a full stop if needed. Now, if you want the futuristic tech, it will cost you a combined $5,800 for the ProAssist and ProActive packages.
There were some minor nits to pick with the Q50 Red Sport 400, but if you want a dynamic ride with poise and polish, this car is worth testing. And, in spite of its speedy work ethic and cornercarving ability, it proved to be a veritable winter warrior, ignoring slippery roads while reacting to driver input in a confidenceinspiring manner. Overview: Dynamic all-wheel-drive luxury sports sedan
Pros: Performance, handling, interior ambience
Cons: Manual mode, rear-seat headroom, overall fuel economy Value for money: Good
What I would change: Make the manual mode just that — manual!