 2014 Infiniti Q50. Click image to enlarge |
First was the lineup flagship Q50S Hybrid AWD (S in blue to denote a hybrid versus S in red for non-hybrids – there’s your trivia for the day). Interestingly, the Hybrid is the performance leader in the Q50 stable pumping out a combined 360 hp and an abundance of torque from zero rpm thanks to the electric motors. The Hybrid is also rated at 5.6 L/100 km highway and 7.0 city – very impressive for such a roomy and heavy car. Curiously, Infiniti has fitted their dual-clutch transmission to the Hybrid – a system normally reserved for sportier applications, while non-hybrids make do with a torque-converter seven-speed automatic.
Under heavy acceleration, the Hybrid behaves very much like a car with a large turbo. There is modest thrust at first, followed by a fierce wave of power as the Hybrid’s battery juice is called upon and delivered in an electric rush. It was not difficult to squawk the 19-inch tires even in the AWD car when pulling away from a stop.
 2014 Infiniti Q50. Click image to enlarge |
Although more than 30 horsepower shy of its augmented stablemate, the non-hybrid engine (at 328 hp) winds out nicely, and with new intake and exhaust tuning and what must be improved sound deadening, the 3.7L V6 feels and sounds more refined than it did in its G37 application. The non-hybrid car I drove was a rear-wheel-drive layout with S package – essentially the purist’s choice. I would happily give up the extra thrust of the hybrid to have this lighter, more playful Q50. That said, the Infiniti still feels larger and softer than many of its closest rivals, highlighting a new focus on luxury over sport.
The brakes of the non-hybrid car are less grabby than the Q50S Hybrid’s regenerative energy binders, and are easy to modulate.
Next to technology, the styling of the Q50 is possibly its strongest suit when measured against its competitors. Without going over the top in trendy creases and aggressive fascia (as Lexus has done with its cartoonish new IS series), the Q50 inherits the familial traits (C-pillar window kink, squeezed rectangular grill) in a very successful application. The rear of the car is really the only bland angle.
Inside, too, the Infiniti comes smartly dressed. The seats are supportive and comfortable, trimmed in a nice grade of leather and the rest of the interior materials are well assembled and of very decent quality. Twin touchscreens dominate the centre console and dash. The upper, eight-inch screen is designed to provide driver information (such as the navigation screen), while the lower seven-inch screen operates the car’s many systems (from climate and audio, to the fine tuning of all the driver preference settings for adaptive steering and other driver assists).
 2014 Infiniti Q50. Click image to enlarge |
With such complexity and so many elements to fine tune (from seat and mirror positions, to preferred radio stations, to steering feel set up and transmission shift speeds), it’s nice to invest the time and not have to fiddle with it all every time someone else has driven the car. Infiniti has thought of that too with their Intelligent Key system that stores all of this information and more for each personalized driver set up programmed into the car.
This autumn, Infiniti will release a series of Apps for the Q50 enabling Facebook and Twitter updates to be read to you as you drive. Good thing the Active Lane Control and distance monitoring cruise control can help fill in for those inattentive drivers.
