Back in 2002, Inifiniti, Nissan’s premium or luxury division, introduced their sleekly designed, award-winning G35 sport coupe with excellent handling properties. Infiniti’s second-generation front mid-ship platform, the G37, powered by a 330 horsepower 3.7-liter VQ engine, designed to contend with the likes of BMW’s sport coupes, was introduced in 2007 as a 2008 model.
The G37 Coupe and Convertible were rebadged for the 2014 and 2015 model years as the Infiniti Q60. It was the Japanese automaker’s only two-door coupe. Enter the completely redesigned 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 coupe, which is available in a variety of trims.
This latest Q60 benefits from a thorough redesign. The revision includes new mechanical features, some shared with the redesigned 2016 Infiniti Q60 sedan, such as the chassis and wheelbase. There are five trim levels of the new Q60, four of which will be available in the U.S. market. They include the Q60 base model 2.0T with a Mercedes-Benz-sourced, turbocharged inline four-cylinder rated at 208 hp and 258 lb-ft torque; the Q60 Premium available with either the 2.0T or 300 horsepower 3.0T; the Q60 Silver Sport also available with both engines; and the top of-the-line Q60 Red Sport 400 horsepower 3.0T.
All engines are mounted forward in a longitudinal orientation and transfer power to either the rear wheels (RWD) or to all four wheels (AWD) through a seven-speed automatic transmission with a Drive Mode Selector featuring three personal settings: standard; Sport and Sport + as well as an ECO and Snow setting. Sport+ also allows the driver to personalize steering settings – Dynamic and Dynamic + for a total of 7 modes.
The new design of the 2017 Infiniti Q60 drew its inspiration from the Q80 concept coupe show vehicle, delivering a powerful elegance focused performance. Significant styling elements include the bold double-arch grille, focused human eye headlight and crescent-cut C-pillar. The gracefully arced roofline that sweeps to the integrated deck spoiler lip, sculpted hood, pronounced front fender, strong hallmark bodyside character lines, front quarter reverse vent trim and large frontal air intakes all combine to contribute to the racy form of the Q60.
The cockpit is both driver-centric and passenger-minded. Controls and switchgear are optimally positioned for ease of use. The three-spoke steering wheel, driver displays and supportive seating give notice that the Q60 is a true sports car, with the added finesse of flowing forms and detailed double stitching.
Technological highlights of the Infiniti Q60 include the advanced, lightweight twin turbo engines; Direct Adaptive Steering (the world’s first “steer-by-wire” system), optional Dynamic Digital Suspension that monitors body roll, pitch and bounce rate; Active Lane Control with two settings; and Active Trace Control.
Other innovative enhancements include improved wheel stiffness and internal tire insulation; redesigned and isolated rear suspension subassembly; increased stiffness for the front side member and dashboard lower crossmember; and front windscreen with isolation glass as well as a thicker rear window, all resulting in significant NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) reduction.
Driver assistance features that aid in awareness and vehicle control include Around View Monitor, Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Cruise Control, Forward Emergency Braking, Predictive Forward Collision, Adaptive Front Lighting System, Lane Departure Prevention, Blind-Spot Intervention, Active Lane Control and Back-up Collision Intervention.
My 2017 Infiniti Q60 was a Red Sport model with the tubocharged 400 horsepower 3.0-liter V6. It was base priced at $53,300 and wore a brilliant Dynamic Sunstone Red exterior and sported a Gallery White interior with carbon fiber trim accents. Extras included the Technology Package, Direct Adaptive Steering, Dynamic Digital Suspension, Driver Assistance Package, the Premium Plus Package, Exclusive paint finish and Destination Charges, which elevated the final sticker to $62,355.
The 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD is a polished gem in both its positive visual appeal and performance experience. Acceleration demands were met instantly with no turbo lag. Steering feedback was spot on with a natural feeling, and the electronic responses are much quicker than those delivered by a conventional mechanical system.
Ride quality is infinitely adjustable and customizable with the combination of four drivetrain modes, seven Direct Adaptive Steering settings, two EPS settings, two DDS settings, three Active Lane Control settings and two Active Trace Control settings. Infiniti claims a total of 336 possible combinations. The AWD model rolls on Bridgestone Potenza RE050 all-season run-flats mounted on unique staggered 5 W-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.
Dialing in Sport + in the Drive Mode Selector, the drivetrain in Sport, Steering in Sport +, Dynamic +, EPS in Sport, suspension in Sport and turning on the Active Lane Control and Active Trace Control systems delivered the most exhilarating driving scenario.
Audio is provided by Bose Performance Series with 13 high-performance speakers. Other infotainment features and connectivity abound through Infiniti InTouch with Navigation and voice recognition and Navi Sync Adaptive shift Control.
Despite the fact that coupes comprise only 5 percent of the D-segment market share, there seems to be a need and appreciation for the continuance of the iconic Infiniti coupe in the Q60. It fills the bill on all fronts in a most positive manner. As an afterthought, while convertibles make up an even lesser portion of the D-segment at a mere 3 percent, the Q60 styling would lend itself beautifully to a convertible model, which would be my ultimate choice. In the meantime, the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD delivers plenty of sporty attributes, while adding a healthy dose of luxurious appointments.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 Coupe AWD
Base Price: $53,300.
Price as Tested: $62,355.
Engine Type and Size: 3.0-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, Twin-turbo V6 with Direct Fuel Injection.
Horsepower (bhp): 400 @ 6,400 rpm
Torque (ft./ lbs.): 350 @ 1,650-5,200 rpm
Transmission: Electronically-controlled Seven-speed automatic with adaptive shift control, manual shift mode, paddle shifters, downshift rev-matching and Drive Mode Selector.
Drive Train: Longitudinally-mounted front engine / Intelligent AWD
Suspension: Front – Independent, double-wishbone with coil springs over Dual Flow Path shock absorbers, stabilizer bar.
Rear – Independent, multi-link with coil springs over Dual Flow Path shock absorbers, stabilizer bar.
Brakes: Power-assisted four wheel vented discs with ABS, EBD, Advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System and TPMS.
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE050 all-season run-flats mounted on unique 5 W-spoke alloy wheels.
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length Overall: 184.4 inches
Width: 72.8 inches
Height: 54.9 inches
Curb Weight: 4,024 lbs.
Turning Circle: 38.1 ft. – AWD / 36.7 RWD
Fuel Capacity: 20.0 gallons
EPA Mileage Estimates: 19 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
Drag Coefficient: 0.29
