Infiniti is back with another high-end luxury sedan. Renamed the Q50, the luxury arm of Nissan is hell-bent on securing a slice of the action. What’s more Lexus, Mercedes, Audi and BMW should take note. Because although inaccessible for many, due to a tiny dealer network, there’s no doubt Infiniti has produced a very competitive contender. This week EFTM has the Infiniti Q50 2.2 S Premium in our garage.
Make: Infiniti
Model: Q50
Variant: 2.2d S Premium
Engine / Transmission: 2.2-litre 4-Cylinder Direct-injection turbo-diesel 16-valve engine / 7-Speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control
Vital Stats: Power 125 kW @ 3,200rpm-4200rpm / Torque: 400Nm @ 5,150rpm
Infiniti Claimed Fuel Economy: 5.2l/ 100km
EFTM Claimed Fuel Economy: 6.9l / 100KM
MRRP Price: From $61,900 (plus on-roads)
Wow Factor: Loaded with a futuristic array of onboard tech. The Q50 has a mostly upmarket premium feel with eye-catching exterior design, particularly from front on. Does it give the Germans’ a run for their money? Yes, certainly pricewise.
Most Impressive: Again it has to be price, the new generation Q50 while still not cheap is far more aggressively priced than before. A Bose® 14-speaker Premium Audio System makes the Q50 a nightclub on wheels. Even heavy base settings won’t vibrate parts of the cabin senseless, always a good indication of fit and finish quality. The 2.2-litre diesel is made by Mercedes so is therefore good, strong torque figures produce brisk acceleration.
Not So Impressive: This is the most automated car we’ve driven. Some will be put off by the Direct Adaptive ‘fly-by-wire’ steering (Trevor was!). With all the driver aids turned on you sometimes feel like a spectator rather than participant. It constantly intervenes ever so slightly, tugging the wheel in the direction its computer brain wants to go. Off putting at first but in this case familiarity breeds respect. All cars will drive like this one day.
Chris was EFTM’s Motoring Editor for many years, driving everything from your entry level hatch to the latest Luxury cars through to the Rolls Royce.
He has been in the media for 20 years, produced three Olympic games broadcasts, attending Beijing 2008 & London 2012.
Strangely he owns a Toyota Camry Hybrid, he defiantly rejects the knockers.
Chris is married to Gillian and resides in Sydney’s North West. They have Sam the English Springer Spaniel and Felix the Burmese cat to keep them company, and recently welcomed baby Henry to the family.
He has now left EFTM, and writes freelance and runs his own Facebook Page “Bowen’s Garage”
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