Infiniti Q50

Overview

The Q50 might be the most affordable offering from Infiniti’s lineup here in Malaysia, but make no mistake, as it is a proper midsize luxury saloon from the European car maker. The Infiniti Q50 is the sole sports-oriented sedan offering from the luxury carmaker, which is primarily targeted towards the likes of Jaguar XE and is fully imported from Japan. The Infiniti Q50 is being offered in two variants – GT (RM 226,267) and GT Technology (RM 260,230).

Interior & Features

The Infiniti Q50 might look a lot more visually striking on the outside, but things are not as dramatic as they are on the outside. However, one thing is clear that it is a properly luxurious and modern place to be in.

The steering wheel looks like that of the previous generation Audis, with a trapezoidal center boss and an array of buttons placed on it. The Q50 misses out on the latest trend of full TFT instrument console, and instead gets a conventional one which in our opinion is designed too soberly.

The slanting center console is dominated by the presence of two large touchscreens placed one over the other. While the upper one is tucked quite in, the lower one has a crisper display and has buttons for performance and suspension modes as well as climate control and various other options.

The Q50 is quite loaded for a car of this class, as it is blessed with features like push-button start with keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, full leather upholstery with wooden and Kacchu aluminium inserts, 10-way powered driver’s seat with 2-way powered lumbar support, memory system for driver’s seat, outside mirrors and steering wheel settings, heated front seats, Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), automatic high beam headlamps and a premium BOSE 14-speaker audio system.

Exterior

Compared to its European offerings, the Infiniti Q50 has got a very unique and distinctive design, which indeed looks the sportiest in its segment. The different traditional Infiniti design values have been kept intact, while the overall design standing the current trends to make it look fresh.

At the front, the Q50 comes with Infiniti’s signature double-arch front grille, with kinks on its side edges. The pointy and angular headlamps incorporate full LED headlamps with daytime running LEDs, while the squared fog lamp housings on the front bumper give it a muscular stance.

From the side, the Infiniti Q50’s sporty aura is accentuated by the presence of sleek looking machined alloy wheels and chrome surrounds for the windows with a noticeable kink on the lower portion of the rear window.

The Infiniti Q50 looks a bit less dramatic at the rear, when compared to the front and rear, with big and curvy full LED tail lamps arresting your attention. The chrome garnish on both the upper and lower parts of the rear license plate housing is something which is unique, while the double exhaust pipes make it look sporty.

Ride & Handling

The Infiniti Q50 is equipped with independent, double-wishbone with coil springs with stabilizer bar at the front and independent, multi-link with coil springs with stabilizer bar at the rear. The overall suspension is tuned on a softer side for that sofa-like comfort. Also, the steering system comes with Active Trace Control, which regulates the vehicle braking and engine torque in order to enhance cornering feel.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Both the variants of the Infiniti Q50 source their thrust from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which produces a maximum power output of 213 PS and a peak torque output of 350 Nm. The engine is coupled to a 7-speed automatic gearbox and enables the car to cover the 0-100 kmph sprint in 7.2 seconds.

Braking & Safety

Just like the list of comfort and convenience features, the Infiniti Q50’s safety features list is also quite long. The car is loaded with safety features such as front, side and curtain passenger airbags Anti-locking Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, child safety ISOFIX System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with display, Vehicle Immobilizer System and Vehicle Security System (VSS).

Verdict

With the same level of quality, level of kit, performance and luxury levels as seen in its European counterparts, the Infiniti Q50 is an option which you really can’t ignore when you are looking out for a sporty and luxury sedan offering.