Caraganza Review 2021 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport: Bring on the meat loaf

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There’s some comfort in familiarity. Like mom’s meat loaf, or an old sweater. When the world gets too much we can retreat and surround ourselves with those things that we remember from our past that brings us comfort. Except of course I never really liked meatloaf (sorry mom) and I live in Florida so sweaters, old or new, are pretty much useless. But you get the idea.

Anyway, my point is that rarely in the automotive world do you get to experience that comforting feeling of familiarity. Sure, I get it. The automotive market is in a constant state of change it seems and in many ways, it has to be. Tech stuff gets updated, peoples tastes change and designs get updated.

I remember buying a 2001 Eclipse. It was 2004 and I got for steal, and because I liked the way it looked. Then the next model year it got completely redesigned; as in totally different. I was so annoyed. The same thing happened to me back in the 1980s when I bought a Pontiac Sunbird only to see if designed the very next year.

Sort of like TV shows. If I like it, it’s guaranteed not to last more than a season, maybe two. And if it has been around for a while, and I suddenly start watching it, it will be cancelled shortly after. It’s like the Nielson people have a way to know what I’m watching and make the ratings plunge.

All this hit me when Infiniti sent me a Q60 for a recent week. The first time I had a week with one was back in 2017. That was the Red Sport 400, and one of the first things I liked about it was the look. Man, what a pretty, pretty car. Then I had another week with a 2018 the following year, and it was still looking just as good.

Fast forward to now and I was delivered the 2021 edition of the Q60, also a Red Sport 400, and thankfully they haven’t changed.

I had the Q60s slightly larger sedan version, the Q50 just a few months ago; that was also a Red Sport, and having borrowed some design cues from the Q60, just as gorgeous. It was just a bit narrower, a bit higher with a little more room inside. But it had the same twin turbocharged V6 belting out 400 horsepower under the hood, so all was well.

The Q60 is a true sports coupe; two doors, a wider stance, and a bit closer to the pavement. Slipping inside brought back all the familiar memories from 2017, which truth be told seems like a lifetime ago.

For 2021 not much was added/changed. The Q60 can still be had in the Pure, Luxe and Red Sport 400 trims. The Pure is nicely equipped with 19-inch wheels, keyless ignition and entry, remote start, rain-sensing windshield wipers, power-adjustable front seats, simulated leather, and dual-zone climate control.  There’s also the dual-touchscreen infotainment interface (8-inch upper screen, 7-inch lower) which I like and satellite radio along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and Wi-Fi hotspot.

The Luxe adds some comfort features like a sunroof, leather, heated front seats, and steering wheel, a 13-speaker Bose sound system, a 360-degree camera system and the advance safety systems like lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

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You can option in a power-adjustable steering wheel, a cabinair purifier and a navigation system.

Both the Pure and Luxe have a 300 horse V6 under the hood. And all three levels can option in all-wheel drive.

Moving up to the Red Sport gets the more powerful engine, adds 20-inch rims with high performance tires along with sport seats, sport tuned suspension, upgraded brakes in addition to the options found on the Luxe.

If you’re looking for a roomy, spacious cabin and lots of cargo room you best move on to the Q50 which has 13.5 cubic feet, while the Q60 has a maximum cargo capacity of 8.7 cubic feet. The Q50 seats 5 adults, the Q60 4.

But if you are looking for some fun then stay right where you are.

On the road, like all the other Red Sport variants I’ve driven, the 400 horses under the hood of the Q60 when dialed into Sport mode, growls, snarls and explodes off the line (0-60 in 4.4 seconds). The coupe minds its manners in aggressive cornering and looks damn good while doing it.

Sure, this isn’t an F-Type, nor does it have an “M” badge, but getting a loaded Red Sport 400 is far more in reach than those others. And just as much fun.

I guess maybe I’m biased since I think this is easily one of most beautiful cars on the road today. Oh wait, I better not say that…shoot. Oh well, too late.

Let’s hope though that this second generation of Q60, which was first introduced in 2017, sticks around for a while anyway.

By the way, I just started watching The Bachelor which is now my favorite TV show.
The 2021 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD
MSRP: $60,100
MSRP (as tested): $67,085
Engine: 3.0 Liter twin turbocharged V6, 400 hp @ 6400 rpm, 350 lb-ft torque @ 1600 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed shiftable automatic
Curb weight: 3882 lbs.

Exterior Dimensions
Wheelbase: 112.2 in.
Height: 54.5 in.
Length: 184.4 in.
Maximum cargo capacity: 8.7 cu.ft.
Width: 72.8 in.
Interior Dimensions
Front head room: 37.4 in.
Front hip room: 53.9 in.
Front leg room: 43.1 in.
Front shoulder room: 54.6 in.
Rear head room: 34.5 in.
Rear hip Room: 47.9 in.
Rear leg room: 32.4 in.
Rear shoulder room: 52.0 in
Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 8.7 cu.ft.
EPA interior volume: 93.3 cu.ft.

Warranty
Basic: 4 Years/60,000 Miles
Drivetrain: 6 Years/70,000 Miles
Corrosion: 7 Years/Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance: 4 Years/Unlimited Miles

Greg Engle

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