Review: 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400, silent, pretty and speedy

(Infiniti)

(Infiniti)

I like pretty things: flowers, sunsets, girls, but especially cars. When I see a pretty thing I’m usually reminded that among all the ugliness in the world, there are still moments of joy.

And it was Infiniti who gave me a week long moment of joy recently.

The luxury brand of Nissan sent me the new Q60 to try.  I have to admit that upon first glance I was struck by just what a pretty thing it is.

The 2-door coupe version of the Q50, the Q60 I was delivered was the top of the line Red Sport 400, clad in of course, red.  This new model has a wider, lower stance with a double-arch grille, crescent-shaped C-pillars and lines that make it look fast even sitting still. In a world of luxury performance vehicles, the exterior design certainly makes it stand out. Gold star to the designers.

There are four levels for the Q60: 2.0t, 2.0t Premium, 3.0t Premium, 3.0t Silver Sport and Red Sport 400.

The base model has heated mirrors, LED headlights and foglights, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats and Infiniti’s unique duel touchscreen control with an 8-inch upper, and 7-inch lower screens.  There’s also Bluetooth, USB ports, satellite radio with six-speakers and a rearview camera.

The 2.0t Premium adds a sunroof, which is optional on the base model, an HD radio with 13-speakers, and the 3.0t Premium mirrors the 2.0t adding a bigger V6 engine.  All three are set atop 19-inch alloy wheels.

Option packages for the 2.0t and 3.0t Premiums include a Plus package with heated seats, steering wheel, driver memory functions with power adjustable side bolsters, and the Infiniti InTouch emergency communications services and a navigation system.  The Driver Assistance package adds parking sensors front and rear, also a 360-degree camera view, blind spot monitoring with forward collision warning and automatic reverse braking, adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control, while the Leather seating package adds of course, leather upholstery.

The Red Sport gets the most powerful engine in the lineup along with an adaptive suspension, and 19-inch forged alloy wheels. It has all the features from the Premium levels along with full leather upholstery and can have the option packages available on the 2.0t and 3.0t.  The Silver Sport mirrors the Red Sport but gets a less powerful engine.

(Infiniti)

(Infiniti)

Those engines include a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo rated at 208 horsepower; 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo rated at 300 horsepower and for the Red Sport, a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo rated at 400 horsepower. All are mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC).

The beauty I found on the outside carried over to the interior.

The pleasing leather aroma might make a vegan gag, but since I usually make vegans walk, or go drive their Prius, that would never be an issue for me.

Once you get used to the two-screen setup, you’ll find it’s rather nice.  It can control all the functions via touch, dials and a control knob on the center console.

As pretty as it looks, the real beauty starts when the engine is fired.

400 horses under the hood of just about any coupe are nice.  Under the hood of the Q60, they’re perfect.  0-60 came in just under 5 seconds and the suspension seemed unafraid to meet any challenge.  Setting the mode to Sport+ unleashed the full potential of the Red Sport. There was one problem though; the sound. As in there was very little.  It would be nice to have an adaptive exhaust that opened up when the Q60 is in full beast mode. As it is, the sound seems like it’s a submarine running silently to try and avoid depth charges.

Beyond that there is very little not to like. Sure, you may not get the sound of a powerful sports car, but you get the same feeling.  And has it been mentioned how pretty this car is?

In the world of luxury performance cars, Infiniti has a player. Just don’t expect them to shout about it, at least not very loudly.

The 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400
MSRP: $51,300
MSRP (as tested): $60,355
Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6; 400 hp @ 6400rpm, 350 lb-ft torque@ 1600rpm
Transmission: 7-speed shiftable automatic w/OD
Fuel Mileage (EPA):  20 city, 27 hwy, 22 combined
Fuel Mileage (as tested, mixed conditions): 23mpg
Base Curb Weight     3862

Interior Dimensions (In)
Passenger Capacity:    4 adults
Passenger Volume:    84.6
Front Head Room:    37.4
Front Leg Room:    43.1
Front Shoulder Room:     54.6
Front Hip Room:     53.9
Second Head Room:     34.5
Second Leg Room:     32.4
Second Shoulder Room:     52
Second Hip Room:     47.9
Weight Information

Exterior Dimensions (In)
Wheelbase:    112.2
Length, Overall:     184.7
Width, Max w/o mirrors:     72.8
Height, Overall:     54.9
Cargo Area Dimensions
Trunk Volume:     12.1 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

All specs can be found here

Greg Engle

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