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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
The Q50 might boast a new name and revised styling, upgraded interior quality and a mind-blowing list of standard and optional features including a powerful hybrid-electric version, it’s still a G at heart. It remains one of the most energetic cars in its class off the line and on the highway. Its handling capability is astounding. It continues to impress in interior refinement and features. And lastly its styling is arguably better than ever.
I
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Even the base Q50 is an impressive offering, especially considering its $37,500 price tag (plus freight), with standard Intelligent Key proximity sensing remote entry and pushbutton start, beautiful Fine Vision electroluminescent primary gauges, a stunning dual-display high-gloss full-colour touchscreen Infiniti InTuition infotainment system (with eight-inch upper and seven-inch lower screens), a comfy heated steering wheel, even more comfortable eight-way powered front seats with adjustable lumbar support for the driver, dual zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rearview monitor, satellite
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Unusual is a standard V6 that’s more powerful than any of the German competitors’ non-performance-badged (S, M, or AMG) alternatives, with a stimulating 328-horsepower from its 3.7 litres. Torque is plentiful at 269 lb-ft, and the standard seven-speed automatic with driver Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), manual shift mode and Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) makes good use of the engine’s powerband, resulting in thrilling acceleration (zero to 100 km/h in a mere 5.8
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
On that note Infiniti claims 10.6 L/100km city and 6.7 highway for the base Q50, but we all know that they’re governed by Transport Canada’s pathetically useless EnerGuide system that will be updated later this year for 2015 models. For real-world fuel economy figures we need to look south of the 49th to the U.S. EPA system, which when converted to metric are estimated at 11.7 L/100km city and 7.8 highway, still pretty good as far as performance-oriented sport-luxury sedans go. I should mention that my AWD model is rated a little worse, at 11.1 city and 7.3 highway on the Canadian system and 12.3 city and 8.7 highway via the EPA, whereas my personal results were still quite reasonable at 10.7 L/100km.
Infiniti’s
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Infiniti does offer an Eco mode via the aforementioned Drive Mode selector that will improve fuel economy if you’re willing to dull the car’s senses, although it’s possible the Eco pedal might actually shock your system as it presses back on the throttle when you try to accelerate too quickly, forcibly teaching you to be more conscious of wasting fossil fuels. I found myself switching between this setting and Sport mode, which heightens response times and allows the V6 to rev more freely,
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Speaking of tight twisting sections of tarmac, the Q50 is every bit as exciting to drive as the outgoing G37, and my particular car included what might be the most advanced steering system in the auto industry. Direct Adaptive Steering, which comes as part of the $5,700 Deluxe Touring & Technology package, removes the Q50’s standard rack and pinion vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering and replaces it with a steer-by-wire system that includes no mechanical connection between steering wheel and tires (when working properly). Infiniti has been perfecting this system for 10 years and it shows, as it’s difficult to tell that it’s not a regular steering system that’s been well set up. The difference is that it reacts quicker to driver input, ultimately responding to what you’re doing rather than the other
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
Incidentally, the Deluxe Touring & Technology package also includes a power tilt and telescopic steering column that can be automatically adjusted by the dual occupant memory system, which will automatically set the driver’s seat and mirrors
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
What this package and no Q50 Premium AWD model includes (or the base version)
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Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press |
That I could only find a single complaint says a lot about the 2014 Infiniti Q50. It’s a fabulous looking, great performing car loaded with top-tier features for superb value, reasons enough for the Q50 becoming as popular as the G was in its day. It certainly deserves your attention.
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