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Gorgeous styling has made the new Q60 a relative hit for Infiniti. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
I know it’s unfair to put a 14-year old classic up against a completely new car, but there’s a reason I choose to. The light and lively nature of the original was somewhat dampened by the considerably more potent and dynamically superior second-generation G37 Coupe, which morphed into the Q60 as part of Infiniti’s brand-wide renaming scheme in the summer of 2013. Yet despite its performance gains and much-improved interior design, fit, finish, materials quality and features set,
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The Q60 looks as good from behind as it does from up front. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
In fact, I like the entire 2017 Q60 lineup, having driven and reviewed the new 3.0t AWD model last fall, but while a wonderfully quick, impressively refined and beautifully sculpted performance machine it was nowhere near the car this Q60 Red Sport 400 is.
The Red Sport 400 is a BMW M4 for those who prefer subtler styling and less aggressive dynamics. It’s blazingly quick with 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque driving both axles, its paddle-shift actuated seven-speed automatic rows through the gears fast enough for all but adrenaline-addicted track stars, and it’ll carve
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LED headlights, DRLs and fog lamps make for great style and superb nighttime visibility. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
The Red Sport 400 comes standard with a quicker steering ratio too, while my tester was also improved via Infiniti’s very reactive and remarkably natural feeling steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering as part of its Technology package, which does away with the steering column (although there’s a failsafe mechanical connection just in case). Lastly, Infiniti includes more powerful sport brakes with red-painted calipers for shorter, more controlled stopping performance no matter the level of workout endured prior to calling them into action, although given enough track time it’s always possible to cause any car’s brakes to fade.
Considering
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These stunning 19-inch rims and red brake calipers are standard on the Red Sport 400. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
No matter the powertrain, every new Q60 drives all four wheels through a quick shifting albeit ultra-smooth seven-speed automatic with rev-matched downshifts; the
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The Q60 Red Sport 400 is all about good design instead of boy racer flash, the "S" the only indication of this car’s performance potential. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
If
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An impressive array of high quality finishings, luxury and tech awaits. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
The brand’s trademark purple-tinted Fine Vision electroluminescent primary gauges are as bright and legible as always, while the large and highly functional colour TFT display at centre is a world of quick-access information. As usual Infiniti’s
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The Q60 cockpit is a wonderful place to be. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Now that we’re talking the practical day-to-day issues of life with a Q60 Red Sport 400, take note those superb front seats offer a lot of room for larger folks and the ability to get close to the pedals for those on the smaller side, while most should find the powered steering column provides enough rake and reach for ideal ergonomics.
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Simple, straightforward electroluminescent gauges flank a large colour MID. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Normally this is where I criticize a given sport coupe’s trunk size, but not so with the new Q60 thanks to 375 litres (13.2 cubic feet) of cargo capacity. That’s 75 litres (2.6 cubic feet) more than the outgoing Q60, while access comes via the key fob or an intelligently placed, mostly hidden
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A 360-degree parking camera is a nice bonus. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Part of the Red Sport 400’s value proposition is its immense helping of standard features, with exterior items not yet mentioned including a sport tuned double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, active trace control that modulates braking and engine torque to improve cornering feel, 19-inch twinned five-spoke alloys on 255/40R19 all-season run-flat performance tires, full LED headlights, LED
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You can row through the gears here or via standard paddle shifters. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Remote start will warm up or cool off the car before getting inside, while proximity keyless access makes doing so easier and pushing the ignition button results in all systems go. You’ll cross signed aluminum treadplates on your way in, enjoy the warmth and overall feel of the heatable leather-wrapped multifunction sport steering wheel, and the coldness of the leather- and aluminum-clad shift knob during winter months. A quick touch verifies the aluminum trim is genuine too, while additional Red Sport 400 equipment includes rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone auto climate control, voice recognition, text message and email reading capability, a
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Elegant attention to detail adds to the upscale ambience of all Q60s. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
Of
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These 8-way leather-clad sport seats are wonderfully comfortable and plenty supportive. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
As noted earlier, my car was equipped with Direct Adaptive Steering that came as part of the $3,200 Technology package, which also includes auto-leveling and adaptive cornering headlight control with auto high beams, full-range adaptive cruise control, distance control assist, Infiniti’s ultra-annoying Eco pedal that pushes back on your right foot when pressing the throttle and therefore causes me to turn off Eco mode altogether, thus a counterproductive technology (I’m guessing I’m not alone), advanced climate control with plasmacluster and grape polyphenol
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Rear seating for medium-sized adults is better than average in this class.(Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
As you can probably imagine, sales of the new Q60 are much stronger than the old model, with May 2017 numbers a whole 100-percent better than the same month last year. What’s more, after a full five months of 2017 the Q60’s 540 year-to-date deliveries are up a staggering 2354.5-percent compared to just 22 over the same period last year; that number also well beyond the 422 total units sold during all of 2016.
At
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This is the 400-hp twin-turbo beast in all its glory. (Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press) |
I certainly understand what all the fuss is about. No matter which powertrain or trim you buy, the Q60 delivers beauty, refinement, quality, value, and speed, the latter especially true of this Red Sport 400. You owe it to yourself to take this car for a spin.
©(Copyright Canadian Auto Press)