2017 Car Review: 2017 Infiniti Q60 Low, Lean and Good Looking A Review By Larry Nutson
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2017 Infiniti Q60
Low, lean and good looking
- 4 Star Rating by The Auto Channel
By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel
In a world of SUVs and sedans, the 2-door coupe gets no respect. Once known to be the sleeker, more stylish and perhaps better performing body style within a brand, all that has now changed today.
Granted, today, a 4-door sedan can be just as attractive as a coupe. And that’s a far cry from years ago. Coupes were designed for the individual whereas sedans were for the family.
Case in point, my wife shopped a coupe about five years ago and we mutually agreed it would not be the best decision. We would often need the capability to provide transportation for family visiting from out-of-town to our home and a coupe back seat is not very adult-friendly.
But, in the luxury end of the marketplace coupes make a bit more sense. The luxury vehicle buyer is often looking for, and can afford, personal transportation. Perhaps it’s something just for weekend use to sporting or social events.
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Infiniti introduced an all-new Q60 sports coupe for 2017. Now for the first time it’s offered with three engine choices. There’s a 208-HP 2.0-L turbo 4-cylinder or a 3.0-L twin-turbo V6. The V6 comes in a 300-HP version and 400-HP version.
A seven-speed automatic gets the power from the engine to the wheels and all-wheel drive is an available option.
The Q60 coupe is a 4-seater with prices starting at $38,950 for the 2.0t. The 2.0t Premium runs $41,300 and the 3.0t Premium is priced at $44,300. A 3.0t Sport was added during the year priced at $48,300. AWD is $2,000 additional on each of these models.
For max performance there’s the Q60 Red Sport 400 at $51,300 for RWD and $53,300 for AWD.
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I drove the 300-HP 3.0t Premium AWD with a base price of $46,300. It was loaded with a number of option packages bringing the total to $57,255.
One of the notable options on my test car was Infiniti’s Direct Adaptive Steering ($1,000), which is a steer-by-wire system. There’s no mechanical connection from the steering wheel. Electronics do the job. Long in development, now today it can be applied confidently to a vehicle. I thought steering feel and feedback was good and I felt connected to the road.
The Q60 was optioned-up with lots of high-tech driver-assistance safety features including smart cruise control, lane departure prevention and lane control, forward collision warning and emergency braking that will stop the car, backup collision prevention and more. All good stuff that helps avoid crashes.
By the way, if you would like a better understanding of all this new technology, the National Safety Council and the University of Iowa have teamed up to provide an online, mobile- and tablet-friendly resource www.mycardoeswhat.org to help educate consumers. The website’s homepage lists the 28 technology and safety features present on vehicles today. This webpage is a great resource to consult when you are car shopping.
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The Q60’s cockpit is modern and techy. It’s also quiet. Front seats are comfortable and provide good support. The rear is a bit tight, but that’s what coupes are like. With thirteen speakers the Bose Audio produced concert-hall sound. A Drive Mode Selector lets you personalize and tailor suspension and steering performance to suit your style, or mood for that matter. There are two touch screens in the center console for navigation and other controls, eliminating the myriad of buttons and switches.
The 300-HP V6 delivers plenty of performance. Actually, the average individual doesn’t need any more. Around town acceleration and highway on-ramp merging are done with ease. Top speed is in the “buck and a half” range. Infiniti offers a new Sport Exhaust Kit for the Q60 sports coupe that will help make your presence known in the neighborhood with an improved aural exhaust note.
I didn’t do any fuel economy runs with the Q60 and that’s probably not high on many owner’s priorities. EPA test-cycle ratings are 22 mpg combined, with 19 city and 27 highway mpg, on the 3.0t AWD model.
The trunk isn’t huge but it’s plenty roomy for two to go on a weekend road trip or make a run with luggage to the airport for a getaway.
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More info and specs can be found at Infiniti Research and Buyers Guide or www.infinitiusa.com.
At the Geneva auto show this year, Infiniti and Renault Sport Formula One announced they are working on Project Black S to explore the potential for a new Infiniti high-performance model line. A reinterpretation of the Q60 coupe hints at a performance hybrid powertrain, inspired by Formula One energy recovery systems. There’ll be extensive use of carbon fiber for revised design that enhances aerodynamic performance and cooling.
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Stay tuned!
With many short-term car rentals available today, more folks could consider a coupe for their everyday ride. If you then need something with more seats or cargo space a few times a year an SUV rental is an easy way to go.
© 2017 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
The Most Independent Infiniti Research Information; Anywhere!
