Infiniti’s latest sports coupe is not only the boldest looking vehicle in the Infiniti and Nissan families, but possibly the boldest design in today’s premium sports coupe segment. The successor to the wildly popular G35 and G37, the Q60 offers dramatic body sculpting that looks fantastic from all angles. Up front, the Q60 sports the largest incarnation of Infiniti’s dramatic double-arched grille, surrounded by sleek modern LED headlamps inspired by the human eye.
Infiniti offers the Q60 with three engine choices – a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbo 4 that makes 208 hp, and the engine that enthusiasts really want, a new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, which can be had in 300 hp or 400 hp flavors. We spent our time in the most powerful version, the Red Sport 400.
A 7-speed automatic gearbox blends performance and fuel efficiency, and Infiniti’s water-cooled turbocharging system does a great job minimizing turbo lag. For those who prefer to take over shifting duties, there’s a manual mode with paddle shifters, and rev-matching downshifts.
In rear-wheel drive configuration, you’ll be treated to a launch to 60 mph in just about 5 seconds. For those in more wintry and wet climates, the Q60 can also be had in a rear-wheel biased AWD version, which can send up to 50% of power to the front to help with slippery conditions. Drivers can choose from six different driving modes based on their driving preferences, and a personalization mode offers hundreds of additional tuning permutations.
The Q60 offers a new version of Infiniti’s “steer-by-wire” Direct Adaptive Steering system, which is shockingly good, especially compared to the disconnected feel of this system we first drove in the Q50 a couple of years back. In contrast, the Q60 feels quite direct, with good weight and feedback, especially in Sport and Sport + modes. This system segregates the steering column from the steering rack, allowing for computer controlled tricks like varying the gear ratio as needed, reducing driver fatigue, and isolating the steering wheel from bumps in the road.
The available adaptive damping system adjusts the car’s suspension as driving conditions change, and helps provide sharp and confident cornering, while providing comfort when cruising. The staggered 19” wheels on the RWD model further improve grip and overall handling.
Inside, Infiniti ups the ante with a sleek and distinctive cockpit that’s both driver-centric and comfortable. A stacked center console offers separate screens for navigation and infotainment systems, and offers a good mix of touch and tactile controls. For the musically inclined, the 13-speaker Bose premium sound system offers up big, crisp, and clean audio.
The interior is rife with premium materials like leather seating surfaces with sporty, high-tech materials like real carbon fiber, sleek black wood, or a cool aluminum-like weave dubbed “Optic Fiber.” Sport seats offer up excellent support and bolstering to keep you planted in the corners, and comfortable on long road trips.
Like all Infinitis, safety tech is a priority. With the driver assistance package, you get features like intelligent cruise control that works at all speeds, blind spot monitoring that can prevent collisions with subtle braking, and a forward collision warning system that can alert you not just to the car in front of you, but if the car in front of them slams on their brakes. 360-degree surround view cameras, and front and rear radar sensors help prevent parking lot fender benders.
Battling competitors like the Cadillac ATS-V, Audi S5, BMW 4-series, and Lexus RC, the Q60 is arguably the best looking of the bunch, with a curvaceous look that stands out from the crowd. The Red Sport 400 version is especially compelling, with great handling, comfort, and plenty of power, and absolutely worth a look if you’re in the market for a luxury sports coupe.
The Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 starts at $51,300. Our fully-equipped test car had a sticker price of $59,555.