Infiniti Q60 Coupe review

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Infiniti is taking a softly, softly approach to cracking the European market, so its Q60 Coupe will have exclusivity on its side. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

On paper, Infiniti looks to have a very competitive Coupe on its hands here. The Q60 has potent engines and comes with a ton of equipment at an attractive price. The styling looks pretty good too, but running costs could prove high and the depth of talent evident in the established contenders will take some beating.

Driving Experience

Two powertrains are being offered here: a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 208bhp and a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol unit producing 400hp. Both are offered only with auto transmission. The 2.0-litre variant comes with rear wheel drive, but go for the V6 and all four wheels are propelled, though the rear axle can potentially receive all of the powerplant's grunt if agile handling is required. As is usual in this class, a selectable vehicle dynamics system is being offered, this one providing Snow, Eco, Standard, Sport and Sport+ modes. The V6 model also has adjustable electronic dampers, labelled 'Dynamic Digital Suspension' in Infiniti-speak.

Go for the plusher 'S Sport'-spec and you'll get Infiniti's controversial direct adaptive steering, a set-up we didn't like when it was first fitted to the brand's Q50 saloon. It's been improved since though and there's certainly plenty of opportunity to tailor the feel of the set-up. As well as the dynamic drive settings just mentioned, you can overlay default, Dynamic and Dynamic+ steering response modes via the infotainment screen. The steering system is supposed to be able to react more quickly than a mechanical system, adjusting itself up to 1000 times a second. As for performance, well expect the 2.0-litre model to be able to make 62mph in 7.3s en route to 146mph. With the 3.0-litre V6, those figures improve to 5s and 150mph.

Design and Build

The styling job that's been done on the Q60 Coupe is enough to make it the most attractive model in the Infiniti stable. The shape is classic 3-door Coupe with its long bonnet and roofline rapidly dropping away towards the tail. There are elements of Mercedes C-Class Coupe in the swept back rear end but in general, the car is more about its cohesive shape than any standout details. The interior hosts a four-seat layout and a 342-litre boot.

The cabin of a prestigious coupe is a vital area for it's here where owners must be reminded that the premium they've paid over more proletarian models has been worthwhile. As you'd expect from a Japanese brand, the build quality is hard to criticise but there are lots of buttons cluttering up the fascia and the cohesion of design that the leading brands achieve isn't quite there. Infiniti makes a valiant attempt at compensating for any shortcomings with an equipment list as long as your leg.

Market and Model

Prices range in the £34,000 to £47,000 bracket, so Infiniti has pitched this Q60 directly at the German models that dominate the Executive Coupe sector, two-door versions of Audi's A5, BMW's 4 Series and Mercedes' C-Class. We think it's more likely to sell though, to the kind of buyer who might be looking at the only other alternative in this segment, the Lexus RC. In the Q60 range, customers of the 2.0-litre variant choose between 'Premium' and 'S Sport' trim options, with upgraded 'Tech' variants of both these options also available. With the 3.0-litre AWD derivative, you choose between 'S Sport' and 'S Sport Tech'.

Kit levels are extensive. Even the base 'Premium' model comes with 19-inch 5-spoke 3D Bi-tone alloy wheels, LED auto-level headlamps, a rear view camera, Forward Emergency Braking and i-Key keyless entry. The 'Premium Tech' variant adds to this the Infiniti Navigation System, Intelligent Cruise Control, an 'Around View Monitor' and a 13-speaker BSE Performance Series audio system. Plusher 'Sport' models get ambient interior lighting, Direct Adaptive Steering and magnesium paddle shifters.

Cost of Ownership

Ultimately, as with many Infiniti models, the thing that will limit sales most here is the lack a decent diesel engine. Or in this case, any kind of diesel engine. The big petrol 3.0 V6 in the Q60 Coupe returns 31mpg on the combined cycle, with accompanying CO2 emissions of 208g/km. This equates to hefty running costs which might well be a deterrent to some. Better of course is the 2WD 2.0t petrol variant, which manages 41.5mpg and 156g/km. Residual values will be a major determining factor in the Q60's fortunes in the UK and it may take a while before the market settles on how it's going to value the latest Infiniti products in comparison to rivals.

Summary

This Q60 Coupe is a fresh, stylish, imaginative and very rare choice in a £35,000-£45,000 luxury coupe sector rather over-stuffed with German alternatives. Not that being the only one in your private road to have one of these would mean much if this car didn't look stunning and go like stink. But it does and it will. Plus you get more kit as standard than those mean German brands will give you.

Those are a lot of pluses to counter the downside of buying into a brand that, though over thirty years old, will probably one that few of your friends will have heard of. If you've tried something else in his segment and come away underwhelmed, then try one of these. You may well be surprised.