Detroit show: Infiniti unleashes Q60 coupe

INFINITI has shown off a sleek new replacement for its ageing Q60 coupe and confirmed it will get an all-new 298kW V6 engine.

The Q60 will land in Australian Infiniti dealerships before the fourth quarter to replace the slow-selling coupe that went on sale as the G37 in late 2012 when Nissan's luxury arm set up shop here. It has been available in other markets since 2007.

Unveiled at the Detroit motor show this week, the Q60 retains the exterior design of the striking concept that broke cover at the same show last year, with a number of Infiniti styling cues evident, including the crescent-shaped C-pillars and double-arch grille.

The production version will be offered with a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine from the VR powertrain, in two states of tune – 224kW and 298kW.

Reflecting the trend of downsizing engines, a four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol powertrain will also be on offer in international markets.

Infiniti Cars Australia general manager of corporate communications Peter Fadeyev said an announcement on what state of tune the V6 will be offered Down Under will be made closer to launch, while the four-pot is being examined but is yet to be confirmed.

The two-door coupe will be pitched against high-end rivals such as the BMW 4 Series, Audi A5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and the Lexus RC.

Nissan Motor Corporation and Renault-Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Ghosn said the Q60 highlighted Infiniti's growing reputation for design and performance.

“As the third-generation version of Infiniti’s iconic sports coupe, the new Q60 builds on Infiniti’s brand heritage and history of technology leadership,” he said. “It reinforces Infiniti’s reputation for performance, elegance and driver-focused design.” The higher output version of the V6 pumps out 298kW at 6400rpm and 475Nm at 1600-5200rpm, while the less powerful version delivers 224kW at 6400rpm and 400Nm at 1600-5200rpm.

Fuel economy and emissions are rated at 10.2 litres per 100km and 154g/km of CO2 in 224kW guise, while the 298kW variant is about 10.7L/100km and 206g/km.

The same engine in 298kW guise will show up under the bonnet of the Q50 sedan in the second half of this year.

The four-pot produces 155kW at 5500rpm and 350Nm torque at 1500rpm while consuming about 9.8L/100km and 154g/km of CO2 emissions.

Infiniti is yet to announce performance figures for the Q60.

The sole transmission is a seven-speed automatic with Adaptive Shift Control that can detect changes to the road and topography and alter the gear selection accordingly.

In standard guise, the Q60 drives the rear wheels, but an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system is also available.

V6 versions are fitted with Infiniti's Direct Adaptive Steering system, which, according to the car-maker, “transmits the driver’s input to the wheels faster than a mechanical system while requiring fewer steering corrections”.

A Drive Mode Selector offers six modes, depending on the variant, including Customise, Standard, Snow, Eco, Sport and Sport+.

Four-cylinder versions use a speed-sensitive hydraulic electronic rack and pinion power steering system and V6 variants gain a rack electric power steering set-up.

The standard suspension set-up is carried over from the mechanically related Q50 sedan, although it has been adapted for sportier ride and handling.

V6 versions use the Dynamic Digital Suspension system, which Infiniti said ensures “best-in-class” handling and agility, thanks in part to software and hardware upgrades that includes a new set of dampers. In Sport and Sport+ modes, the shock absorbers are electrically adjustable.

LED headlights with Light Guide Technology that spreads the light evenly on the road ahead are fitted, and 19-inch aluminium alloy wheels are standard with 20-inch hoops available in some markets.

Compared with last year’s concept, the gaps between the wheels and the arches are tighter, which Infiniti says lowers “the visual volume of the car giving it a low, powerful stance”.

The Q60 has a drag coefficient of 0.28.

Inside, the relationship to the Q50 is obvious, with the dash layout mirroring that of the mid-size sedan.

Aluminium, blackwood and carbon-fibre highlights are available, depending on the specification level, while high-contrast stitching is included throughout.

Infiniti says engineers focused on improving noise, vibration and harshness levels. Active Noise Cancellation is fitted to all variants to keep “negative” engine noise out of the cabin.

It will also feature the latest version of Infiniti's InTuition infotainment system that includes a faster processor and the ability to personalise the temperature, navigation, seating positions and audio-visual depending on preference.

A new 13-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system makes its debut in the Q60, while ergonomic seats that have been engineered to match the curvature of the occupant's spine are also standard.

Active and passive safety features include around view monitor, intelligent cruise control with distance control assist, forward emergency braking with pedestrian braking system, lane departure prevention, blind spot intervention and backup collision intervention.

Also on the Infiniti stand at Detroit was facelifted version of the QX60 crossover, but Mr Fadeyev told GoAuto that given it is produced in only left-hand drive, it would not make it to Australia in its current generation.

Infiniti Motor Company president Roland Krueger announced at the Detroit show that the company achieved record sales in 2015, with 215,250 vehicles sold globally, representing a 16 per cent increase over 2014.

The Nissan-owned brand passed 200,000 sales for the first time and was the fastest-growing premium brand in China for the second year running.

In Australia the company sold574 units last year, a 30.2 per cent lift over 2014, thanks largely to the introduction of the Q50 sedan that was the best-selling Infiniti model with 305 sales.

A product offensive is in full swing and includes the Q60, updates to thh Q50, facelifted Q70 sedan and QX70 SUV and the critical Q30 small hatch and QX30 crossover that are set to arrive this year.