Infiniti Q50 Hybrid 2013 Review - International

It’s a long time since a Japanese car has wowed me. By and large, the modicum of models currently on offer from the land of the rising sun lacks innovation and excitement.

It seems to me that Japan’s mainstream and premium brands are now content to simply follow trends -- eventually, at least -- and show few signs of the leadership that once earned them enviable levels of respect from contemporaries and buyers alike.

So when I was thrown the keys to Infiniti’s Q50 Hybrid -- the model set to rival BMW’s 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and Lexus IS -- I wasn’t sure just what to expect.

On paper, it looks impressive and from the outset the car appears very well screwed together. The attention to detail paid to even the smallest areas of the Q50 impresses, and I’m the first to admit to being a little anal retentive where such issues are concerned.

If you’re a stickler for material quality, you’ll be pleased to know Infiniti uses real materials in all of its vehicles and the Q50 Hybrid is no exception. If you see wood, it’s real wood. The aluminium is real and the leather indisputably genuine, aromatic and soft.

Once inside, the Q50 Hybrid seems to cosset and envelop you within the sumptuous leather seating. The primary controls fall to hand intuitively and, functionally, systems that control vehicle preferences, climate control, audio and the like are blissfully easy to operate.

The driving position is well located ergonomically and offers very good outward vision, while the seat itself provides apposite levels of support thanks to a wide range of electric adjustability.

For those who enjoy their gadgets the Q50 will impress, though not all of these will make it to Oz. Included on the list as standard are LED headlights, heated seats and steering wheel, full electroluminescent instrumentation, dual-zone climate-control, keyless start and entry, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming (the noise-cancelling BOSE ‘Studio on Wheels’ audio system is impressive in its own right), around-view and rear-view monitoring and internet connectivity.

And that’s before we start on the electronic driver assistance aids, of which there are far too many to list here.

But not all of the gadgetry is limited to inside the cabin. The driveline is equally as modern. The Q50 Hybrid is powered by a Nissan-sourced 220kW/345Nm 3.5-litre V6 coupled via a clever dual-clutch decoupling unit to an electric motor developing 50kW and 270Nm.

Combined, the output figure is listed at 264kW/365Nm. Drive is dispatched to the rear wheels via a silky yet flexible seven-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission, and although an all-wheel drive model is available in some markets, it won’t be coming to Oz. Combined fuel economy is said to be around 7.5L/100km.

The world-first steer-by-wire system is vehicle speed sensitive and customisable for weight, feel and ratio parameters.

The steering itself is accurate and impeccably direct, though the ratio could be a little tight for a road car (you know there’s something wrong when a quarter turn of the wheel sees you around a 90-degree bend). But the good news is that it can be tuned at the push of a button and, even in the ‘normal’ setting, the steering has a surprisingly natural fee about it.

The Q50 Hybrid rides on a double wishbone front, multi-link rear suspension arrangement supported by stabiliser bars at both ends. It is stopped by ventilated disc brakes all round and available optionally with larger rotors grabbed by four-pot calipers at the front and two-pot calipers out back.

Open-road cruising on a mix of freeway and back-canyon roads around Orange County proved the Q50 is a planted traveller.

It does feel a little heavy when really pushed (it is, after all, 1775kg), but at no time did the vehicle feel even close to giving up its purchase on the road. The body reacts instantly to changes in direction with no sway whatsoever and in spite of its rigidity does not ride harshly, though on the smooth surfaces encountered during our brief road loop this could be deceiving. Let’s see how it goes on rough Aussie roads.

The growl under acceleration is purposeful, but suitably dimmed to suit the Q50 Hybrid’s luxury tilt. Infiniti say the Q50 Hybrid will hit 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, which is quick in anyone’s language.

There’s no backlash through the drivetrain and very little rumble from the low-profile 17-inch alloy wheels -- even on concrete sections of freeway. In fact, the only real detraction in NVH quality comes in the form of wind noise from the mirrors and A-pillar at around 80mph (and is therefore something we won’t have to worry about).

As a purposeful mid-size touring car with a sporting attitude – and green credentials -- the Q50 Hybrid is one car from Japan that has innovation on its side.

It’s a comfortable and enjoyable drive and one that does it all without compromise. If there was just a little more rear legroom the Q50 Hybrid would be a class-leader in just about every respect.

It’s a truly impressive vehicle and one I can’t wait to spend more time in on local roads.

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