Turbo power for Infiniti Q60

Infiniti has launched the new Q60 coupe in Australia, with the basic Q60 GT starting from $62,900. That's $1000 less than the previous model powered by a 3.7-litre V6, but the downside for some buyers will be the transition to a turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant.

Despite the new Q60's downsized engine, the importer is confident the new coupe will bolster the Infiniti brand image in Australia. Introducing the brand's new slogan – 'Empower the drive' – at the local launch of the Q60 this week, Infiniti Australia MD Jean-Philippe Roux explained that Infiniti buyers are empowered by the company's products, "through technology and design".

"It's basically enabling you to actually stand out from the rest of the crowd by driving something different," he said. To that end, the technology of the Q60 is not just there "for the sake of technology," Roux added.

The new Q60's 2.0-litre engine drives to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. At 155kW the four-pot turbo is 80kW down on the peak power of the old V6, but torque is similar, with the smaller engine's figure of 350Nm available between 1250 and 3500rpm. Official fuel consumption for the new Q60 is 7.7L/100km in combined-cycle testing, and the 0-100km/h time is 7.3 seconds.

The Q60's wheels are 19-inch alloys shod with 255/40 R19 run-flat tyres. Suspension comprises MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link independent system at the rear. The Q60 steers through an electrically-assisted rack-and-pinion setup and the braking is handled by four-wheel discs (twin-piston at the front).

Measuring 4.7 metres in length, the new model is 2052mm wide – including mirrors – and stands 1395mm high, on a wheelbase of 2850mm. The kerb weight is 1698kg and the boot holds 342 litres of luggage.

Standard safety features for the Q60 include pre-crash seat belts, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, predictive forward collision warning, side-impact airbags for front seats, side-curtain airbags, ISOFIX child safety capsule anchorage points, advanced stability/traction control, brake assist and tyre pressure monitoring.

In its basic form, the Q60 GT comes equipped with follow-me-home lighting, keyless entry/start, fold-in heated mirrors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, puddle lights, dual-zone climate control, electrically-adjustable (eight-way) front seats with position memory linked to tilt/reach-adjustable steering column, leather upholstery, black Tricot headlining, brushed aluminium trim, ambient lighting, six-speaker audio with DAB+ (digital radio) and Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming.

Additionally, the Q60 GT also features satellite navigation, rear-view monitor, front/rear parking sensors with acoustic guidance, trip computer, electrochromatic mirror and cruise control.

Infiniti offers the Q60 GT with the $3000 option of an Enhancement Pack, which comprises sunroof, BOSE audio, Around View monitoring and adaptive front lighting. Metallic paint is another option, priced at $1500. Midnight Black is the only solid colour available. The other colours are all metallic and are named Graphite Shadow, Iridium Blue, Black Obsidian, Liquid Platinum, Hagane Blue and Pure White.

Servicing will cost the Q60 GT buyer $538 for the first, $643 for the second and $849 for the third, totalling $2030 (an average of $677). The service intervals are 12 months or 25,000km, and the warranty covers the car for four years or 100,000km.

In March of 2017 Infiniti will introduce the 298kW Q60 Red Sport with its twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 already available in the range-topping Q50 sedan. The importer is also considering the introduction of a lower output (224kW) V6 of the same capacity, but while that engine is not ruled out, nor is it a definite starter.