Mirroring the relationship with Nissan as Lexus has with Toyota, the Infiniti brand never really took off here in Singapore during the 90s. Even when it made a comeback sometime in late 2011, the cars - while impressive and powerful - were often a notch lower in terms of driveability as well as fit and finish when pitched against other luxury marques such as Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.
But with the recent launch of the Q50, the Japanese carmaker may just turn the tables around. Replacing the Infiniti G sedan, the car that you see here is Infiniti's first foray into the compact executive sedan segment in Singapore.
Exterior
The metal cover is simply striking, thanks to the exaggerated and bold lines and curves that stretch from tip to tip. The fact that the Sport variant tested here comes with an additional front bumper and 18-inch wheels further accentuate the car's sporty appearance.
But with the recent launch of the Q50, the Japanese carmaker may just turn the tables around. Replacing the Infiniti G sedan, the car that you see here is Infiniti's first foray into the compact executive sedan segment in Singapore.
Exterior
The metal cover is simply striking, thanks to the exaggerated and bold lines and curves that stretch from tip to tip. The fact that the Sport variant tested here comes with an additional front bumper and 18-inch wheels further accentuate the car's sporty appearance.
As a matter of fact, the dramatic yet muscular styling (which is water-inspired) is likely to be the decisive factor for buyers to bite the cake. In our eyes, the design of the Q50 overshadows, say, the BMW 3 Series and the Lexus IS without coming across as trying too hard. The sleek LED head and tail lamps, daytime running lights and aggressive honeycomb grille complete the car's leap to modernity, too.
Sitting some 4,790mm long, 1,820mm wide and 1,455mm tall, the Infiniti Q50 is bigger than both the 3 Series and the Lexus IS. As you can possibly imagine, this, together with its brawny frame, is a perfect combination to attract all the eyes of envy and judgements of jealousy.
Sitting some 4,790mm long, 1,820mm wide and 1,455mm tall, the Infiniti Q50 is bigger than both the 3 Series and the Lexus IS. As you can possibly imagine, this, together with its brawny frame, is a perfect combination to attract all the eyes of envy and judgements of jealousy.
Interior
Of course, like diamond rings, size isn't everything (even if the ring is fully wrapped in diamonds) if the lady wearing it isn't exactly the most humble of sorts. In this case, the Q50 comes through nicely by fulfilling its beefy character with a sense of softness on the inside.
The business class cabin is comfortable and convenient, with driver aids such as keyless entry, Start/Stop button and two high-res touchscreens (8.0-inch and 7.0 inch). While the materials surrounding the cabin are all soft to the touch and are no doubt of high-quality, it lacks the inspiring feel that Lexus cars have been known to have.
What's not lacking in the car, however, is the host of hi-tech technologies inside. Dubbed the Infiniti InTouch, this system houses numerous functions, which significantly rids the centre console of buttons and controls. It may not be as intuitive as the BMW iDrive, but it's a concerted effort that allows Infiniti to be on par with its peers.
Of course, like diamond rings, size isn't everything (even if the ring is fully wrapped in diamonds) if the lady wearing it isn't exactly the most humble of sorts. In this case, the Q50 comes through nicely by fulfilling its beefy character with a sense of softness on the inside.
The business class cabin is comfortable and convenient, with driver aids such as keyless entry, Start/Stop button and two high-res touchscreens (8.0-inch and 7.0 inch). While the materials surrounding the cabin are all soft to the touch and are no doubt of high-quality, it lacks the inspiring feel that Lexus cars have been known to have.
What's not lacking in the car, however, is the host of hi-tech technologies inside. Dubbed the Infiniti InTouch, this system houses numerous functions, which significantly rids the centre console of buttons and controls. It may not be as intuitive as the BMW iDrive, but it's a concerted effort that allows Infiniti to be on par with its peers.
There is also a Drive Mode Selector that alters the shift patterns and throttle sensitivity through various modes: Eco, Standard, Sport, Snow and Personal. As the names suggest, Eco delivers a more lacklustre throttle response while Sport increases the throttle sensitivity and holds the gears at a higher rev before changing cogs.
Thanks to its bigger dimensions and its generous wheelbase of 2,850mm (versus IS250's 2,800mm and 3er's 2,810mm), legroom is sufficient for occupants on board this compact executive sedan. Although the transmission tunnel is a tad high and intrusive, the centre rear passenger gets to enjoy more space, thanks to the wider and longer bench.
Thanks to its bigger dimensions and its generous wheelbase of 2,850mm (versus IS250's 2,800mm and 3er's 2,810mm), legroom is sufficient for occupants on board this compact executive sedan. Although the transmission tunnel is a tad high and intrusive, the centre rear passenger gets to enjoy more space, thanks to the wider and longer bench.
Drivetrain
At the heart of the car is a 2.0-litre four-pot turbocharged powerplant that's a smooth operator. Thanks to the silky seven-speed automatic transmission, you're never in the wrong gear at any point in time. The Q50 revs and shifts accordingly through the seven cogs decidedly and effortlessly.
Granted that it isn't as quiet as the Lexus IS250, but the Q50 holds its own very well. It luxury points aren’t earned from how quiet the engine is or how well-insulated the cabin is. Instead, it earns its credit through a linear power delivery - all 208 horses of it. On the empty straights, you can feel the surge coming on once it passes the 3,000rpm mark but it's never sudden or intrusive. Thus, the century sprint timing of 7.2 seconds is accomplished in a rather nonchalant manner.
Around town, thanks to the generous torque amount of 350Nm, the Q50 is a cinch to pilot as it zips in and out of gaps and in between vehicles like a much smaller car.
More impressively, the suspension setup is admirable. It soaks up broken tarmac and rough patches with an incredible composure (the rear passenger who fell asleep didn't even wake up when we went over a bump at a rather high speed!).
At the heart of the car is a 2.0-litre four-pot turbocharged powerplant that's a smooth operator. Thanks to the silky seven-speed automatic transmission, you're never in the wrong gear at any point in time. The Q50 revs and shifts accordingly through the seven cogs decidedly and effortlessly.
Granted that it isn't as quiet as the Lexus IS250, but the Q50 holds its own very well. It luxury points aren’t earned from how quiet the engine is or how well-insulated the cabin is. Instead, it earns its credit through a linear power delivery - all 208 horses of it. On the empty straights, you can feel the surge coming on once it passes the 3,000rpm mark but it's never sudden or intrusive. Thus, the century sprint timing of 7.2 seconds is accomplished in a rather nonchalant manner.
Around town, thanks to the generous torque amount of 350Nm, the Q50 is a cinch to pilot as it zips in and out of gaps and in between vehicles like a much smaller car.
More impressively, the suspension setup is admirable. It soaks up broken tarmac and rough patches with an incredible composure (the rear passenger who fell asleep didn't even wake up when we went over a bump at a rather high speed!).
It's only when you try and tackle a bend with gusto when you start feeling the lack of feedback from the car. The car isn't stingy in any ways on driving rewards, but it isn't generous either. You see, in Standard mode, the car doesn't feel aggressive enough to tackle corners while in Sport mode, the steering feels far too heavy to manoeuvre. You could set it to Personal mode but it doesn't take away the fact that the steering isn't as talkative as you'd want it to be.
On the bright side, the Q50 doesn't have the disposition to urge you to drive hard every time. It's a car you'd want to be seen driving around in a gentlemanly manner.
Conclusion
Like the girl with the exaggerated diamond ring (yes, yes, I'm still at the ring), the Q50's blend of brawn and beauty make it a fresh alternative to other cars in its segment. It may be too loud (or even too shiny) for some to take the plunge but it'll definitely impress casual observers.
At the price of $218,800 (as of 3rd September 2014), the Infiniti Q50's comfortable cabin, healthy dose of power and polished road manners will no doubt be a worthy offering in its class.
On the bright side, the Q50 doesn't have the disposition to urge you to drive hard every time. It's a car you'd want to be seen driving around in a gentlemanly manner.
Conclusion
Like the girl with the exaggerated diamond ring (yes, yes, I'm still at the ring), the Q50's blend of brawn and beauty make it a fresh alternative to other cars in its segment. It may be too loud (or even too shiny) for some to take the plunge but it'll definitely impress casual observers.
At the price of $218,800 (as of 3rd September 2014), the Infiniti Q50's comfortable cabin, healthy dose of power and polished road manners will no doubt be a worthy offering in its class.
