The mere fact that Game of Thrones actor Kit Harrington personally promoted the Infiniti Q60 since its launch, made the experience of driving the Japanese automaker’s luxurious sports coupe on the streets of Beirut, an out-of-this world one!
The looks
The Q60 is without a single doubt the most seductive car amongst Infiniti’s redesigned fleet (yes, I think it’s even hotter than the QX70). I would dare say it is my personal favorite Infiniti design in the last ten years, and a successful upgrade from the previous generation G37 Coupe. It is a luxurious sports car that looks expensive, as it should. It is a head-turner on the roads, and it even gets you the occasional high beam flicker from those who want to race you on the highway (dream on).
Read also: Kit Harington takes the New INFINITI Q60 for an empowered drive
While quite similar to the rest of its sisters, the Q60’s front grill looks a bit more aggressive, and is coupled with thin lights that lead into beautiful curves. The rear end terminates with a slope that reminded me of the Infiniti G35 Coupe, but it is also sleeker, and looks ready for a race. The 20-inch alloy wheels are sporty and give the car an edge on the road (yes, they will hypnotize you). The Q60’s curves are a welcome sight, one that you do not want to take your eyes from.
The car’s interior also brings it on. The seats are carefully designed with plenty of soft leather and distinctive stitching. The back is surprisingly comfy and spacious for a sports coupe, easily fitting an adult (although tall people would have their head touching the roof) and a children’s car seat. My favorite part of the interior design has to be the sporty handle and trim on the doors and center console. Although the latter reminded me of the Q50 with the two screens, it perfectly suits this sports coupe and truly makes you feel as if you are driving a super jet.
The performance
The Infiniti Q60’s performance is easily on par with the reputation given by its distinctive looks. For starters, Infiniti rimes with a strong engine sound and this sporty beauty does not disappoint. The 2.0-liter I4 turbocharged engine I drove more than delivers, especially when you flip the driving mode to Sports. The turbo spools quickly to produce 208 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and outputs a stirring 350 Nm of torque. A 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine putting out a proper 400 horsepower is also available in the Luxe and Red Sport version of the car.
Read also: Top 5: Our favorite Infiniti models in 2018
The Infiniti Q60 has what it takes to properly handle the speed and energy of such an engine. Indeed, the car behaved perfectly on tight corners and at high speeds, while the steering was intuitive for a sports car. The highlight of my driving experience in this sports coupe were the brakes, which are easy to modulate and provide enough stopping power to back up the strong engine’s push. The transmission was seamless in all driving modes and the driver seat was perfect for a comfortably safe general view of the road. Although I would have loved to experience the car with paddle shifters for a complete sporty feel, the gear nob looks aggressive and corresponds with the general mood of the car.
Of course, the Q60 is full of tech (again, it has two screens just like the Q50!); the model I drove was also equipped with a Bose performance series sound system. To top it all off, it has a very efficient rear-camera and sensor system, which allows you to easily navigate it and take good care of its beautiful looks when parking or driving in the narrow streets of the city.
The verdict
There is nothing to dislike about the Infiniti Q60, unless you hate sports cars. It looks good, it drives nicely and it is not overpriced compared to its rivals. I would just say that if you are planning to buy one, go for the high end version (Luxe or Red Sport) and ask for all the options to experience the real deal.
Read also: “Powerful Elegance” designed for some people – The all new INFINITI Q60 Coupe
To book your own test drive or to get a closer look at the car, visit Infiniti Lebanon’s website or pass by by RYMCO’s branches in Chiyah or Dbayeh.
