Just when you thought that Infiniti cars were out of your budget range, lo and behold, Infiniti today welcomed the arrival of the new and more affordable Q50 sports sedan at the newly relocated Infiniti Centre Kuala Lumpur situated at The Icon, Jalan Tun Razak.
At launch, the Q50 is offered in two choice of powertrains. One is the highly efficient 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbo engine that delivers 211hp of power and 350Nm of torque. This allows the Q50 2.0 GT to sprint from 0 – 100km/h in 7.2 seconds, while sipping just 1 litre of fuel per 13.6 km.
The other is the 3.5-litre V6 in Q50S Hybrid. It produces an impressive 364hp and 546Nm of torque by combining the performance of a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a compact 67hp power electric motor partnered to a lithium-ion battery. The combined system responds with thrilling immediacy hitting 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds, while it achieves surprisingly frugal fuel economy of 16.1 km per litre. Both powertrains are mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC).
Steering is provided by a power-assisted vehicle-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion system. However, the new Q50 also features an available Direct Adaptive Steering technology, which according to Infiniti, is a world-first for a production vehicle. The system allows independent control of the car’s tyre angle and steering input, with the company claiming that it transmits the driver’s actions faster than a traditional mechanical system. It offers four settings, allowing the driver to change steering effort and gear ratio, while a backup mechanical steering system is provided with models utilizing the new Direct Adaptive Steering technology.
Another world first in its class is the Active Lane Control, which improves on the Lane Departure Prevention system by not only reading the road ahead through a camera located above the rear-view mirror, but also making slight steering input adjustments in case of direction changes due to road imperfections or crosswinds.
Over on the inside, the intuitive double touch-screen Infiniti In-touch system located on the centre console controls the audio, climate control, communication and vehicle settings. A new Bose 14-speaker Studio on Wheels premium audio system, plus other on-board extras like the Infiniti Drive Mode Selector which allows customization of engine and transmission mapping as well as steering effort and response and Around View Monitor (four camera technology) all ensure the Infiniti Q50 can meet or exceed the needs of discerning Malaysian premium customers.
The Q50 is available in three trim/grade variants; the Q50 2.0T GT, Q50 2.0T GT Premium and Q50S 3.5 Hybrid. The basic Q50 2.0T GT comes generously equipped with 17-inch twin five-spoke aluminium-alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, LED headlights with integrated Daytime Running Lights, rear view monitor with front and rear sonar system, leather-appointed seating with power front seats and memory function as well as Intelligent Key (I-Key) with touch unlock access and enhanced memory.
Meanwhile, the Q50 2.0T GT Premium features an 18-inch split 7-spoke aluminium-alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, direct-Adaptive Steering (DAS) with Active Lane Control, Bose 14-speaker premium audio system, Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) and Forward Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) and Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) as well as around View Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection.
Last but not least, the top of the range Q50S 3.5 Hybrid comes fully equipped with 19-inch triple 5-spoke aluminium-alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, sport-tuned suspension and braking system, solid magnesium steering wheel shift paddles, front sport bumper, power sport seat, aluminium accented pedals and foot rest as well as power sliding tinted glass sunroof.
Finishing the look of the Q50 are 7 exterior colours to choose from – Moonlight White, Liquid Platinum, Hagane Blue, Graphite Shadow, Chestnut Bronze, Venetian Ruby and Malbec Black. All come with Scratch Shield self-healing paint.
Fully imported from Japan, the on-the-road retail price without insurance for the Q50 are:
Q502.0T GT ：RM248,800
Q502.0T GT Premium ：RM278,800
Q50S 3.5 Hybrid ：RM398,800
