Infiniti shrinks Q50 and Q60 ranges

BY TUNG NGUYEN | 1st Aug 2018

INFINITI Cars Australia has consolidated its Q50 mid-size sedan and mechanically related Q60 coupe ranges, adding a new turbocharged 3.0-litre version to the former, dropping prices across most variants and renaming model grades.

The cheapest Q50 premium sedan still kicks off at $54,900 before on-roads for the Daimler-sourced 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol version – now named 2.0T Pure instead of 2.0t GT, while the base 2.0t Sport Premium grade is discontinued.

Sending drive to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission, the 2.0T Pure can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds, while standard specification includes Direct Adaptive Steering, surround-view monitor, active lane control and LED headlights.

With the deletion of the 2.0t Sport Premium, Infiniti has introduced a new 3.0T Pure variant priced at $58,900 that is powered by a 224kW/400Nm twin-turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine and shares the same equipment as its cheaper sibling.

Buyers of either Pure grade can option a sunroof for $1900.

The mid-spec 3.0t Sport Premium is now called 3.0T Sport, which is $5500 cheaper than before at $64,900, and shares the same boosted 3.0-litre six-cylinder powertrain as the 3.0T Pure.

Lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, blind-spot intervention and autonomous emergency braking are also added as standard to the Sport grade.

Last year’s rear-drive 3.5t Hybrid Sport Premium is simplified to the HEV 2WD Blue Sport, cutting $2500 from its price to $70,900, while the all-paw mild hybrid has been deleted.

Electrified versions are powered by a 3.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor for a total system output of 268kW/546Nm for a 0-100km/h dash in 5.1s.

Topping out the Q50 range is the 3.0T Red Sport, which retains the same name as before but receives a $5000 reduction in price to $74,900.

As the flagship, the Red Sport is powered by the same twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 as some of its lower-grade siblings, but outputs have been lifted to 298kW/475Nm.

Equipment levels also get a bump thanks to upgrades to the active safety systems.

Meanwhile, the Q60 range has been trimmed for four variants to two – the 2.0T Pure and 3.0T Red Sport.

The mid-size coupe range kicks off $1000 more expensive than before at $63,900 for the 2.0T Pure, but the flagship 3.0T Red Sport receives a $4000 price cut to $84,900.

Equipment and powertrains mirror the four-door siblings, but Q60 3.0T Red Sport grade also gains new-look 20-inch wheels.

Infiniti Cars Australia managing director Guy Street said the nomenclature update keeps the Q50 and Q60 in line with global standards.

“Globally, Infiniti changed its grade names last year, so we’ve taken the opportunity to align with these at a local level for two of our most popular nameplates,” he said.

“With customers our main priority, by simplifying the range it will make it easier for them to understand the grade walk.

“We’ve also been able to reposition our pricing making the value equation – given the abundance of standard equipment we offer on our vehicles – very enticing for premium car buyers.”

In the first half of 2018, Infiniti has sold just 78 and 41 examples of the Q50 and Q60 respectively, a drop of 22.8 per cent in the former, but an increase of 2.5 per cent in the latter year-on-year.

2018 Infiniti Q50 pricing*