LOOKING every bit the sporty coupe, the 2019 INFINITI Q60 RedSport might just be the surprise packet of the year. A rare sight on Australian roads, we weren’t really sure what to expect from the up market brand, but we weren’t disappointed, at all.
Riding on 20-inch rims that sit very nicely under the wheel arches, this car means business. From its sleek lines and stylish curves, it has a stance that gives it genuine street presence that will turn more than a few heads.
The doors are pillar-less too, and who doesn’t love a pillar-less door, right? Something about them makes it just feel extra special and sporty. Inside, you’ll find an attractive, practical interior, resplendent in red leather. Lots of red leather.
Jump in and you get a real feeling you’re driving a luxury sedan, and given luxury and performance sits at the heart of the Nissan-owned INFINITI brand, we reckon they’ve got this part spot on.
The seats are all-electric and easy to adjust, with power side bolsters on hand to keep you snug when you’re powering in and out of corners (but more on that later). The rest of the interior is finished off to a very high standard, as you would expect.
That red leather continues onto the door trims, joining some nice silver carbon detailing on the doors and centre console and parts of the dash. It’s here you’ll find the excellent infotainment system.
Well, mostly excellent. It’s missing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ho hum. The sound system is insanely good though. Some 13 speakers deliver the audio symphony, pumping your tunes through quality Bose equipment that’s crisp and clear, whatever the volume.
On the tech front, there’s SatNav, Bluetooth, dual zone climate control, seat heaters, an easy to use, and a multi-function steering wheel. The safety package includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and collision alerts.
The driving experience is awesome. If performance is something you’re searching for, then stop looking now. A total of five driver settings offer the perfect solution to meet your get up and go needs.
The default, as you might expect is Standard, which is pretty damn good. Everything is responsive and smooth. The steering is light and very direct. This actually took a little getting used to as it was so precise.
There’s Eco mode too, which pressurises the accelerator pedal to discourage you from burying your boot, and Snow mode, for well, snow. It dampens acceleration to make it less aggressive and much smoother. We’d like it to taking off in second gear.
On the other end of the scale is Sport and Sport+ modes. The former turns this sports coupe into a beast. Plant your foot and the rear wheel drive will step out on you if you drive a little too spiritedly.
The latter, well think of it as being similar to having control of Drogon, the lone surviving dragon from Game of Thrones. It turns the INFINITI Q60 RedSport into a fire-breathing beast that will eat anything else in its path.
It isn’t just a massive power boost either. There’s also a change in exhaust note, albeit still a little family friendly. It could have been much beefier in its aural assault. Aftermarket exhaust kit we here you say, and yes, we’d agree, wholeheartedly.
The 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 produces an impressive 298kW of power and 475Nm of torque. That power plant is mated to a 7-speed auto transmission. Good numbers in the bang for buck stakes, especially when you compare it to some of its European rivals.
The $80,600 price tag (plus on-roads) is easily doable for what the Q60 RedSport offers. It’s comfortable, quick, precise, effortless, and as a daily driver, exceptional. Superlatives aside, it’s a great sports coupe, with a massive 80-litre fuel tank.
There are some downsides though, and the rear seats are high on that list. There are only two in the back, and while the centre is split with cup holders and a place for your phone, there is literally no leg room or head room if you’re anything like normal height.
It’s a two seater sport coupe then. Not unlike a number of its rivals. Ride is stiff, which is great when you let it have its head on twisting winding roads, but may not feel magical in the inner city.
Fuel economy is surprisingly good for a performance car. INFINITI claims 8.9-litres/100km and we managed 12.0-litres/100km. Sure, there are performance cars on the market with lower numbers than that, but we felt the Q60 performed very well.
Our test vehicle came in Pure White, but you could also choose Midnight Black, Graphite Shadow, Majestic White, Iridium Blue, and Dynamic Sunstone Red. It comes with a 4-year 100,000km warranty.
The test vehicle supplied to us was provided by INFINITI Cars Australia. To find out more about the 2019 INFINITI Q60 RedSport, contact your local INFINITI dealer.
