It's been 8 years already since Infiniti joined the European market.
Think of models like the G37 and the FX.
Two cars which had a positive reception. Nice cars to drive, something else than usual.
Also, they were positioned in a segment where they looked appealing. The truth was a whole other story though.
The cars weren't as good as anticipated, the engines were too big.
Only big, petrol V6's or bigger, and in the Netherlands you obviously need diesels and other entry level engines.
Now, we're getting new generations of Infiniti. The brand decided to change all model names,
I wouldn't say it was a smart move, it isn't a widely known brand.
Right, the successor of the Infiniti G37 is called Q50, but the coupé-version of the G37 is appropriately named Q60,
and it will compete with the likes of the Audi A5, BMW 4-series and the Mercedes-Benz C-class coupé.
Infiniti still is quite a rare brand in Europe, but that gives you an advantage: it will turn heads.
Especially this Q60 in it's coupé-form. If I look at the reactions, people seem to be positive about the exterior.
People who don't like the looks, do admit that it does stand out. Especially in this red color.
And that is something you look for when you're buying a coupé, I mean let's face it, you don't buy cars like this for it's practicality.
The most important new part is the engine, a brand new 2,0-litre turbo engine which produces 211 horsepower.
Exactly what Infiniti needed, because there already was a diesel entry model.
A 4-cylinder 2,0-litre diesel, borrowed from Mercedes, but no entry level petrol engine.
With this 2,0-litre turbo, the Q60 becomes a lot more accessible.
Before, we only had the big V6's.
Right, it's the coupé version of the Q50. I already knew the Q50, and my point is, I didn't really like that one.
I was quite negative, to be honest.
That's not because I don't like Infiniti or because I'm a fan of the usual models, but because I liked the older Infiniti's better.
Cars like the G37, G37 coupé and convertible, but also the FX was really good.
There were many good things about those cars: new sort of styling, a proper suspension, nice steering and a very good drivetrain
with had an excellent automatic gearbox.
Then, the Q50 came, and I missed a lot of features the other cars had. They also didn't replace those features, and I think it's because of it's segment.
When Infiniti first introduced the G-models and the FX, they were in the premium segment, on the dynamic side to be exact.
Even more dynamic than BMW!
And that's where there is a blank space. BMW can't make their models too sporty, because otherwise they'll lose track of Audi and Mercedes.
BMW has always been positioned on the 'a little bit more dynamic' side of the spectrum.
So there's a gap between those and the more sporty cars, like Jaguar or Alfa Romeo with their Giulia.
And that's exactly where Infiniti wants to be. With those old G models and that FX, they actually did a good job.
A few years ago, that G37 was a more sporty car than the BMW 335i. It had a lot in common with the Nissan 370Z, also shared a lot of parts.
So it wasn't a very refined, quiet car, but a real drivers car. You really knew what you were getting for your money.
Then they came with the Q50 and Q60, and Infiniti said they were still in the dynamic corner of the spectrum,
only with more luxury and comfort. There's more ease now.
But then they're mixing some things which you can't really do.
If you want to drive dynamic, you'll find some things. For instance: the steering is drive-by-wire.
That's a typical Infiniti-gadget, they were the first with the Q50.
Infiniti themselves think it's a very good thing, because when you're cornering and you hit a pothole,
in a normal car your steering wheel would move about, but in here it would stay still.
So that gives you a sense of ease when you're driving along or even when you're driving a little bit quicker.
But if you go full dynamic, cornering the way you'd want to do in a dynamic car like a BMW or an Alfa Romeo Giulia or something,
the moment you hear those tyres scream on the edge of understeer, you don't feel a thing in this steering.
At that moment, I'd ask myself why they've done that. They exceed themselves when it comes to innovation.
And that's a shame, because the steering on Infiniti's has always been very good.
Sure, it's a selectable option, you can also get the Q60 without, the demo's always get it so I wouldn't know how it feels without that technology,
but when I look back to the previous models, I'd say 'rather not.' It just doesn't offer anything extra.
And that conclusion about the steering, is apparent in the whole car.
It absolutely has a very big ambition, Infiniti is technically very able, because mean Nissan does have some racing pedigree,
but it just comes together in a way which isn't cohesive at all.
The goes for the steering, automatic gearbox as well. It's supple and quiet but it just doesn't come together nicely.
Then, the ergonomics. We've got a screen here, and here as well.
Some of the things on that screen, you can do as well on this one, only that's touch and this isn't.
There's also a button here.
It's just a little bit messy. It's the same when you're looking at the interior finish.
The leather is beautiful, but the knobs are very cheap. Here, and here.
The gauges then, well, they could've been in a Nissan Pulsar.
It doesn't combine at all. There's a reason as well as to why Infiniti isn't doing very well.
That also has something to do with their name, of course it's hard to compete with the Big 3 from Germany, especially with their values.
Just try to get inbetween those Germans in lease companies.
But, there's an even bigger problem. Since Infiniti changed their model names, they still don't know where to place their cars.
And that's something you see, feel and experience in the end result.
It's not like it's all bad in the new Q60 though.
There are quite some innovations on board! It also looks a little bit different.
For example, you've got something like a safety bubble. That's something you can turn on.
That means even though when the automatic cruise control isn't engaged, I'm driving full throttle and I get to close to another car,
it will push my throttle back up, the first time you'll think you'll have to accelerate even more,
and then it'll start to brake by itself, even without automatic cruise control. Like a sort of ACC when you're driving yourself. That's interesting.
There's more. Infiniti has some quite advanced technology when it comes to autonomic driving.
They were one of the first, even before Tesla introduced autopilot.
You just engage 'active lane keeping', engage cruise control, then you can let go of your steering wheel.
It will keep going for quite some time, much longer than a Mercedes which'll beep after 30 seconds,
even though that isn't the fault of the technology, but still. It's messier than a Mercedes or a Tesla Model S though,
they keep their lane better. But this one can still keep it's lane.
And it can go for longer than any other car available as well.
The biggest advantage though is the full package. This version, with every single option there is: €56.000.
If you want a Audi A5 or a BMW 4-series with the same options, it'll cost you about €10.000 to €15.000 more.