Three years have passed since the Infiniti Q50 was launched and in 2016 it was refreshed. They could have produced the new generation of the Q50 model, but instead of that, the company has prepared another mild upgrade. The 2018 Infiniti Q50 will come with redesigned exterior, slightly different look inside the cabin and several new driver assistance features.
The Infiniti President Roland Krueger declared: “Infiniti seeks to empower our customers on their journey through their experience with us – whether it is our products, our technologies, our services, or simply a passion for driving. There is no better vehicle that incorporates all the elements of the Infiniti brand than the Q50 saloon.” After the official debut at the 2017 Geneva Auto Show, there is a lot to be said about the new model, so let’s begin.
Exterior
Considering that the 2018 model is facelifted, there are only some minor changes to the exterior. Before we see what is new, we need to mention that the hood and headlights are carried over from the ongoing model. However, Infiniti decided to produce a new front grille but despite that, spotting the difference between the new and the old can be difficult. The current car’s grille surround has a more rounded point while the surround of the grille on the new model has a sharp inward point.
Also, the air dam is slightly larger on the 2018 Q50 and the bottom of the air dam has become a part of the fascia instead of being a part of the front lip itself. It continues to wrap around to the inside of the corner recesses and it becomes a prominent body line that goes upwards dividing the grille surround from the headlights. The corner recesses are also changed and they now sit deeper in the fascia and their look is much cleaner than before. Although they have the same mesh as the air dam, there is a small circular fog light located in the middle of it, whereas the horizontal running lights remain the same but their angle has changed slightly.
On the sides, the window trim is now finished in gloss black in order to match the finish on the side view mirrors, but that is about it. The back also remains the same with the taillights slightly updated and the odd chrome trim below the license plate has been ditched. In addition, the Infiniti Q50 will no longer sport the small reflectors in the rear corners, whereas the rear insert around the exhaust pipes in painted in black.
2018 Q50 Interior
Infiniti said that the new 2018 Q50 has an “enhanced level of artistry and quality to the high-tech cabin.” Just like the exterior, the cabin of the new refreshed model will remain more or less identical to the interior of the current car. Things like instrument cluster, center console, infotainment monitors and trim panels are exactly the same, but the carmaker added new materials to lighten up the cabin. According to the Nissan’s offshoot, the better materials are used for the 2018 model which comes with “leather-like” cloth on the dash that is double stitched.
Furthermore, Infiniti installed a new performance-oriented shift knob with a leather boot around which is chrome trim. What is new is a steering wheel which is similar to the one Infiniti Q60 sports coupe features, whereas the aluminum pedals are carried over. The central airbag is smaller, while spoke that matches the aluminum trim on the center console and the doors is slightly bigger. Additional buttons have been installed in the side spokes that has slimmed down a bit, whereas the Red Sport 400 versions come with red stitching throughout the interior.
The infotainment system that is used is known as InTouch and it consists of the eight-inch screen up top and one seven-inch screen underneath it. The former one is a basic LCD/VGA display and here you can see stuff like most accessed apps or the navigation system, whereas the latter is a touch display unit that secures easy access to the rest of the system. You can customize things in the cabin according to your own liking and if there are several drivers, you can store a profile for each of them. Because of an easy entry and exit system, the seat and the steering wheel can be moved automatically so that it would be easier for the passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. A 16-speaker Bose sound system is used and it is equipped with a new architecture and high-performance part.
Engine and Performance
There are no changes under the hood of the 2018 Infiniti Q50 and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder has been carried over and it produces 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Also, a 2.2-liter diesel unit is available and this unit delivers 168 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. If you are not satisfied with these two engines, Infiniti offers a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 good for 300 ponies and 295 lb-ft of torque in 3.0t models, whereas the same engine is used in the Red Sport 400 versions where it produces 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid will also be on offer with the complete output of the system being 360 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Whichever engine you chose, it is connected to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
What is different is electronic and adaptive dampers that work together with the Direct Adaptive Steering System and drive model selection system are here to help the Dynamic Digital Suspension system. The front and rear stabilizer bars are improved and now offer a “flatter ride and greater agility.” Both RWD and AWD configurations are available.
Safety
We will let Roland Krueger, the President of Infiniti to speak instead of us. He stated: “Infiniti has introduced a number of world-first innovations through the Q50 in recent years. As Infiniti’s best-selling model, the Q50 has always embodied our commitment to make driver-empowering technologies accessible to a large number of customers. The new model will let customers benefit from the latest advances in active safety with our ProPILOT Assist driver support technologies.”
The ProPilot package comes with direct adaptive steering, active lane control, distance control assist, lane departure warning and prevention and forward emergency braking. Also included are predictive forward collision warning, intelligent cruise control, backup collision intervention and blind spot warning and intervention. The available driving modes are Personal, Standard, Snow, Eco, Sport and Sport+.
2018 Infiniti Q50 Price
The starting price of the 2.0t models is $33,950, whereas for the 2.0t Sport AWD you would have to pay $44,300. This model is followed by the Infinity Q50 3.0t which starts from $40,650 and it goes all the way to $46,650 for the 3.0t Sport AWD. The two-wheel drive Q50 Red Sport 400 costs $48,700 but if you want to install an AWD you would have to add $2,000 to that price. Speaking of hybrids, the 2WD model carries the price tag of $47,800 whereas the AWD hybrid costs $49,800.
