Car of the week – July 2 – Infiniti Q70

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  • Smooth operator: Infiniti Q70.

    It’s probably fair to say that Infiniti hate convention.

    They are totally committed to head-turning innovation which is why their cars are distinctive and consistently push the envelope when it comes to aesthetics and auto technology.

    – Car of the week – June 4th – Ford Mustang V8 GT Fastback

    – Car of the week – May 28th – Mercedes GLA 250 4matic
    – Car of the Week: May 21st – BMW M4 Convertible

    Nissan’s luxury arm has a reputation for bold design, prestige, build quality and value for money and the new Q70 ticks every one of those boxes and a few more.

    Let’s start with the design because not everyone is entirely convinced by the Infiniti look. Their cars certainly stand out from the crowd but, for me, it’s never been a case of love at first sight.

    I have never looked at an Infiniti and immediately thought it had ‘wow’ factor, but that is not necessarily a bad thing because the fact that they are refreshingly different to other cars out there makes them incredibly interesting, and in their own way, hugely appealing.

    All of their cars including the QX80, the QX70, the Q50 and now the Q70 have the now signature curves and powerfully designed fronts and there is no question that their individual style has helped them become increasingly popular.

    The Q70, which carried an M badge before Infiniti’s rebranding exercise a couple of years ago,  has been given a substantial facelift and certainly stands out from the crowd with an air of sophistication. 

    Once again, it is the front of the car which is the most striking with sculptured bonnet, chrome surround mesh grille, stylish headlights and spots. 

    From the side it looks muscular, yet refined, and the rear with its twin exhausts completes an extremely classy, if unusual, 
    appearance. If you like the exterior you will be blown away by the interior which is exquisite, from the design to the materials used.  

    Until a few months ago I owned an Infiniti FX50S and although I loved that vehicle I thought the interior was looking a little tired in comparison to its German rivals.

    The Q70 has changed all that and is now more than a match for the Germans. Everything from the fabulously comfortable leather seats, wood and brushed metal trim,  and the stylish centre console is clearly the work of craftsmen whose priority is comfort, supreme quality, and attention to detail.

    The polished wood centre console is a work of art in itself rising up from the gear lever to a plateau  perfectly placed for the driver to reach the dial controller for the infotainment and other buttons that control the car’s systems.

    The instrument cluster is cutting edge without losing a classical feel which exudes throughout what is an extremely luxurious and spacious cabin. The audio system is first class and there are even speakers in the shoulders of the seats to add to the surround sound quality.

    So, you will certainly be sitting extremely comfortably does it deliver on performance? The car is available with two engines, a 3.7 litre V6 with 329bhp and 363nm of torque or, if you want some really serious action, the Sport edition comes with a stonking 5.6-litre V8 with 402bhp and 550nm or torque. 

    Obviously, that would be my choice, but the car I test drove, courtesy of Al Masaood Automobiles in Abu Dhabi, had the smaller                                           engine which is more than powerful enough for the majority of people.

    Push the ignition button and the engine sort of purrs into life without even a hint of drama and that is totally deliberate because the Q70 is all about being quietly confident.   

    It actually has something called Active Noise Control. A microphone in the roof identifies unwanted engine sounds and neutralizes them with sound waves of the opposite phase. Clever stuff.

    The engine puts the power down to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic which has a manual mode with sequential gearshifts. It has Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching which ensure smooth and efficient changes. A state-of-the-art chassis and suspension system means the handling is about as smooth as you can get, even at high speed. 

    This is one of those cars that makes you feel special. It delivers an extremely pleasant driving experience but, more than that, it is also a statement of a lifestyle that challenges the norm and sets new standards. And for that alone, this  is a truly extraordinary vehicle.

    Verdict

    Infiniti have become synonymous with quality and ground breaking designs, and the Q70 is yet another example of automotive excellence. The V6 offers stunning value but lacks the excitement of the V8. And while it nudges perfection on comfort the fact remains that in its determination to steer clear of normality its shape won’t please everyone. Otherwise, it’s a class act.

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