2016 Infiniti Q60
For
the 2016 model year, Infiniti has just unveiled a wrath of updates for the Q50
sports sedan. The car is now available with a brand new 3.0-litre
twin-turbocharged V6 engine, joining a couple of other refreshed turbo engines
alongside further mechanical improvements.
The
new twin-turbo V6 tops out the Infiniti Q50 range of engines and has been
designed to perfectly combine both impressive power and torque with excellent
fuel economy. When spinning at 6400 rpm, the powerplant churns out 400 hp with
350 lb-ft of torque being on tap between 1600 and 5200 rpm. Infiniti claims to have the best power-to-efficiency ratio in its
class.
One
of the crucial elements of the new twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 is its
implementation of a bespoke turbine speed sensor and overhauled turbine blade
design. This allows for a 10 per cent increase in turbine speeds, with it now
capable of spinning at a crazy 220,000 rpm. To ensure optimal throttle
response, Infiniti has also focused heavily on maximising the valve timing
thanks to the utilisation of a small electric motor mounted to the valve timing
system.
Interestingly,
this engine is also available in a detuned variant where it produces 300 hp at
6400 rpm and 295 lb-ft between 1600 and 5200 rpm. Elsewhere in the range, the
2016 Infiniti Q50 is available with a 2.0-lite turbocharged four-cylinder with
208 hp and 258 lb-ft on tap while an entry-level 2.2-litre diesel is also
offered with 168 hp and 295 lb-ft.
Beyond
the new 3.0-litre V6, the hybrid powertrain is certainly the most impressive.
It combines a 3.5-litre aluminium V6 with an electric motor and lithium-ion
battery making for a total of 360 hp and 457 lb-ft. Two very impressive figures
indeed.
Beyond
the inclusion of a number of different engines, the 2016 Infiniti Q50 also
debuts with the automaker's second-generation Direct Adaptive Steering system.
It has been joined with Infiniti's Dynamic Digital Suspension which offers a
selection of different driving modes including a 'Personal' option, which
allows the driver to tweak the steering, engine and suspension characteristics
to their tastes. Other options include Standard, Snow, Eco, Sport and for the
first time, Sport+.
Sales
of the 2016 Infiniti Q50 will commence next year following its reveal at next
month's Detroit Auto Show.