Top 3 things you need to know about the Infiniti Q50
The introduction of Nissan’s premium marque Infiniti was a sad, but potentially predictable failure given the low sales volume secured by more established premium Japanese brands such as Lexus. Here are the top 3 things that you need to know about the Q50, a mid-size sedan from Infiniti.
First introduced to the local market mid-way through 2012, the Infiniti brand had great ambitions of securing a respectable amount of market share in the incredibly tough premium and premium performance segments locally. Unfortunately, poor sales lead to the brand leaving the country in 2017.
One of its more successful products locally was the Q50, a BMW 3 Series rival based on the Nissan FM platform that was competitively priced, well-specified and looked well poised to take the fight to the more established German rivals. Here are 3 things that you need to know about this product.
1.They are incredibly cheap
At the time of writing, there were twelve Q50 models listed for sale on AutoTrader, with pricing ranging from R190 000 to R270 000 for what are still relatively new vehicles that come with a raft of safety and luxury features. The depreciation of these products may not have been ideal for the first owners, however, as a used proposition, the Q50 now offers fantastic value for those in the market for a compact executive saloon. Since Infiniti is owned by Nissan, servicing of these products should be relatively easy, with many Nissan dealers offering support.
2.Mercedes-Benz and Nissan engines
The Q50 lineup features three engine options, the 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated VQ35HR V6 engine from Nissan which is paired with a 50kW electric motor, meaning a combined output of 263kW and 546Nm of torque. The second engine option was the Mercedes-Benz-sourced OM651 turbodiesel which displaces 2.1-litres and produces 124kW and 400Nm of torque while sipping diesel at a claimed rate of 4.9L/100km. The most recent engine introduction is also from the Mercedes-Benz portfolio, the M274 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol that produces 155kW and 350Nm of torque.
3.Trailblazing tech
While many of the Infiniti products are now considered aged, models like the Q50 featured some impressive features for 2014 such as the steer by wire system with lane keep assist, which means the steering was entirely electronically controlled. It turned out to be an abject failure as it felt too artificial but is memorable as one of the first products to offer the system. The product also came with optional packs that included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, forward emergency braking and collision warning and reverse collision intervention. The Q50 was also one of the first cars to come with two touch screens, which the brand claims was to allow the user to change and customise almost every conceivable vehicle setting.
