2018 Infiniti Q50 in Durham, NC - $17,488

The rear-wheel drive INFINITI Q50 sedan receives a significantly refreshed exterior and interior appearance for the 2018 model year. As in previous years, Q50 continues to offer innovative technologies designed to empower and support the driver. The 2018 INFINITI Q50 is offered in a full range of trim levels including: 2.0t PURE and 2.0t LUXE; Hybrid LUXE; 3.0t LUXE, 3.0t SPORT and RED SPORT 400. Option package content and naming has also been upgraded for 2018 and one new exterior color, Mocha Almond, has been added to the color palette.

With the new 2018 Q50, INFINITI designers seized the opportunity to tailor different designs according to the attributes and character of the models within the range – coinciding with the introduction of a new grade structure – PURE, LUXE, SPORT and RED SPORT 400. Each of the four model grades now offers more of their own look and character. The 3.0t SPORT grade adds performance-focused exterior design, while further enhancements and the most powerful engine appear exclusively in the RED SPORT 400, which lets drivers express themselves with a more assertive design that clearly conveys the car's performance potential.

Power is generated by a choice of four advanced INFINITI powerplants. Leading the quartet of powerful options is the exclusive "VQ-series" 3.0L V6 twin-turbo engine, available in two states of tune – 400 horsepower or 300 horsepower. A turbo speed sensor on the 400 horsepower version allows for up to 30 percent more power output. Boost pressure is 14.7 psi, versus 9.5 psi for the 300-horsepower version. Next in line is a 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged motor, rated at 208 horsepower. The fourth available Q50 powerplant is INFINITI's advanced gasoline-electric hybrid, which features the Direct Response Hybrid® system with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control. It combines a 3.5L 24-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy V6 and a compact laminated lithium-ion battery with an innovative one-motor, two-clutch control. The system's V6 is rated at 302 horsepower, while the advanced 50 kW electric motor is rated at 67 horsepower. The hybrid system's net power is 360 horsepower, providing strong acceleration and lean fuel economy.

All 2018 Q50 powertrains are matched to an advanced seven-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The gearbox features logic and hardware designed to handle the power output of the VQ-series engines. Dual transmission coolers are utilized to better diffuse heat. In addition, the Q50's Adaptive Shift Control enhances gear selection by using a lateral acceleration sensor to detect changes in the road, such as hills and turns. Sport Mode allows the driver to select a more aggressive shift pattern with automatic up- and down-shifting at higher rpm. The Sport Mode allows a more aggressive shift pattern and higher rpm downshifting. Manual Mode is also standard, allowing any driver to enjoy quick, smooth shifts and gear choices that are appropriate to both the road and the desired driving style. The automaker’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is optional.

Inside the passenger cabin, INFINITI has introduced an enhanced level of artistry and quality to the high-tech cabin, providing a comfortable and connected space. Furthermore, the creation of the new grade structure has enabled INFINITI designers to differentiate each model with its own unique interior character. In particular, leather-like materials now surround the instrument panel and are now finished with double stitching, while INFINITI designers have curated and crafted wood trims for the dashboard.

The Q50's instrument panel honors INFINITI's "double wave" design tradition, while updated with an asymmetrical flow from the top of the center cluster to the wide center console. Access to all key operations and controls is designed so that the driver does not need to change driving posture, including use of hard switches, touch panels, INFINITI Controller and INFINITI Drive Mode Selector.

The interior also features INFINITI's hallmark spinal support seats – carefully engineered to provide a consistent level of support and minimize pressure on lower and upper back muscles. Both the front and rear seats help distribute body pressure across a wider range of the upper seating surface. The roomy interior space offers ample front and rear headroom, ample rear knee room enhanced by the thin front seatback design, and greater front seat slide and lift adjustability.

Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 112.2; overall length: 189.6; width: 71.8; height: 57.2
All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder turbo – 208 hp at 5500 rpm and 258 lb-ft at 1500-3500 rpm; 3.0L V6 turbo – 300 hp at 6400 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 1600-5200 rpm; 3.0L V6 high-output turbo – 400 hp at 6400 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 1600-5200 rpm; Hybrid – 3.5L V6 (gasoline) – 302 hp at 6800 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm, advanced electric motor – 67 hp at 1650-2000 rpm and 214 lb-ft of torque at 1650 rpm, and lithium-ion battery pack – 1.4 kWh at 346 V.
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 2.0L four-cylinder turbo – 23 city/30 hwy. (RWD), 22 city/28 hwy. (AWD); 3.0L V6 turbo – 20 city/29 hwy. (RWD), 19 city/27 hwy. (AWD); 3.0L V6 high-output turbo – 20 city/26 hwy. (RWD), 19 city/26 hwy. (AWD); hybrid – 27 city/32 hwy. (RWD), 26 city/30 hwy. (AWD).
Cargo capacity: 13.2 cubic feet (2.0L); 13.5 cubic feet (3.0L V6); 9.4 cubic feet (hybrid)

Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side-impact airbags, dual roof-mounted front/rear curtain side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, brake assist with preview braking function, electronic brake force distribution, vehicle dynamic control, traction control, active trace control, hill start assist, automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, front LED fog lights, rain-sensing/speed-sensing windshield wipers, RearView monitor, Bluetooth hands free phone system, INFINITI intelligent key system, vehicle security system, engine immobilizer, remote keyless entry, and tire pressure monitoring system. 2.0t LUXE adds HomeLink universal transceiver. Red Sport 400 adds AroundView monitor with moving object detection, blind spot warning, blind spot intervention, forward collision warning, predictive forward collision warning, rear sonar system, and forward emergency braking. Hybrid LUXE adds adaptive front lighting with high beam assist, full range intelligent cruise control, brake-operated pre-crash seat belts, backup collision intervention with rear cross traffic alert, distance control assist, and lane departure warning with active lane control.

Optional safety equipment includes front/rear parking sensors, navigation system, and active pedal.

Warranty
Basic: 4-year/60,000 mile
Powertrain: 6-year/70,000 mile
Corrosion: 7-year/unlimited
Roadside Assistance: 4-year/unlimited

Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2018 Infiniti Q50 sedan starts from $34,200 for the 2.0t PURE upto $53,000 for the RED SPORT 400 AWD. Destination charges add $995.