Q50S delivers premium motoring
WORLD of Wheels got to drive the new Infiniti Q50S Hybrid (fitted with a silent electric motor) recently and came away very impressed. Infiniti is one of the relatively new brands in South Africa.
Not having driven the Q50S before, we had no idea what to expect.
Visually, the luxury vehicle is very pleasing to the eye and stands out from the herd because of its "newness" in the South African market.
The Sport Hybrid has an aggressive look with distinctive LED headlights, LED day-time running lights and 18-inch triple-spoke lightweight alloy wheels, also with run-flat tyres which, readers of this column will know, we don't approve of. There is nothing like the confidence of having a full-sized spare wheel tucked away in the boot.
The vehicle, available in either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive options, also receives a world first for a production car, with the inclusion of Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) – "steer-by-wire" technology that has only previously been seen on the latest jet aircraft.
DAS provides the driver with the ability to adjust both the steering's response and weight to suit personal preferences and type of driving.
Integral with DAS is the equally innovative Active Lane Control, which reduces the amount of driver adjustments needed to stay in the chosen lane on motorways.
The performance Hybrid Q50 is fitted with a petrol 3.5-litre V6 engine capable of delivering 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.1 seconds. Sports suspension, regenerative braking and sports brakes are all standard.
To warn pedestrians when the car is moving at slow speeds while in full electric mode, an external noise system is fitted.
Inside, the sporty Kacchu aluminium trim is either in graphite or stone-coloured leather.
The front power-operated seats incorporate a more sporty design with a firmer hold and a memory function. The driver's seat also benefits from additional and powered lumbar support. The perfect driving position is also made easier with the inclusion of power-adjusted reach and rake for the steering column.
The dashboard features Infiniti's all-new "InTouch" system with its dual LCD VGA touch screens, along with a fully customisable digital environment.
Audio is provided by a six-speaker system, featuring a CD player, Bluetooth streaming, USB/iPod connectivity and voice-operated control. For the more musical perfectionist, an advanced Bose system can be chosen from one of the many available options.
The ideal temperature inside is carefully maintained by a dual-zone adaptive climate control system, which features auto recirculation for when the outside air may not be quite so clean and a grape polyphenol filter to purify the air that does get through.
The Q50S Hybrid – priced from R559000 – is a welcome model to the South African scene and, while not selling in great numbers, is a car which sets new benchmarks in the motor industry. - Bobby Cheetham
