For the 2016 model year, Infiniti has just unveiled a wrath of updates for the Q50 sports sedan. Most notably, 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. With the new engine, Infiniti claims to have the best power-to-efficiency ratio in its class. With that being said, specific mpg figures haven’t been released.
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+.
Discussing the car, Infiniti vice president of product strategy Francois Bancon said “The new Infiniti Q50 takes the core elements that have driven its global appeal to date, and now we areoffering a number of new and stand-out technologies. With the upgraded Q50, we are furthering Infiniti’s position on innovation.”
Sales of the 2016 Infiniti Q50 will commence next year following its reveal at next month’s Detroit Auto Show.
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