Infiniti Q50 2.0t Sport

10.9.14, Berkshire Infiniti’s BMW 3-series rival gets a 208bhp turbocharged petrol engine option

JOINING THE EXISTING £28,000 plus 2.2-litre diesel and £40,000 plus Performance hybrid, this is the new auto-only, 208bhp 2.0 turbo petrol version of Infiniti’s compact saloon. It continues the brand’s assault on the fruitful prestige segment by slotting in alongside the usual German stalwarts.

Unlike the diesel, there’s no entry-level SE spec only £31,775 Premium and, tested here, £34,125 Sport. That makes it £145 cheaper than equivalent diesel Q50s and pits the Sport against the £195 more expensive, 242bhp BMW 328i M Sport auto and the £2280 cheaper, 181bhp Mercedes C200 AMG Line auto with which it shares its new engine and seven-speed gearbox.

While the Q50 is closer in size to a C-class, its aged Nissan FM platform means kerb weight falls uneasily into E-class territory. A 227kg penalty over the C200 means both cars hit 62mph in just over seven seconds, despite the Infiniti’s sportier tune.

Despite its payload, the new single turbo, aluminium-intensive engine impresses. The merest hint of lag is swept aside by strong, linear power between 2000rpm and the 6500rpm red line. As revs rise, the engine note falls on the right side of the racy-versus-boomy divide. At 4000rpm in fourth at 70mph, the engine is hushed; in fifth or above, it is silent.

The transmission is breezy rather than bellicose, even in Sport mode; neither the reaction to clicks on the positive-feeling magnesium paddles nor the shifts Themselves are rapid, but slickness is the upside.

The Q50 Sport can only be had with Infiniti’s steer-by-wire system, paired with a switchable lane assist function. The steering itself adjustable for both weight and speed is best in the middle of three settings. Its silkiness cossets, but feel is minimal and it can surprise you by defaulting into stark lightness at lower speeds. Keen drivers would almost certainly prefer the standard electric rack and pinion set-up.

Dual-piston shocks help produce a ride that’s generally forgiving, yet body control is tidy. Twisting country roads can be conquered with both pace and comfort, but the 3-series’ sports car-like dialogue transpires from neither seat nor tiller.

As always, the interior is neatly trimmed, well equipped and ergonomically sound, if short on style. Space is good, though rear headroom is borderline for six-footers. Standard kit is generally better than in the M Sport but not the AMG Line, but one big differentiator is that you must spend £2760 on a multimedia pack to get sat-nav in the Q50 Sport; it’s standard on the Merc and £1300 on the BMW.

Cheaper Premium spec is more agreeable, but the equivalent C200 and 328i still win for luxury and dynamics respectively. That said, an impressive new engine makes this the most attractive mainstream Q50.

FIRST VERDICT

SO GOOD

Tractable, refined engine.
Comfortable ride.
Cabin ergonomics.

NO GOOD

Needlessly elaborate steering set-up.
Conservative cabin design.
Spec peculiarities.

INFINITI Q50 2.0T SPORT

Price  £34,125
0-62mph  7.2sec
Top speed  152mph
Economy  43.5mpg (combined)
CO2 151g/km
Kerb weight  1692kg
Engine  4 cyls, 1991cc, turbo, petrol
Power  208bhp at 5500rpm
Torque  258lb ft at 1250-3500rpm
Gearbox  7-spd automatic