The Infiniti Q50 sedan comfortably competes with the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, and Lexus IS, to name a few. From a design standpoint, the new Infiniti Q50 sedan looks very similar to the first model introduced back in 2013. In fact, in all those years it has never underwent a full design overhaul. That’s not a bad thing, either: some vehicles have innately good styling that never seems to, well, go out of style. With that said, there have been a few minor changes and upgrades made over the years, such as LED lighting, an updated interior, and new engine options (including a hybrid).
High-Level Performance
Clearly, the most exciting package of the lineup is the Red Sport 400. It may come as no surprise that the Red Sport 400 comes with, you guessed it, 400-horsepower, it features the most powerful engine available in the Q50. Some consumers, however, are surprised to learn that Infiniti offers such a powerful sports sedan. It’s a remarkable engine, too: all of the power comes from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. It can produce 350 lb-ft of torque at just 1,600-5,200 rpm. With a twin-turbo system that can perform at up to 220,000 rpm, adding a stunning 14.7 pounds of boost, this engine is definitely worth considering.
All of these big numbers translate into a 0-60 time of just 4.5 seconds. That puts this vehicle squarely on par with the Audi S4, BMW 335i, and entry-level AMG C43 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Additionally, the Q50 is available in either AWD or RWD, a fun bonus if you live all year in a warm climate and want to break the backend loose all the time.
The Q50 Red Sport isn’t just a fancy name. Infiniti actually went the extra mile to make this a true sports sedan which can run with the best German competition on the market from a performance standpoint.
Aggressive Red Sport Styling
While the Q50 isn’t the most exciting sedan to look at in the segment, the Red Sport edition offers some much-needed enhancements which keep it looking aggressive and ready to race. The front includes an upgraded, more angular front bumper and wider, lower air intakes versus non-Sport models.
The rear of the vehicle places a strong focus on the twin exhausts and rear diffuser, with a two-tone paint finish with a dark metallic trim around the base of the rear bumper accompanying the base body color.
Additionally, the Red Sport models come equipped with unique 19-inch wheels, low profile tires, and red brake calipers, further accentuating its more aggressive stance while also improving handling and traction under cornering and hard acceleration.
Steering By Wire & Dynamic Digital Suspension
Infiniti was one of the first brands to launch steering by wire many years ago. Unfortunately, it still isn’t perfect, but positive changes have been made over the years, and it is closer now than ever before. The system now offers even more options to personalize the steering system’s levels of response and feel, but it still falls short of feeling real.
On the flip side, the dynamic digital suspension used by Infiniti is very good, and allows for greater road control and a reduction in body roll. The system constantly adjusts the shock absorbers within a wide range of damping force to control body motion when cornering. It also monitors body roll, pitch, and bounce rate to restrain body motion for a comfortable, confident, and insulated ride in all conditions. Those pesky bumps and undulating road conditions are all absorbed to maintain flat body posture throughout the ride. Having driven the Q50 on mountain roads in northern California, I can assure you that the dynamic digital suspension is not a marketing gimmick. It really works, and well.
Final Thoughts
The 2019 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport is no joke. With a powerful, responsive 400 horsepower twin-turbo V-6 engine, aggressive styling, and excellent road manners, it should be on your list of sporty luxury sedans to check out. What it does lack in interior styling and quality, it makes up for in performance on the road.
