Infiniti, Nissan’s premium brand, has launched an upgraded version of its Q50 sports sedan. It will reach South Africa next year.

Now in its third year, the Q50’s popularity is still growing, according to Infiniti. This, combined with the fact that the upmarket sports sedan still looks remarkably fresh, means that design changes appear to be negligible.

Instead, Infiniti has focused on performance and dynamic upgrades, including new-generation ride and handling technologies and all-new turbocharged V6 engines.

Improved adaptive steering

The Q50’s advanced Direct Adaptive Steering system has often been criticised, so it'sperhaps unsurprising to find that improvement of this technology was a priority for the upgrade. Making its debut on the revised Q50 is a second-generation system that Infiniti says is comprehensively modified to offer more steering feel and feedback – to make it “feel” more like a conventional system.

The new Direct Adaptive Steering system work with Active Lane Control to automatically maintain the car’s lane positioning, especially when battling crosswinds or uneven road surfaces. Infiniti sees this system and its integration as a precursor to future autonomous driving tech.

Multi-adjustable suspension

The Q50 also boasts Infiniti’s Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS) for the first time. Also offered for the Q50’s Drive Mode Selector (DMS) is a “Personal” mode, that allows the driver to set his/her own settings for the engine, suspension and steering. For the first time there will be six driving modes on offer, including Sport+.

When operating in the background, the DDS monitors body roll, pitch and bounce rates and adjust suspension settings automatically to ensure ultimate composure and comfort.

Even the basic suspension has been fettled, with revised front and rear stabiliser bars fitted.

Beefy new V6s

In Europe and elsewhere, Infiniti is offering the Q50 with a range of five powertrain offerings which now, for the first time, includes the advanced new VR30 twin-turbo 3,0-litre V6 engine that is offered in two states of tune. The high-power variant delivers 298kW and 475Nm of torque, while the lower-output version still punches out a solid 224kW and 400Nm of torque.

These new engines, like the others in the line-up, are mated with Infiniti’s seven-speed automatic transmission that can be manually accessed via smart magnesium shifters located behind the steering wheel.

More features and options

Also added to the mix for this 2016 upgrade is a new Premium Plus package, available on all models, that includesfeatures such as; auto dimming exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable steering wheel with memory and easy entry functions, Infiniti InTouch with navigation, voice recognition, 60/40 split rear seat, heated steering wheel and much more.

The Technology package has been revised to include features like; auto-levelling adaptive front lights, high beam assist, intelligent cruise control, distance control assist, advanced climate control, blind-spot intervention, active lane control and more..

A new Driver Assistance Package includes; Forward Emergency Braking; Blind-Spot Warning; Back Collision Intervention with Cross Traffic Alert; Predictive Forward Collision Warning; and Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection.

The Infiniti Q50 is a highly regarded vehicle by Cars.co.za, achieving semi-finalist status in the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards Business Class Category.