Infiniti Just Killed off the Q60 Sports Coupe – Here’s Why
The Q60 is Infiniti’s coupe version of the Q50 sedan. It debuted as a 2017 model and offered striking exterior looks but a dated cabin. In its 2021 review, Car and Driver found it unexciting, saying the Q60 “isn’t a great sports coupe. The great ones offer more engaging handling, better and more responsive steering, and even a manual gearbox.” That might be why the Q60 coupe is now dead.
Will there be a 2023 Infiniti Q60 Sports Coupe?
The current Infiniti Q60 rides on the Nissan’s FM platform, which dates back to the original Infiniti G35. The car itself comes across as an updated Infiniti G37, which was an updated G35. In that context, the build is going on 21 years old and is well past its sell-by date. According to Car Figures, in 2021, Infiniti sold less than 3,000 Q60s and decided to pull the plug after the 2022 model year. The company recently told Car and Driver that the decision is due to consumer demand which has shifted toward purchasing larger crossovers and SUVs, and the upcoming launch of their new electric vehicles.
There will not be a 2023 Infiniti Q60 sports coupe. However, the company expects there will be plenty of leftover 2022 Q60s for sale in 2023.
Next year, the Q50 sedan will become the lone car in Infiniti’s lineup and remain in production for the near term. The company has not announced plans to kill off that car yet but has turned its focus to crossovers and SUVs. According to MotorTrend, the company is also readying a car-like EV to challenge the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.
2022 Infiniti Q60 highlights
Launched in 2017, the Infiniti Q60 was always more of a luxury coupe than a true sports car. It offers attractive exterior styling but with a cramped, dated interior. In its 2021 review, Car and Driver said it “lacked the joy and composure of competitors like the Audi S5.”
The lone bright spot is the Q60 Red Sport 400. The 400 stands for the engine’s output, which is 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6. This engine is a jewel. It recalls the twin-turbo V6 of the Nissan 300ZX, serving up buttery smooth power with a pleasing snarl. It’s no wonder Nissan chose to fit this engine in its new Z car.
Equipped with that engine and all-wheel drive, the Red Sport 400 posts 4.4-second 0 to 60 mph runs, reaching the quarter-mile in 12.8 seconds at 111 mph. The top speed is an honest 150 mph. It’s legitimately fast, and the seven-speed automatic gearbox executes crisp shifts, but unlike Infinitis in the past, there is no manual transmission option.
Infiniti Q60 alternatives
The sports coupe market segment has slowly died out over the past decade, but there are still plenty of alternatives to the Infiniti Q60. The Lexus RC350 F Sport is its closest competitor, and while it lacks the Q60’s straight-line performance, it costs considerably less than the Q60’s almost $60,000 base price tag. Upgrading to the Lexus RC-F gets you in range. It costs about $1,300 more than the Infiniti but offers a 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine and slightly better performance.
Other competitors in the coupe market include the German stalwarts of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG. The BMW M4401i xDrive and Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic coupe are more refined and engaging to drive. However, the Audi S5 is on a whole other level. The S5 offers similar performance at a similar price point to the Infiniti but is more fun to drive. It also provides interior and exterior styling that is more modern and elegant than the Infiniti.
On the domestic front, the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang offer better performance for significantly less money. For instance, $50,000 spent at a Ford or Chevy dealership will get you a fairly loaded V8 sports coupe with more personality and easier handling.
The fate and future of the Q60
It’s not that the Infiniti Q60 is a bad car; it’s just very outdated. It’s an athlete that’s lost a step but soldiers on, hoping for one more title. In its various guises, the Infiniti coupe had a good run. However, all runs come to an end which is why Infiniti just made a press announcement that the Q60 is finally hanging it up.
