The BMW and Lexus
returned identical
10.4L/100km test
consumption, while
the Infiniti Red Sport
imbibed 11.6 litres‘eco’ pedal, designed to push back against any throttle
travel that might quench its thirst with more juice than
needed. It would be like trying to cork the Snowy Hydro.
The upside to this is fearsome rolling performance,
shooting the Infiniti from 80km/h to 120km/h in 2.8
seconds. You still nervously engage full power, even
at speed, though. Max clog in the Lexus is a different
event. Its relatively puny torque figure is delivered so
high it never threatens the rear 265mm tyres once
you’re moving, but adds 1.2 seconds to the same 80-120
sprint. Meanwhile, the BMW can’t use its healthy weight
advantage to pip the more powerful Infiniti, its smaller
twin-scroll turbine simply no match for the gut-turning
acceleration offered by the Red Sport’s twin blowers.
On the opposite end of physics, and in complete
contrast to the Red Sport’s steering, are its brakes, which
are super strong and expose a lack of bite in the BMW’s
non-M spec anchors. Meanwhile, braking distances
show bigger front discs and higher friction pads in the
Lexus are no match for its tubby kerb weight.
And on the inside? The Infiniti revels in glamour.
Sparkling faux carbon-fibre runs down the centre stack
arches, touchpoints feature traces of aluminium, and
the seats are wrapped in semi-aniline leather. The thing’s
nicely designed if you ignore the fact two digital screens
are plonked on top of one another.
Scrounge around for pocket change and it’s not so
pretty up close. The ‘optic-fibre’ inlays on the stack aren’t
flush, and the floor-mat hooks are sharp enough for fish
bait. Despite being the second most expensive car here,
its dashboard is the only one daubed in plastic.
Slide into the BMW and it feels like you’ve sat down
in an architect’s studio. It’s a bit bland at first; the pedals
are rubber, and it’s covered in black and silver. However,
its appeal grows with time. The important things –
handbrake, seat switches, gear lever – are exactly where
you want them. And the steering wheel is the best
looking and the nicest to hold.
What’s surprising, too, is how much impact little
changes to the interior have had. The iDrive button pad
has sunk and is smoothed over, just like the indicator
stalks, and the new digital dash is great. You can also see
out of the thing better than the rest.
The Lexus, meanwhile, mimics a Ridley Scott film set.
You stumble upon whorled stitching, falling buttresses,
and a furled fascia. The carpet is thick, the pedals and
paddles are metal, and everything turns or clicks with
a solid, measured weight. The seats, which are heated,
ventilated, and aggressively bolstered, would feel at
home in something twice as expensive. Its refinement
gives away nothing to BMW.
Functionality, however, is a different story. Buttons,
The V6 has fearsome rolling performance, shooting
the Infi niti from 80km/h to 120km/h in 2.8 seconds
108 january 2018 motormag.com.au