Red Sport still can’t avoid the fact its
steering isn’t physically connected to
anything (despite all the traditional
gubbins remaining as a fail-safe in the
eventofacrash).
Essentially, you’re at the helm of an
arcade-style wheel that computes
inputs in bytes rather than via a
physical connection. Yes, you get
Sport+ mode that adds artificial
weight, but it still feels disconcerting
and disconnected – because it is. None
of the modes result in meaningful
feedbackandthatlackoffeelmakes
placing the Q50 hard as the sensation
is taken out of your hands.
Which is all a bit of a shame, really,
because when the road opens up
and the Red Sport is shown some
sweeping, wider-radius corners it
starts to make a little more sense.
The rear-drive architecture, despite
being based on the previous-gen G37,
comes to the fore and there’s just about
enough lateral poise to push on.
The brakes (355mm front and
350mm rear) offer the great
progression and feel the steering lacks,
arresting the rather portly 1784kg Red
Sport’s pace in a reassuring manner.
Diamond-stitched
leather seats and
loadsofkitgetatick
–foot-operatedpark
brake doesn’tGetting the best out of the dynamics
is all about dialling it back to receive
more. Yes, the ride quality could
be better – even with the adaptive
dampers in their softest Comfort mode
- but it’s acceptable at speed and
general NVH levels are low.
On the inside, the Q50 is a relatively
spacious, mid-sized four-door sedan.
Ithasdecentbootspaceandthe
rear pews afford enough head and
legroom. The overall design of the
cabin is pleasing and you won’t be left
wanting for features to play with. It
just about gets away with its prestige
intent, distancing itself from its Nissan
lineage. Although, the dual screens,
and their differing graphics, are an
ergonomic and cosmetic let down.
Aspiration should always be
moderated by realistic expectations.
For the Q50, that, ahem, sting in the
tail comes via Kia’s impressive Stinger.
Ultimately it achieves the brief more
comprehensively with a smaller hit
to the wallet. While the devilishly
fast, well-specced and stylish Infiniti
aspires to greener European pastures,
it seems a fellow Asian upstart has
alreadycomeintocutitsgrass.M
The unloaded
inside Dunlop SP
Sport Maxx is
fried faster than
a dagwood dog
at Summernats
d motorofficial f motor_mag^33