Infiniti Q50 debuts 298kW 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6

A facelifted Infiniti Q50 will soon challenge the BMW 340i and Audi S4 thanks to a new 298kW 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine.

A development of the Nissan VQ family now dubbed VR, dual snails help deliver 475Nm between 1600rpm and 5200rpm, while power peaks at 6400rpm. There will also be a low-output version with a single water pump, developing 400Nm and 224kW at the same points on the tachometer.

The boosted 3.0-litre is expected to replace the atmo 3.7-litre currently in the Nissan 370Z (with 245kW/363Nm) and Infiniti Q70/QX70 (235kW/360Nm).

Infiniti hasn’t revealed performance figures for its Q50 3.0t seven-speed automatic, however the petrol-only V6 should weigh considerably less than the 1775kg Q50 hybrid that delivers less power (268kW) but more torque (546Nm). It claims a 5.4-second 0-100km/h.

The brand’s local post says it is unsure whether the new twin-turbo V6 will be positioned below or above the $67,900-to-$73,400 electric motor/V6 model.

All Q50 models get revised suspension settings, with changes to front and rear stabiliser bars, and on Sport models standard two-mode (Sport and Sport+) dampers dubbed Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS).

All 3.0t and 3.5h models also get a “next generation” version of Infiniti’s controversial fly-by-wire fully electric steering system. Although rumoured to be canned entirely, the brand instead says, “The system has undergone significant re-tuning to enhance steering feel and feedback.”

“Engineers have optimised the control logic to improve feedback from the road [with] fine-tuned parameters so that the default setting better mimics the feeling drivers are used to from conventional systems,” Infiniti adds about what it calls Direct Adaptive Steering.

There are six steering settings available, including a new Sport+, or drivers can individually mix and match three core modes with three levels of response.

The revised Infiniti Q50 will launch locally in the second half of 2016. High equipment for a lower price than its chief rival 340i ($89,900) is assured, however we also hope the steering and suspension changes in addition to the new twin-turbo V6 make this Japanese mid-sizer a vastly better drive.