At some point, Infiniti's alphanumeric naming system requires a cryptologist.
So, here, let me break down the new, 2015 Q70L 5.6 AWD.
Start with Q -- Formerly called the M, Infiniti's flagship sedan has been renamed and brought under the "Q" banner with all the other models in the fleet.
70 -- Signifies the Q70's status at the top of the Infiniti sedan hierarchy.
L -- The tacked on "L" stands for long wheel-base, but could just as easily be an abbreviation for luxury limousine.
5.6 -- The metric size, in liters, of our test car's potent, V-8 engine.
AWD -- All-wheel-drive -- which turns this native rear-drive sedan into a mountain-climbing beast.
The Q70L is Infiniti's flagship sedan.Fast facts
* Model: 2015 Infiniti Q70L 5.6 AWD * Exterior color: Hermosa Blue * Interior color: Java * Engine: 5.6-liter V-8 * Horsepower: 416 * Transmission: seven-speed automatic * Fuel economy: 23 mpg highway, 16 mpg city * Dealer: Infiniti of Chattanooga * Price (as tested): $77,180
Got it?
In summary, the Q70L 5.6 AWD is, well, a great car.
In a segment that includes such automotive thoroughbreds as the Mercedez-Benz S Class and the BMW 7-series, the Q70L must be infused with excellence just to stay in the game. Every time I drive an Infiniti I'm reminded how adroitly the brand splits the difference between BMW-style performance and Lexus-like comfort.
Our tester this week was provided by George Becknell, executive manager at Infiniti Chattanooga, with demo assistance by sales consultant Daniel Hill. The elegant Hermosa Blue test car stickers for $77,180 and includes an extensive tech package with all of Infinti's latest and greatest electronic safety toys.
The Q70L also has such catchy features as self-sealing rear doors and a free-for-a-year concierge service that puts a team of personal assistants at your beck and call when traveling.
STYLING AND FEATURES
Any description of the Q70L should start with its impressive length. Seen in profile, this 202-inch sedan appears to stretch from Bristol to Memphis. For scale, it's just a couple of feet short of a three-point shot in college basketball.
All that added length, about six-inches more than the standard-wheelbase Q70, finds its way into rear-seat leg-room. At 5-feet, 10-inches I could stretch my legs in front of me and cross my ankles. This first-class comfort makes the Q70L the go-to limousine in some Asian markets. Still, the Q70L handles remarkably well for a car with such a long body.
Our Hermosa Blue tester, Hill points out, has a host of active safety systems including forward emergency breaking and a lane-departure nanny that can nudge the car back on track if it begins to wander off path. The active systems are part of a $7,200 deluxe technology package, which also includes a 16-speaker Bose sound system, a suede-like headliner and semi-aniline leather. The 20-inch alloy wheels are a $1,150 upgrade.
Speaking of those leather seats, the deep-brown Java color is a nice pairing with the deep blue exterior. Time was, automakers were loath to mix brown interiors with blue and silver exteriors, but it's apparently no longer taboo.
Most of the Q70L's gauges are analog, which makes them intuitive and easy to read. An 8-inch VGA screen reminds you that you're in a 21st century chariot, and serves as the brain center for the navigation system and the parking camera system.
The back seats, as you might expect, offer sublime comfort, although they don't recline. Leg room, as we've mentioned, is vast, making the back seat a great place to grab a nap. There is also a retractable rear-window shade.
As you'd expect at this price point, the Q70L offers a host of standard luxury features, including climate-controlled front seats, a heated steering wheel and navigation.
DRIVING DYNAMICS
On our mid-week test drive on Chattanooga freeways, the Q70L proved to be a rock-solid cruiser; spiced with a little fun courtesy of an optional 416-horsepower, V-8 engine. Car and Driver reports that the 5.6-liter motor allows the Q70L to sprint to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds. A more sedate, V-6 is the standard engine.
Our tester also comes with the optional all-wheel-drive feature, a worthy upgrade for Chattanooga drivers. If you notice rear-wheel-drive cars spinning out during the city's recent snowfalls, you'll understand. The Q70L even has a "snow" driving mode, which dials in the proper amount of throttle response and changes the transmission shift points. There are also, standard, eco and sport modes, depending on your driving mood. All Q70 models come with a silky, seven-speed automatic transmission.
The Q70L, with its blend of cabin isolation and sporty driving dynamics, is fun freeway car. Some wind and tire noise does intrude into the cabin, but not so much as to be distracting. Frankly, some luxury sedans are so tightly sealed that you can forget you're in an automobile.
BOTTOM LINE
The Q70L is a big car for people with big automotive appetites. Still, it is priced thousands below its competitors and arguable offers an elevated driving experience.
In short, it's a smart choice for those with high automotive IQs.
Wait, maybe that's where the Q comes from.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.