The interior of the 2018 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport coupe is sporty and functional. (Staff Photo by Mark Kennedy)Infiniti's Q60 sports coupe wears its athleticism proudly, from its low-slung profile to its bulging fenders and over-sized rear wheels.
Coupes have generally not fared well in today's SUV-obsessed world, where brawn is the new beauty. But there is no denying the head-turning good looks of the Q60, especially in Red Sport 400 trim like our tester.
At a convenience store near Baylor School we had to tip our cap to an admirer who stood and faced us with two thumbs up: "Cool car!" he shouted enthusiastically.
Yes, indeed it is.
And for driving enthusiasts, the beauty of the Q60 is more than skin deep. Under the hood is a snarling, twin-turbocharged V6 engine that makes 400 horsepower (thus the Red Sport "400" designation). Car & Driver clocked it in the 0-60 mph sprint - a commonly used performance metric - in 5.5 seconds.
THE BASICS
Model: 2018 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400Color: Dynamic Sunston (Red)Engine: 3.0-liter, V-6, twin-turbochargedMSRP: $63,705Local Dealership: Infiniti of Chattanooga, 7646 Lee Highway
The government estimates the Q60 will get 27 miles per gallon highway and 20 miles per gallon city. Meanwhile, government safety scores for the 2018 Q60 have not yet been posted.
JUST THE FACTS
At base, the Q60 Red Sport 400 is a luxury sport coupe with room for four passengers that competes alongside the Cadillac ATS, Lexus RC 350 and Mercedes-Benz AMG C43. It appeals to performance oriented drivers who don't need, or don't want, extra interior space.
Its powerful, twin-turbocharged engine, pinpoint steering and sport-tuned suspension make it a fun playmate on our Tennessee Valley mountain roads. A rear-wheel-drive configuration enhances the driving experience.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT: The Q60 Red Sport 400 has a high level of standard equipment, including the twin-turbocharged engine, seven-speed automatic transmission, gorgeous 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, semi-aniline leather seats, Bose 13-speaker audio system and a drive-mode selector.
HOW MUCH, AND WHERE: The MSRP on our top-of-the-line tester is $63,705, including about $10,000 worth of options. Infiniti of Chattanooga at 7646 Lee Highway had nine Q60s in digital inventory last week ranging in manufacturer's suggested retail price from $50,595 to $63,145.
OPTIONS WE COULD LIVE WITHOUT: A $2,250 carbon-fiber package option on our tester seems a bit extravagant for a purely ornamental grouping that includes deck-lid spoiler, mirror covers, fog lamp accents and fender vents.
OPTIONS WE LOVE: Together the "pro-assist" package ($2,250) and the "proactive" package ($2,850) bundle all available safety tech features to protect your life and your investment. Components include blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, around-view monitor, front and rear sonar, forward emergency braking, intelligent cruise control and lane departure prevention.
WHY IT'S GOOD FOR CHATTANOOGA: At peak power, the G60 can scamper up our mountain roads and carve a path through our scenic valley highways.
BOTTOM LINE: The Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 is a striking coupe with a powerplant that matches its aggressive good looks.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com.