2021 Infiniti Q50
For 2021, the INFINITI Q50 sports sedan adds a new grade level designation and upgrades to standard and optional package content. The Q50 is now offered in a choice of four grade levels: the previously available PURE, LUXE and RED SPORT 400, along with new SENSORY.
In addition, optional equipment package content has been revised – the previous ProASSIST Package content is now standard from LUXE grade. Also, navigation is standard on SENSORY and RED SPORT 400 for 2021 and a new Seat & Sound Package has been added for the LUXE grade.
Also new for the 2021 model year are standard Wi-Fi hotspot and LUXE grade adds a number of driver assistance features, including Intelligent Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection as well as haptic steering wheel (vehicles equipped with Lane Departure Warning). Power folding outside mirrors are now standard on SENSORY and RED SPORT 400 grades.
A new exterior color, Slate Gray, has been added to the Q50 color chart and the RED SPORT 400 features new Black Matte Carbon Fiber interior trim and black exterior trim.
The 2021 INFINITI Q50 is available in a choice of 300-horsepower or 400-horsepower rated 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines (RED SPORT 400). All four grade levels are available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.
A choice of two exterior designs
The dramatic Q50 exterior is once again available with a choice of tailored designs according to the attributes and character of the models within the lineup. The SENSORY grade features a performance-focused exterior design, while the range-topping RED SPORT 400 offers 400 horsepower to accompany exclusive interior and exterior appointments to clearly convey the car’s performance potential.
All grades are marked by INFINITI’s signature double-arch grille, which creates a strong first impression. The grille’s three-dimensional, textural quality offers deep detailing of the waved mesh-pattern surface and chrome surround. Rising from the double-arch grille is a smooth and commanding character line, which flows energetically through the side of the body like a wave, creating a highly fluid profile. The Q50′s signature LED headlamps enhance INFINITI’s trademark human-eye aspect, while slim combination LED rear lamps, derived from the Q60 sports coupe, create a delicate appearance with a sharp light signature.
The front of the Q50 SENSORY and RED SPORT 400 grades include a more angular front bumper and wider, lower air intakes (versus non-Sport models) – adding greater visual potency. Inspired by INFINITI’s zero-lift approach to aerodynamic efficiency, the Q50 boasts a prominent airfoil at the base of the front bumper.
The rear of the SENSORY and RED SPORT 400 places a strong focus on the twin exhausts and rear diffuser with a two-tone paint finish – the body color is accompanied by dark metallic trim around the base of the rear bumper.
RED SPORT 400 models come equipped with unique exhaust finishers and 19-inch wheels, contributing to a more aggressive stance, while also improving handling and traction under cornering and hard acceleration. The exclusive aluminum alloy wheels fitted to RED SPORT 400 models also convey a more technical aspect in their design with sharper, thinner spokes than those of the Q50 SENSORY.
The Q50′s lean, robust body sides are designed to anchor the performance-oriented stance with a strong, solid bone-and-arched roofline that flows to the trademark crescent C-pillars. At the rear, the side character lines smoothly merge with the shape of the rear LED combination lights. The familiar rear double-arch trunk line completes the strong, unforgettable view from behind.
Heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals are standard, while a power sliding and tilting glass moonroof is standard on all models except the Q50 PURE. For 2021, power folding outside mirrors are standard on SENSORY and RED SPORT 400 grades.
The Q50 RED SPORT 400 includes red “S” badging, mirror caps finished in high-gloss black paint, red-painted sport brake calipers and unique exhaust tips, helping assert the car’s performance credentials and adding to its aggressive, confident aura.
Other exterior details include wide door architecture with narrow, roll-formed A- and B-pillar sashes that provide easy ingress and egress, as well as an open cabin environment. The body design also offers excellent airflow over both the upper and lower body portions, resulting in a coefficient of drag as low as 0.26 (varies by grade level and drive configuration). The Q50 also features zero front and rear lift.
The color palette includes two new colors specially selected to accent the Q50′s contours and sculpted surfaces – Slate Gray and Grand Blue, Six other color choices carry over from the previous year – Midnight Black (premium color), Graphite Shadow, Black Obsidian, Dynamic Sunstone Red (exclusive color), Majestic White (premium color) and Pure White.
Finely crafted, connected cabin
Inside, the 2021 Q50 features a high level of artistry and quality throughout the high-tech cabin, providing a comfortable and connected space. Each grade level is differentiated with its own unique interior character.
High levels of craftsmanship are central to the interior design. In particular, high quality materials surround the instrument panel and are finished with double stitching, while INFINITI designers have curated and crafted available finely crafted trims for the dashboard.
INFINITI designers have also incorporated the performance-inspired ethos of the Q50 inside the cabin, derived from the Q60 sports coupe. A performance-oriented, leather-wrapped shift knob – like the instrument panel, also bearing double-stitched seams – is surrounded by chrome trim and features an inlaid INFINITI logo. For 2021, a haptic steering wheel is offered with vehicles equipped with Lane Departure Warning, providing a subtle vibration in place of the previous audio tone.
The Q50 interior features INFINITI’s hallmark zero-gravity spinal support seats that were carefully engineered to provide a consistent level of support and minimize pressure on lower and upper back muscles. Both the front and rear seats help distribute body pressure across a wider range of the upper seating surface. The roomy interior space offers ample front and rear headroom, ample rear knee room enhanced by the thin front seatback design, and wide-range front seat slide and lift adjustability.
The Q50′s instrument panel honors INFINITI’s double-wave design tradition, with an asymmetrical flow from the top of the center cluster to the wide center console. Access to all key operations and controls – including use of hard switches, touch panels, INFINITI Controller and INFINITI Drive Mode Selector – is designed so that the driver does not need to change driving posture.
The INFINITI InTouch™ System features dual HD displays, along with standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. Two illuminated USB connection ports (one Type-A and one Type-C) are also standard.
InTouch™ allows occupants to personalize the interior environment of the Q50 according to their preferences and can store profiles for multiple drivers, identified by their I-Key (Intelligent Key). This includes an easy entry and exit assist system. Based on the profile detected on the I-Key, the Q50 moves the driver’s seat to the most rearward position and the steering wheel up and out of the way for comfortable ingress or egress, before automatically returning both to the custom memory setting. The system also includes SiriusXM® Travel Link (on SENSORY and RED SPORT 400) with access to weather, fuel prices, stocks, sports and movie times (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately).
The Q50 SENSORY and RED SPORT 400 grades are equipped with the 16-speaker Bose® Performance Series sound system. Featuring advanced staging technology, the signal processing algorithm designed especially for this system delivers a precise, rich and nuanced acoustic experience for driver and passengers. The CenterPoint 2.0 software by Bose® enables listeners to enjoy a surround-sound experience from any stereo source. It has been specifically engineered to meet the unique demands of reproducing surround sound in the sedan. SiriusXM® Radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately) and High Definition radio are standard.
Other standard features include Forward Emergency Braking, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and RearView Monitor.
The INFINITI Q50 features a choice of interior upholstery and colors, including available leather-appointed seating surfaces. Four interior color treatments are offered: Graphite, Stone, Gallery White with Red stitching (RED SPORT 400) and Graphite with Red stitching (RED SPORT 400).
Standard interior on Q50 PURE is a Lunar Black interior, and the Q50 LUXE features a Textured Aluminum interior. The SENSORY grade has a new Black Open Pore Wood interior trim, while RED SPORT 400 features a Black Matte Carbon Fiber interior trim.
The RED SPORT 400 is further differentiated with semi-aniline quilted leather-appointed seats, red stitching throughout the cabin and quilted side inserts on the seats. The adoption of more technical materials accentuates the car’s performance potential.
The 2021 Q50 includes a long list of safety, security and driving aid technologies, starting with standard Forward Emergency Braking and Predictive Forward Collision Warning. Among the other available systems are Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Cruise Control with Full Speed Range, Distance Control Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Blind Spot Intervention®, Backup Collision Intervention, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention with Active Lane Control, Adaptive Front lighting System and High Beam Assist technology.
Responsive performance served two ways
Waiting behind the Q50′s signature double-arch grille and wide hood is a choice of two powerful options for the award-winning VR-series 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine. It is available in either 300 horsepower or 400 horsepower and was developed to provide an ideal mix of drivability, efficiency and performance.
The high-output version, which is standard on the Q50 RED SPORT 400, delivers 400 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, the most standard horsepower for any non-specialty model. Torque is rated at 350 lb-ft at 1,600-5,200 rpm.
The standard output version, offered in the Q50 PURE, LUXE and SENSORY models, produces 300 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 1,600-5,200 rpm.
The VR engine adopts a series of innovative technologies to deliver an engaging driving experience, including a direct-injection gasoline fueling system. The high-pressure direct-injection gasoline system allows for more precise injection of fuel into the combustion chamber, delivering the exact amount required for smooth engine acceleration, depending on throttle position and engine speed. This system makes the VR V6 the cleanest and most fuel-efficient engine of its type that INFINITI has ever offered.
The engine also features lightweight aluminum construction and low mechanical friction – providing smooth, durable and highly responsive performance. Chief among the engine’s weight-saving elements is the adoption of spray bore coating for the engine block and integrated exhaust manifold for cylinder heads. Not only does this make the engine lighter, but this also aids cooling, as heat can dissipate more effectively.
One of the engine’s many other significant features is the adoption of an integrated exhaust manifold, built into the cylinder head, which positions the catalytic converter closer to the exhaust point. This results in a shorter flow path for the hot exhaust gases, allowing the catalytic converter to heat up almost instantly – twice as fast as previous V6 engines – improving response, while also reducing emissions from a cold start. Moving the catalytic converter closer to the exhaust point also saves weight by making the engine more compact than before.
The VR-series’ power delivery is enhanced through an advanced twin-turbo system, which enables smooth and immediate responses under acceleration, while aiding efficiency. An optimized turbine blade design helps the engine generate greater overall performance, with faster turbine revolution speeds allowing for an immediate response from the twin-turbo system.
The engine also features a water-cooled intercooler system to further improve performance and efficiency. The system rapidly cools air as it enters the twin-turbo system, reducing turbo lag and allowing for more immediate acceleration. The secondary result is a cooling system that is more compact – meaning a shorter flow path for air entering the turbocharger to enable quicker engine response. An electronic wastegate actuator allows closer control of exhaust gas flow away from the turbocharger, restricting the amount of exhaust gas flowing through the unit to improve overall engine efficiency.
Exclusive to the RED SPORT 400′s engine, an extra water pump to aid in cooling and an optical turbine speed sensor are added, the latter of which allows for the twin-turbochargers to perform at up to 240,000 rpm- higher than ever before for a V6 engine.
The Q50 powerplant is matched to an advanced seven-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode and available steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on Q50 SPORT and RED SPORT 400 models. The gearbox features logic and hardware designed to handle the power output of the VR-series engines. Dual transmission coolers are utilized to better diffuse heat.
In addition, the Q50′s Adaptive Shift Control enhances gear selection by using a lateral acceleration sensor to detect changes in the road, such as hills and turns. Sport Mode allows the driver to select a more aggressive shift pattern with automatic up- and down-shifting at higher rpm. The Sport Mode allows a more aggressive shift pattern and higher rpm downshifting. Manual Mode, as well as paddle shifters are standard on RED SPORT 400. The combined effect is for any driver to enjoy quick, smooth shifts and gear choices that are appropriate to both the road and the desired driving style.
The 2021 Q50 can be configured with one of two driveline options – rear-wheel drive or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. Both are available with any of the five grade levels.
Direct Adaptive Steering and Dynamic Digital Suspension
The INFINITI Q50 also stands out from the competition with its advanced INFINITI Direct Adaptive Steering, which is a precursor to future steering systems that will form a key building block on the way to achieving fully autonomous driving.
Direct Adaptive Steering is able to transmit the driver’s input to the wheels faster than a mechanical system while requiring fewer steering corrections, and it is able to make 1,000 steering adjustments per second. The system enhances the steering feel by quickly and intelligently communicating to the driver feedback about road surface and chassis behavior. This gives the driver a secure and confident feeling at the wheel, free from unnecessary steering kickbacks or vibrations. The elimination of unwanted feedback has the further benefit of reducing driver fatigue.
Direct Adaptive Steering is available on the RED SPORT 400 as part of the ProACTIVE package. Standard on PURE, LUXE andSENSORY models is a refined Rack Electronic Power Steering design.
Every Q50 features a 4-wheel independent suspension that provides an improved balance between confident handling and a comfortable ride. The front suspension is a double-wishbone design, while the rear suspension utilizes a multi-link design with coil springs and Dual Flow Path® shock absorbers (non-SPORT models). Extensive use of aluminum components for the suspension keeps weight down. The suspension also offers front and rear stabilizer bars.
Standard on RED SPORT 400 is the Dynamic Digital Suspension, which constantly adjusts the shock absorber valves within a wide range of damping force to control body motion when cornering. It monitors body roll, pitch and bounce rate to restrain body motion for a comfortable, confident and insulated ride in all conditions, ensuring that bumps and undulating road conditions are absorbed to maintain flat body posture.
Braking is provided by a 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brake system with 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System and Electronic Brake force Distribution and Brake Assist. Sport Brakes with upgraded rotors, 4-piston front calipers, 2-piston rear calipers and red painted calipers are standard on RED SPORT 400.
A range of wheel and tire combinations are available, starting with the Q50 PURE’s 17×7.5-inch split 5-spoke aluminum-alloy, wheels with 225/55R17 all-season run-flat tires. In addition, 18×7.5-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/50R18 all-season run-flat tires are offered on Q50 LUXE models.
Standard on the Q50 SENSORY are 19×8.5-inch aluminum-alloy sport wheels with 245/40R19 all-season or summer run-flat tires. The Q50 RED SPORT 400 AWD comes equipped with exclusive sport-design 19×9-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/40R19 all-season run-flat tires. And finally, the Q50 RED SPORT 400 RWD comes with staggered aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/40R19 front, 265/35R19 rear run-flat summer tires.
Five fully equipped models for 2021
The 2021 Q50 offers a wide range of available models designed to fit a range of owner preferences. The Q50 PURE’s long list of standard features includes 8-way power front seats, Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control, INFINITI InTuition™, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, INFINITI Intelligent Key, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Forward Emergency Braking, and Predictive Forward Collision Warning.
The Q50 LUXE adds chrome front fascia finishers, power sliding moonroof, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/5OR18 all-season run-flat tires, Textured Aluminum interior trim, heated front seats and steering wheel, Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Backup Collision Intervention, Distance Control Assist and Intelligent Cruise Control with Full Speed Range.
Q50 SENSORY models add a range of features such as front and rear sport fascias, 19-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels and leather-appointed sport seats. The Q50 SENSORY also adds Navigation, Bose® Performance Series 16-speaker sound system, Dynamic Digital Suspension, Advanced Climate Control System, Black Open Pore Wood interior trim, dual-occupant memory system and enhanced ambient lighting.
The ultra-performance Q50 RED SPORT 400 comes complete with quilted semi-aniline leather-appointed seats, aluminum-accented pedals, unique red contrast stitching throughout, unique Black Matte Carbon interior accents, exclusive dark metallic dynamic tactile paddle shifters, staggered 19-inch wheels and tires (RWD), black mirrors, exclusive exhaust tips, sport brakes with red painted calipers and, of course, 400 horsepower.
Just two option packages are offered for 2021. The revised ProACTIVE Package, available on RED SPORT 400, includes Direct Adaptive Steering, Lane Departure Prevention, Active Lane Control, Blind Spot Intervention, Adaptive Front lighting System with auto-leveling headlights, front seat driver/passenger pre-crash seatbelts, Eco Pedal and INFINITI radiant grille emblem with black grille. The new Seat & Sound Package, available on Q50 LUXE, features leather-appointed seats, Bose® Performance Series Audio 16-speaker stereo with Bose® Centerpoint® simulated surround, driver’s seat power lumbar and enhanced ambient lighting.
Pricing
| MODEL | SUGGESTED LIST PRICE (1) | ENGINE | TRANSMISSION |
| Q50 PURE | $36,600 | 3.0L V6 Twin-Turbo 300hp | All models equipped with 7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode |
| Q50 PURE AWD | $38,600 | 3.0L V6 Twin-Turbo 300hp | |
| Q50 LUXE | $41,700 | 3.0L V6 Twin-Turbo 300hp | |
| Q50 LUXE AWD | $43,700 | 3.0L V6 Twin-Turbo 300hp | |
| Q50 SENSORY | $47,600 | 3.0L V6 Twin-Turbo 300hp | |
| Q50 SENSORY AWD | $49,600 | 3.0L V6 Twin-Turbo 300hp | |
| Q50 RED SPORT 400 | $55,750 | 3.0L V6 Twin-Turbo 400hp | |
| Q50 RED SPORT 400 AWD | $57,750 | 3.0L V6 Twin-Turbo 400hp |
Specifications
| ENGINE | Q50 PURE, LUXE, SENSORY | Q50 RED SPORT 400 | |
| Type | VR30DDTT DOHC 24-valve | ||
| Orientation | Longitudinal | ||
| Cylinders / configuration | V6 with resin coated pistons | ||
| Block / head composition | Aluminum-alloy/aluminum-alloy | ||
| Displacement (liters / cc) | 3.0 liters / 2,997 cc | ||
| Horsepower | 300 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 400 hp @ 6,400 rpm | |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1,500 – 5,200 rpm | 350 lb-ft @ 1,600 – 5,200 rpm | |
| Bore x stroke (mm) | 86.0 x 86.0 | ||
| Compression ratio (:1) | 10.3 | ||
| Maximum engine speed | 6,800 rpm | ||
| Induction system | Twin turbochargers | ||
| Intercooler | Water-cooled, single pump | Water-cooled, twin pumps | |
| Valvetrain | 4 valves per cylinder, Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVTCS) | ||
| Mounts | FrontRear | 2 liquid-filled1 liquid-filled (RWD), 1 solid (AWD) | |
| Fuel delivery system | Direct fuel injection | ||
| Required fuel | Premium unleaded | ||
| Emissions system | Closed loop feedback system with 4 catalysts | ||
| Emission certification level | Tier3Bin125/LEV2-ULEV | ||
| Exhaust | 3.0t PURE, LUXE, SPORTRED SPORT 400 | Dual with chrome finishersDual with brushed finishers | |
(Infiniti Press Release)
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