The Next Skyline Coupe Unveiled | INFINITI

INFINITI Q60 | Infiniti Q60

Next Skyline Coupe Unveiled

INFINITI, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.'s premium brand for North America, held the world premiere of the new coupe "Q60" (Japanese name: Skyline Coupe) at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), commonly known as the Detroit Motor Show. The Q60 is the production version of the "Q60 Concept" that was also unveiled for the first time at last year's Detroit Motor Show. Its bold and powerful exterior design is befitting a premium sports coupe, expressing the unique appearance adopted by the concept model unveiled at the previous NAIAS without compromise.

Text by SAKURAI Kenichi

Concept Car Design Inherited

At the press conference for the "Q60" held by INFINITI (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.), Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. CEO Carlos Ghosn himself took the stage. "The third generation of INFINITI's new coupe inherits almost all the design elements from the "Q60 Concept" concept that debuted at the show last year. It embodies our advanced technology and brand, combining elegance, sportiness, performance, and environmental friendliness," he said, introducing this highly anticipated new model.

As mentioned earlier, the INFINITI Q60 is the production version of the Q60 Concept that made its world premiere at last year's Detroit Motor Show. While the concept model had some show-specific enhancements like small door mirrors and large-diameter wheels, the three-dimensional front fascia, sharp side lines, and the stance that firmly grips the road with its four tires are truly inherited from the concept car.

The actual vehicle is composed of complex lines and curves with sharp contrasts, and a three-dimensional shoulder line that incorporates the door handles, clearly expressing its identity as an INFINITI. Furthermore, the base of the distinctively designed C-pillar and the rear quarter window are design highlights. These are design cues also used in the earlier concept car.

The body dimensions of the Q60, which successfully expresses the design INFINITI advocated in its concept car, are 4,683mm in length, 1,850mm in width, and 1,385mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,850mm. Compared to the current North American specification model (rear-wheel drive), which measures 4,650mm in length, 1,825mm in width, and 1,392mm in height, this can be said to emphasize a wider stance. The wheelbase is the same, so it is safe to say that the interior space is not significantly different between the two models.

INFINITI Q60 | Infiniti Q60

Next Skyline Coupe Unveiled (2)

Sport+ Added to Steering Settings

The engine lineup includes a newly developed V6 DOHC 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine producing a maximum output of 298kW (405ps) and a maximum torque of 475Nm (48.4kgm), and a unit with the same displacement but detuned to a maximum output of 224kW (304ps) and a maximum torque of 400Nm (40.7kgm). Additionally, there is an inline 4-cylinder DOHC 2.0-liter engine delivering a maximum output of 155kW (211ps) and a maximum torque of 350Nm (35.7kgm). All transmissions are 7-speed automatics.

Compared to the bold exterior design, the interior feels less adventurous, but it boasts a high-quality finish befitting a premium brand like INFINITI. It features three-dimensionally shaped sports seats to support the driver and a leather-wrapped steering wheel that is smaller in diameter than those found in sedans.

The second-generation "Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS)" has evolved to allow drivers to arbitrarily set the steering response from six modes via the Drive Mode Selector: "Customize," "Standard," "Snow," "Eco," "Sport," and the newly added "Sport+," to suit their driving style. The core modes of DAS are "Standard," "Sport," and the new "Sport+," each of which can further adjust the response across three levels: "Standard," "Dynamic," and "Dynamic+."

Two types of suspension are available, a key consideration for a sports model. One is the standard suspension, which is said to offer more direct and linear handling response while minimizing road noise and unnecessary vibrations. Shock absorbers and bushings optimized for sports coupes have been developed exclusively for the "Q60."

INFINITI Q60 | Infiniti Q60

Next Skyline Coupe Unveiled (3)

A Model to Watch as the Next Skyline Coupe

The other is a newly developed electronic suspension system called "Dynamic Digital Suspension." This is standard on the "Q60 Sport" grade and is said to provide class-leading handling responsiveness, agility, and a sporty ride.

With custom software and newly developed hardware, including dampers and bushings, the electronic control dampers work in conjunction with the Sport and Sport+ modes of the DAS, set via the Drive Mode Selector. INFINITI explains that this achieves an ideal ride comfort with dynamic response.

Additionally, the cabin features a new Bose Performance Series audio system with 13 speakers. It is equipped with entertainment features befitting a premium brand, as well as the latest safety equipment, including an Around View Monitor, Intelligent Cruise Control with Distance Control Assist, Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Prevention, and Blind Spot Warning.

Since the 2014 model year, INFINITI has reorganized its lineup and rebuilt its brand image by changing vehicle names to start with 'Q' followed by two digits (SUVs use 'QX' plus two digits), tracing its roots back to the flagship "Q45" introduced in 1986 when the INFINITI brand was born. The Q60, which will directly compete with European luxury brands and US market rivals like Lexus, Acura, and Cadillac, is scheduled to go on sale in the North American market in the latter half of 2016.

As this model is expected to be introduced in Japan as the next Skyline Coupe, its evolved design and performance are worth paying attention to from now on.