One of the most alluring of hundreds of impressive displays at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January was a pale blue sedan, the Infiniti Q50 concept.
That stylish model has exited the conceptual stage and has arrived in Denver showrooms this week, fitting into the midsize category heretofore represented by the G37.
It’s another step toward building the entire Infiniti lineup around Q types.
Even the M35 Hybrid sport sedan, which came my way last week, will give way to the nomenclature change. It will be succeeded in a few months by the Q70 Hybrid.
Here is Infiniti’s “Q card” for 2014:
The G37 sedan becomes the Q50, the G37 coupe and convertible will be the Q60 and the M37 becomes the Q70. All SUVs and crossovers will carry the QX designation. The EX37 will be the QX50, the JX35 becomes the QX60, the FX37 and FX50 will be known as the QX70 and the already established full-size SUV, the QX56, will be the QX80. Delaying full implementation of the plan is that Infiniti intends to sell a base model of the G37 for another year or so. (Gee whiz, guys.)
Infiniti said its lineup, with the Q and QX designations, should be more easily identified by the public. The letter Q apparently was selected to pay homage to Infiniti’s original model, the Q45.
Backing up to the letter M puts us into the M35 Hybrid, a muscular-looking sedan that operates so quietly at low speeds that engineers installed a noisemaker under the hood to warn pedestrians of its presence. The module emitting the sound of a humming engine is called the Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP).
The M35, one of the fastest hybrids on the market, generates a net 360 horsepower from its combination 3.5-liter V-6 gas engine and lithium-ion-powered electric motor mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with twin-clutch system. Plenty of torque is generated, 268 lb.-ft. for the V-6 and 199 for the electric motor, and the M rear-drive sport sedan responds with much the same vigor as does the V-8-bolstered M56.
I piloted the Infiniti hybrid, with Jan and Kim Parker aboard, to Westminster on Sunday for a 90th birthday gathering for JoDell McDonald. We pulled into the driveway, parking behind the comfy-looking Buick LeSabre, which I remember JoDell purchasing from Mike Malin 10 years or so ago. JoDell, an esteemed career woman among my relatives, still drives that Buick with authority.
My week with the Infiniti produced an overall average of 27.9 miles per gallon of premium fuel. The M35 hybrid carries an EPA estimate of 27/32. The brand’s standard gas-engined M37 sedan is rated at 18/26.
The M’s roomy interior is enhanced by white leather, Japanese ash wood trim and suede-like headliner.
The luxurious roominess, compliant ride, responsive handling and relatively high fuel mileage make the M35 Hybrid a pleasant four-door choice for long-distance road trips. The drawback is the space stolen from the trunk for the battery pack, which means space is tight for the travel bags.
The comfort level, a high-end navigation/traffic/weather setup and safety technology of blind-spot and lane-departure warning, intelligent cruise control and intelligent brake assist have pushed sticker price on the M35 to $66,245.
This increased price keeps the M35 from strong sales among hybrid models. The Infiniti sold 378 hybrids in 2011 and 691 last year. Only 33 were sold last month, bringing sales thus far this year to 298.
Notes from e-mail
Q: Bud, after many years of vicarious enjoyment of the latest top-of-the-line set of wheels via your well-turned phrasing, you’ve left me really wondering about the Mercedes SL63. Living in Estes Park for over 20 years and intimately familiar with the roads from here to Nederland (and Eldora), I couldn’t help mentally questioning your “stretching out the performance” without maybe risking your neck, the car and even some of the road-hazard wildlife. All those “sweeping curves,” now often sprinkled with leftover sand after our heavy rains, can lead to disasters at every turn (pun intended), regardless of the large brake rotors that “add safety.” Tsk, tsk, and no mention at all about your often-emphasized cupholders (or lack thereof). In spite of your fascination with safety gadgets, I think the car lacks a lot in style and trim, is ugly, and especially when compared with a new and less-costly all-black Jag XK-R that recently visited our little mountain village. Maybe it was the dinner? – H.H.
A: I can’t quite determine, Harry, whether you’re criticizing me or not. You’re only guessing at my performance level, aren’t you? Let me say, I’ll never endanger by reckless driving that woman who rides beside me. Cupholders, though; when did I last mention cupholders? An ugly SL, even parked beside a beautiful Jag? I don’t think so. Good to hear from you.
Saturday Drive can also be viewed online at DenverPost.com/budwells. Bud Wells can be reached via e-mail at bwells@denverpost.com.
