Compared to its competitors, Infiniti is the best buy because the new Q50 now has 405 hp. With. power. And the price of the new Infiniti is only 3,000,000 rubles. Competitors include the charged Jaguar XE, Mercedes-AMG C 43, and BMW 340i. In addition, Infinity has all-wheel drive and smart electronic control.
Motor
Previously, there was a naturally aspirated V6 engine with a volume of 3.7 liters, it was installed on the Infiniti G-series. This is what the Q50 model was previously called. Instead of that proven engine, they will now install a new turbocharged engine VR30DDTT, which already uses modern technologies. The engine has 6 cylinders, a 60-degree camber, the volume is now 3 liters, and direct injection. There are also 2 turbochargers, intercoolers and electrically actuated wastegates.
To reduce friction losses, engineers installed exhaust manifolds in the cylinder heads. Even the weight of the motor has become 14 kg less than the weight of its predecessor. Many consider this engine to be similar to the powerful twin-turbo VR38DETT from Nissan GT-R, but in fact, the basis for the new engine for Infiniti was the old and proven VG30DET engine, which was installed in the Nissan 300ZX.
Besides, new motor The VR30DDTT is made from aluminum and uses plasma spraying on the cylinder walls. Its weight is 220.6 kg. For American market this engine in the Infiniti Q50 was derated to 300 hp. With. In the top version with a power of 405 hp. With. There are 2 pumps installed in the cooling system, there is also a higher boost pressure and there is an optical sensor for counting the number of revolutions of the turbine, which can spin up to 240,000 rpm.
But the ringing sound of an atmospheric engine has already disappeared, because there are turbines that muffle the sound. This engine runs on 98 gasoline, and as soon as you lightly press the gas pedal, the car takes off. According to the passport, the car accelerates to hundreds in 5.4 seconds. It feels like the car accelerates clearly faster, it feels sport drive
If you drive the Infinity quietly, you can invest in a consumption of 10 liters per 100 km. The suspension has been improved, so now the Infiniti Q50 rides more gracefully over uneven surfaces, sound insulation is also improved high level. Also in the car now there are adaptive dampers, which can be switched to sport mode and they will become more rigid, but the car will take turns almost without roll.
Steering
Now the new Q50 already has basic configuration coming steering without mechanical connection with wheels. That is, control by wire. It wasn’t all that simple here; such control first appeared in 2013 on the Q50, and electronic control was installed only on top versions. But during the use of such management there were many recall campaigns. There were cases that during severe frost
the car could become uncontrollable for some time. But the engineers made some improvements, after which the system became known as Direct Adaptive Steering 2. It has 3 control units and an electric motor that simulates steering force. If the electronics suddenly fail, for this case they installed a claw clutch in the steering shaft, which will operate in emergency cases
. The software has also been rewritten, so the system should now work more reliably and predictably.
The very first electronic steering was developed jointly by Nissan and Kayaba (KYB) of Japan. If breakdowns occur, then any of the 3 blocks can be backup. There are 2 electric motors installed on the rack instead of one, as is usually the case. These motors transmit their force through a worm mechanism, the design of which is quite reliable.
If you drive calmly, without creating extreme situations, then the control is quite normal. But still this system leaves much to be desired. For example, if you turn the steering wheel in one direction, you can see that the steering wheel has reached its extreme position, and the wheels are turned a little more, which means that there is still a small loss of time, a fraction of a second. It's like with a mouse; a wireless mouse always thinks a little longer than a wired one. If you turn the steering wheel even further with force, it will be able to turn further by about a quarter of a turn, but the wheels will not spin any further.
If you drive more actively, then there is not enough direct connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. But you can get used to this system; in general, it’s a normal issue. If you turn on “Fast+”, the car can enter the arc in 2 steps, very similar to cars with thrusters rear wheels. On ice, the steering wheel turns the same regardless of the settings.
Four-wheel drive
If you drive with slippage, you won’t be able to do this for long. First you need to disable ESP system, then you can feel the joy of drifting in all-wheel drive. The traction will become more powerful, but if the wheels slip for a long time, the center coupling, which is located in the drive of the front wheels, will overheat. For it to overheat, just skidding for 20 seconds is enough. Once it overheats, the car will become rear-wheel drive. It will take 10 minutes for the coupling to cool down. But in the back drive drift It’s more interesting, so there’s no reason to worry.
Infiniti is known to us as a reliable, powerful car with impeccable work. Each part of the motor performs its functions very well. If one part of the machine breaks down, you may already hear or notice signs of trouble. In order not to bring the engine to very poor condition, need to be implemented regular maintenance at a car service center or take the car to full diagnostics, if you notice bad changes in her work.
The most common signs of Infiniti engine problems
- An unexpected increase in oil consumption by 0.5 liters per 1 thousand kilometers;
- Loss of motor power;
- High fuel consumption;
- There is carbon deposits on the spark plugs;
- Extraneous sounds while starting the engine and driving.
To find out the cause of the breakdown, you need diagnostics using equipment modern type. Such a study will show what kind of repairs need to be made. Most often, infiniti breakdown occurs due to overheating, which is a consequence of such breakdowns:
- defect on the piston rings;
- breaking valve stem seals;
- development of the crankshaft journal resource.
How to repair an Infiniti engine in a specialized workshop
Repair of other smaller faults is carried out after treatment automobile unit. In this case, the engine is subject to complete troubleshooting to determine the method in which the malfunction will be eliminated. Defective parts are repaired (if possible) or replaced with new ones. Similar repairs and servicing of the Ifiniti engine in Moscow you can carry out in our car service center by ordering a partial or overhaul. After communicating with the owner of the car, the service center specialists can install any spare part from a manufacturer that has a certificate for its manufacture.
After the engine is repaired, it is fully tested to determine whether the engine can be used in the future. After such operations, the car can be used again without worrying about it stopping in the middle of the road.
In our workshop it is possible to repair the Infiniti engine on a turnkey basis cheaply and order service, thus becoming our regular customer. Thanks to the availability of a stock of the most necessary parts for cars, we can repair your Infinity quickly, without waiting for the delivery of this or that spare part. Welcome to our service center!
Types of Infiniti Q50 engine repairs
| Diagnostics Infiniti engine Q50 | Grinding crankshaft Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti Q50 valve adjustment |
| Infiniti Q50 engine overhaul | Infiniti Q50 cylinder block boring | Infiniti Q50 connecting rod repair |
| Removal and installation of the Infiniti Q50 engine | Replacing hydraulic lifters in Infiniti Q50 | Changing the oil in the Infiniti Q50 engine |
| Replacing crankshaft oil seals in Infiniti Q50 | Replacement camshafts Infiniti Q50 | Flushing the Infiniti Q50 engine |
| Infiniti Q50 cylinder head repair | Replacing the Infiniti Q50 timing belt | Replacing the Infiniti Q50 engine pump |
| Replacing the Infiniti Q50 engine mount | Replacing the timing chain of Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti Q50 engine injector replacement |
| Replacing the cylinder head gasket in Infiniti Q50 | Repressing Infiniti Q50 pistons | Replacing the Infiniti Q50 engine filter |
| Replacing the gasket valve cover Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti Q50 block sleeve | Replacing glow plugs in Infiniti Q50 |
| Replacing the Infiniti Q50 oil pan gasket | Replacement oil pump Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti Q50 engine replacement |
| Infiniti Q50 fuel pump replacement | Replacing valve stem seals for Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti Q50 Engine Mount Replacement |
Advantages Japanese manufacturer were appreciated in the country for which the brand was created - in the USA. No wonder - this is where powerful and comfortable sedans with wood and leather are most valued.
About five years ago, Infiniti began active expansion into the European market. The M model (now Q70) was able to meet the expectations of Western European customers. Now it’s the turn of the younger Q50 model.
The design of the Infiniti Q50 impressively balances between futurism and stately elegance. Despite the model's 2-year age, it still attracts the eye and makes a solid impression on the road. Even comparing the Japanese with the Audi A4, it seems that there is at least a whole decade between them. Yes, indeed, it is difficult to find fault with something, it is difficult to find controversial elements. Catchy and elegant - the goal is achieved.
The interior fits perfectly into the newly chosen style of the brand. It's cozy, a little sporty and modern. There is no obsessive glamor here. The first violin is, of course, played by a set of monitors on the center console. The first one, at the top, is not something innovative, but the one below is. The second display is touch screen and displays information in excellent quality. Thanks to him, we managed to get rid of control panels with a scattering of a huge number of buttons. The result is improved ergonomics and greater harmony in the cabin. Managing systems has become incredibly simple and intuitive. Perhaps this is currently one of the best solutions in class.
Armchairs - first league. They perfectly combine luxury and sport. The cushion is of normal length, there is satisfactory lateral support and the chair can be adjusted in almost any direction.
There is not much space inside, but four adults, each 180 cm tall, can easily cover long distances. The 500-liter trunk also deserves recognition. This is a pretty good result for a 4.8 meter long sedan.
When deciding to buy an Infiniti Q50, a small dilemma will arise: which version to choose? In the sales catalog you can find a hybrid or modification with gasoline engine. Europeans can also get a 2.2-liter diesel version. In North America, the Infinity Q50 is available with a 3.7-liter gasoline V6 that develops 333 hp.
We got a copy with a 2-liter gasoline turbo engine for testing. The first impression is very pleasant. The engine transmits virtually no signs of life into the cabin. Zero vibrations. Only with a stronger addition of gas to the ears rear passengers the sound of an inline four comes through, which is not disgusting. For a 4-cylinder engine this is really good.
On paper, the power unit accelerates the sedan to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. But in an era of rapidly developing technologies and increasingly fast cars, even for the middle class these figures are not a feat. Fortunately, subjectively the car seems truly alive. It picks up speed willingly, and the 7-speed automatic transmission gear works great. Engine and gearbox – Mercedes products. Both units cope with their task flawlessly over a wide rev range. Gear changes smoothly, and during active driving the box begins to function faster. There is also a manual mode for selecting gears - using paddle shifters on the steering wheel and the selector. A pleasant surprise- fuel consumption. At a calm pace it amounted to just over 8 liters per 100 km. With heavy traffic, my appetite increased by 2 liters.
The chassis deserves recognition, which combines comfort and confident handling well. This is not empty talk. The Q50 truly allows you to relax behind the wheel and take corners at high speed with confidence.
Most car enthusiasts already know that Infiniti equipped its smallest sedan with a “steer-by-wire” system. It is nothing more than a network of computers instead of a traditional mechanical steering column. All driver commands are transmitted directly to the wheels through the steering wheel. Reactions are instantaneous, and there are no vibrations on the steering wheel from uneven road surfaces.
The system offers several operating modes. Among them, "Sporty" is truly brilliant. It offers a completely unnatural, but very pleasant steering effort. The mode is selected on the 7-inch touch panel located on the center console. It is worth noting that Sebastian Vettel himself, a German racing driver and four-time world champion of the Formula 1 racing series, worked on the steering settings.
Summing up, I would like to recall Lexus' attempts to conquer the European market. The first serious steps were very expensive for the brand - many mistakes and ignorant attempts to step on the heels of premium brands of the Old World. Infiniti faces an even more difficult task. Today there are quite a lot of players on the global market, and success on the American continent does not mean an easy path in Europe. Infinity has had plenty of time to focus on improving significant aspects that are seemingly invisible. So what's the result?
The Infiniti Q50 looks great, offers comfort and sporty character. Sometimes you won’t find this even in famous German cars. If you're looking for a sedan that's fun to drive, won't break the bank at regular gas stations, and is reliable and practical, then the Infiniti may be just what you're looking for.
SpecificationsInfinitiQ50
Engine - petrol, turbo, R4, 16V
Displacement - 1991 cc
Power - 211 hp (155 kW) at 5500 rpm
Maximum torque - 320 Nm at 1250-3500 rpm
Box - Automatic, 7-speed
Drive – rear wheels
Body
Length x width x height - 4783 x 1824 x 1443 mm
Wheelbase - 2850 mm
Curb weight - 1692 kg
Trunk - 500 l
Fuel tank - 80 l
Type - sedan
Doors/seats - 4/5
Chassis
Wheels - 245/40 R19
Suspension:
- front - double wishbone
Rear - multi-link
Brakes front/rear - ventilated disc
Dynamics
Acceleration 0-100 km/h - 7.2 s
Maximum speed - 245 km/h
Fuel consumption
city / highway / average
Factory data - 8.6 / 5.0 / 6.3 l / 100 km
According to test results - 9.3 / 7.1 / 7.7 l / 100 km
CO 2 emissions - 146 g/km
Price
Price – from 1,423,500 rubles to 2,100,000 rubles.
Man has always driven a car. Hasn't appeared yet Infiniti sedan Q50: It is controlled electronically. And you just give her commands. Electronic pedal gas system automatic braking, and now also a steering wheel that is not connected to the wheels. This machine knows how to do everything in the best possible way, and all you have to do is ask it. She is even sure that she knows better than you what you need. But I don't like it at all!
Infiniti's position in the global market falls somewhere between "much worse" and "disaster." Overseas, the luxury brand Nissan, created specifically for the US market, sold only 119,877 cars in 2012. Compare this with competitors: Mercedes-Benz – 295,063 cars, BMW – 281,460, Lexus – 244,166, Acura – 156,216, Cadillac – 149,789, Audi – 139,310 cars.
In America, the only brands sold worse than Infiniti in the luxury segment are Lincoln, for which a funeral service is about to be sung, Volvo, whose design, it seems, the Americans did not like, and the too expensive products of Jaguar-Land Rover.
Since the Q50 is built on the platform of its predecessor, the dimensions have remained almost unchanged. The length increased by only 10 millimeters.
Things are no better in other markets, where total sales barely exceeded 50 thousand cars. The final 170 thousand cars do not satisfy either Infiniti President Johan DeNischen or his immediate boss, the great and terrible Carlos Ghosn. That is why the latter set the goal of raising sales of the Infiniti brand to 600 thousand by 2020. That is four times!
Global expansion will be based on two pillars. Firstly, on expanding the range. Will be added to current models flagship sedan larger than the Q70 (formerly M-series), the Q30 hatchback, which is planned to be produced in England, and a supercar (whether it will be a luxury version of the Nissan GT-R or an in-house development in the style of the Essense concept is still unknown). Secondly, in Hong Kong, where the company's headquarters are now located, they hope for sales growth updated models from an existing line. And the Q50 sedan is destined to play a leading role in these plans.
Now every third Infiniti sold in the world is a G sedan, the ideological predecessor of the new Q50. And it’s not just that the other models are selling very poorly. In the States, the Infiniti sports sedan is second in demand only to the three-ruble car from BMW and the C-Class from Mercedes, seriously ahead of the Cadillac ATS, the Audi A4, the Lexus IS, and the Volvo S60. But this is America, and in Russia G-sedans have always been beaten German competitors. The segment leader last year was Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which was bought by 6,785 people versus... 796 who chose the Infiniti G.
The trunk is large and comfortable. The hybrid has 100 liters less, but the main problem is that the backrest is hybrid sedan doesn't add up.
The reasons for such low sales lie in the still modest dealer network and too powerful motors– the same C-class makes a cash register at base engines. And this, as a consequence, leads to high prices, taxes, fuel consumption...
Infiniti needs air like it needs air compact engine with power less than 200 Horse power. And the Q50 will have it! Even two.
Initial rumors that new C-class and compact Infiniti will receive common platform, not confirmed, but Mercedes-Benz engines Japanese sedan still going to use it. We are talking about a two-liter turbo engine and a 2.1-liter diesel engine. It's funny that for some reason Infiniti believes that its volume is 2.2 liters. Probably someone did not study well at school - otherwise it is impossible to explain such a rounding of 2143 cubic centimeters.
The gasoline engine was not brought to the presentation, since it will appear here only in a year, but they allowed us to try the diesel engine, although it will not be presented in Russia at all. It's a shame because the diesel car is very good. Yes, German motor rattles on Idling, but only those around you hear it - the sound insulation is excellent. The steering wheel is light, but you can’t blame it for lack of information content - you are always aware of what is happening with the steered wheels.
The suspension provides the optimal balance between comfort and sportiness. The Infiniti does an excellent job of filtering out gentle bumps, and impacts are only felt in sharp-edged potholes.
The lane monitoring system is active. That is, it not only warns about leaving the lane, but also independently turns the steering wheel, returning the car to the trajectory.
The dynamics are quite enough to feel comfortable in the city and on the highway, but in the mountains a problem arose. There is a noticeable pause between pressing the pedal and accelerating, during which you can easily say the phrase: “When will you start accelerating...”. And it’s not just a matter of turbo lag, but also the slowness of the machine.
However, even this cannot spoil the impressions of a perfectly tuned chassis. Driving this Infiniti along serpentine roads is a real thrill. It’s simply impossible to drive calmly! First, you press harder on the gas, then you start making turns, and after another couple of minutes, the passenger begins to read you a transcript based on the navigation picture.
The stabilization system is strictly configured. Any hint of slipping is suppressed.
The diesel Q50 is close to ideal sports sedan class "D". It is slightly inferior to the BMW “three ruble” in everything, but I would easily put Infiniti in second place in the class. Lexus IS and Volvo S60 are more boring to drive, Volvo with active suspension The Four-C is less comfortable, while the A4 is cramped in the back and the S-Tronic, installed on powerful versions, makes driving in city crowds jerky and not very comfortable. But diesel, as already mentioned, is not about us. In Russia, sales of the new product will start from hybrid version. Which left a completely different impression.
First Law
The first law of robotics, formulated in 1946 by Isaac Asimov, states that a robot cannot harm a person or, through inaction, allow a person to come to harm. The Q50 meets this law perfectly. Inaction is not about him. Japanese engineers taught the Infiniti sedan not only to accelerate and brake independently, but also to turn its wheels. Where is the world heading?
IN hybrid transmission two clutches. One is installed between the engine and the electric motor and turns off the first when driving on electric power to reduce losses. The second clutch disconnects the driveshaft from the box when starting the internal combustion engine on the move to reduce shock loads and increase comfort. Indeed, starting the engine is imperceptible.
In theory, there are many situations where an inexperienced driver can get into an accident precisely because everything that happens to the steered wheels is reflected on the steering wheel. The car is driving along a slope, it is being pulled towards the side of the road, and he is not sufficiently compensating for this with the steering wheel. Or, when changing lanes, the car gets into a rut and suddenly jerks sharply oncoming lane. Or it falls into a hole, and the impact causes the driver to jerk the steering wheel sharply.
When driving a Q50 equipped with DAS (Direct Active Steering), none of the above will happen. Since the steering wheel is physically separate from the wheels, you won't feel ANYTHING. Bumps, holes, ruts, hard joints - all this will be felt by your butt, but not by your hands! As a result, driving becomes both safer and more comfortable.
The Q50's DAS-equipped steering rack houses two electric motors ( 2 ), which turn the wheels according to orders electronic unit management. More precisely, three such blocks at once ( 1 ), constantly checking each other. Each of them analyzes data from a variety of sensors in real time (vehicle speed, steering angle, lateral acceleration, and so on) and orders the electric motors to turn the wheels to a particular angle. Even if two ECUs fail, the system will still work. But what if the third one refuses? For this case, the engineers retained... the steering shaft, into which they embedded a small clutch ( 3 ). In the normal position it is open, but when exiting DAS systems If it fails, it closes and the direct connection between the steering wheel and the wheels is restored.
The hybrid has an “electric steering wheel” already included in the base, and for other versions it is installed at an additional cost.
Brakes by wire
In 2001 Mercedes-Benz presented the SL roadster (R230) with the optional SBC (Sensotronic Brake Control) system, in which the distribution braking forces was in charge of electronics. The driver pressed the pedal, and the electronics, depending on the pedal stroke, made a decision about how much the brakes should be applied to one or another wheel. Moreover, when the gas was sharply thrown, the SBC brought the pads to the disc even before the moment the foot touched the brake pedal! However, during restyling in 2005, the Germans abandoned the use of this system, as they were tired of constant recall campaigns. The system was extremely unreliable and very expensive to maintain.
Another plus of DAS is the incredible sharpness of the steering. You just indicate your desire with a slight turn of the steering wheel, and the Q50 dives into a turn with the same enthusiasm as an agile terrier following a fox into a hole. Reactions are instant! Maneuvering in city traffic or on a highway turns into an incomparable pleasure - you can literally change the direction of movement with the movements of your fingers.
But as soon as you drive onto a twisted highway, you want to shout: “Give me back the steering wheel!” I not only don’t feel anything, I don’t understand anything!
Are the front wheels slipping or is there still traction? Is the front axle unloaded on the bend or, conversely, are the wheels pressed to the ground on the rise? The Infiniti Q50 steering wheel doesn't answer this question for me. In theory, DAS should simulate a loss of traction, for example on ice, by sharply reducing steering effort. But, obviously, this only works in the case of extreme changes in the toe. That's why my ass will tell me more about demolition than my hands. DAS makes the car safer, but kills its soul.
When driving evenly along the highway, the internal combustion engine is switched off, and the Q50 drives on electricity alone. If you gently press the pedal, you can accelerate a little even from a speed of 80 kilometers per hour!
Sebastian Vettel is the “brand ambassador” of Infiniti and, it seems, the main “closer” of cars of this brand. At least that's what they say...
Infiniti engineers say the Q50 Hybrid is a new embodiment of the sports sedan. In the promotional video, former Formula 1 driver Sebastian Buemi widens his eyes and speaks admiringly of the power of the hybrid powertrain, the strength of the regenerative brakes and the sharpness of DAS. Then he is replaced by Sebastian Vettel himself, racing around the Nordschleife with a smile. Super-Seb took part in the tuning of the Q50, and is said to be pleased with the results of his work.
But I don't believe it.
Because when braking I feel a step in the force, and when turning the steering wheel I always feel the same artificial heaviness. And at this moment it doesn’t matter to me what power the power plant has, and how much fuel I will save by buying such a car.
The rear-wheel drive hybrid turns noticeably when cornering. And he does it when you least expect it. But we don’t care - in Russia the hybrid Q50 will only be available with all-wheel drive, but he doesn’t allow himself such tricks.
The Q50 Hybrid is a very balanced car. It’s nice to slowly roll through the streets of Barcelona on electric power alone, so that only your whistle can be heard after the hot Catalans. It is safe and comfortable. Very comfortable. And its chassis is good. But this is not enough. To beat BMW, you need to awaken emotions, passion. The ambidextrous Q50 is like an actor who just wants to say: “I don’t believe it!”
And if for you a car is not just vehicle, and one of the emotional components of your life, then do not rush to buy a hybrid Q50 as soon as the sedan appears in dealer centers in April 2014. It is unlikely to be cheaper than 2.2 million rubles, and for this money it is better to take the Infiniti M. It is even more spacious, more comfortable and more honest. But in the third quarter next year You can safely give your rubles, dollars and euros to Infiniti sellers - after all, a Q50 with a two-liter gasoline turbo engine will appear in showrooms. And I am ready to believe him even in absentia. Because it will have no diesel pause, no hybrid pretense. Just drive.
In our time automobile manufacturers teaming up to release a truly cool product. This, for example, was the recently introduced Infiniti Q30 (redesigned by the Japanese Mercedes GLA), which was promised to be released within this year. At first glance, this is a strange collaboration, but once you look at the car more closely, you can believe in its superiority over its competitors. But that’s not the point...
Today in our test drive are just these two opposing, and maybe even keeping pace with, companies with their offspring: Mercedes C 250 and Infiniti Q50 with two-liter four-cylinder engines turbocharged and direct injection. Seven-speed automatic transmission, rear drive and even the same tires (though for some reason Infiniti has an SUV version for crossovers). It would seem that you are comparing, since both cars have the same engine, from the Daimler concern, as well as the 7G-Tronic transmission?
Believe it or not, there is another similarity - these are the two largest rear-wheel drive sedans in the segment. True, Infiniti is a little in the lead, its length is 4.8 m. The trunks of both are spacious (partly because instead of spare tires, both cars are equipped with run-flat tires): in the Q50 the volume reaches 500 liters, in the C 250 it is 20 liters less, but the shape of the compartment is more practical. By the way, on a basic Infiniti for 1,800,000 rubles the backrest rear seat stationary (folding in the proportion 60:40 - in the Premium configuration for 2,131,000 rubles), and on the C 250 it is divided into three parts in the proportion 40:20:40.
The back row of seats is spacious in both cars, but the third passenger in the middle will be a little uncomfortable. And it’s rare when you see a premium segment car completely filled with people, more like a driver and a passenger. In any case, Q50 passengers will be content with only air ducts, and on the C 250 there is the option of a third climate zone. But all these are trifles, Infiniti and Mercedes clients do not often pay attention to practicality, but if you are one of them, then look in the direction Ford Mondeo or Lexus ES. Well, Infiniti and Mercedes are more of a story about pleasure and even moderate selfishness.
Interior
The Mercedes-Benz design studio never ceases to amaze: the interiors of even modest versions of the C-Class look excellent. A radical minimum of buttons is left on the center console, and the control of “fine settings” is hidden in the menu on the 7-inch display. There isn’t even the usual volume knob: the passenger has a “roller” on the central tunnel, the driver has buttons on the steering wheel. The wooden center console is made from a single sheet of veneer, and the box cover in it is laser cut. The result is a perfect match of textures.
Infiniti offers two touch monitors at once (they are helped by a rotary switch like the Mercedes Comand puck): the upper one is 8 inches diagonal, the lower one is 7 inches. Both understand multitasking gestures. For example, you can enlarge the map with the usual gesture of two fingers, “spreading” it apart. On the bottom screen there are menu icons. They, like on a smartphone, can be dragged from place to place. There are applications for mail, Facebook and much more. The media library can be organized, like in an iPod, by artist, genre and any other data, including album cover (of course, the C-Class media system can do this too). Only stubborn retrogrades can say that the interface is unintuitive or difficult to master, but there is a special icon for them too: interactive instructions.
Mercedes also has this function, and those who are getting to know the brand for the first time will find it useful. It’s worth admitting: Comand’s polished and logical interface has become more complex and “multi-tiered” with the advent of many new functions; it is no longer as intuitive as it once was. However, those who have driven a Mercedes before will get the hang of it and probably won't even bother using the newfangled touchpad. And of course, it’s nice that now even the seat has so many settings that you can’t get enough “analog” buttons for them. Of course, the famous chair-shaped keys for the main adjustments remained in their usual place - on the door.
Infiniti also has some tricks. For example, auto mode seat heating operation - the degree of “roasting” gradually decreases. In short, it’s easier to admit a draw than to choose the best workplace driver (or is it better to say “user” now?). Surely both the Japanese and German concepts will find their fans.
The Q50 and C-Class also have purely technical highlights that are not yet available to competitors. Infiniti has Steer by Wire control: the steering wheel has no mechanical connection with the wheels, but only transmits signals to the electronics. It turns out that this is not a control element, but rather an input device akin to a joystick. But such a “remote control” is equipped with Q50 in configurations no lower than GT (2,391,000 rubles). In our configuration, the steering mechanism is normal.
The technical highlight of the C-Class will also not affect the comparison - our car does not have it. It's about air suspension Airmatic (an option for almost 100,000 rubles), which no one else in the class offers.
And again we have to state the similarities: we have two sedans with electric power steering and spring suspensions with active shock absorbers. When will the differences begin?
Distinguishing
And then they appeared. Mercedes is strange differs from itself in a way - from the delightfully smooth versions with air suspension and from the image of a “Mercedes” written down somewhere in the subcortex. The ride is quite harsh (and this can’t be attributed to runflat tires - the tires are winter!): not exactly bumpy, but sportily elastic. On a smooth road it’s a pleasure, on a bumpy road you want to slow down. Only studded tires break through the silence into the cabin; there is no aerodynamic noise.Otherwise, everything is familiar: “relaxed” in the near-zero zone, but perfectly “transparent” steering wheel and excessive equanimity power unit in standard Comfort mode. The C-Class has enough torque from the turbo engine to spare, but in order to shake up the electronic throttle and thrifty automatic transmission, it is better to immediately switch to Sport - not for active driving, but for a comfortable existence in nervous city traffic.
Here comes the revelation! With the initial data as close as possible, Infiniti turns out to be completely different on the move. Excellent control, invigorating engine sound (it is not muffled here, but other noises, alas, too)... And if Mercedes at the limit (and in winter the grip reserve is quickly selected) exhibits slight understeer, then Infiniti willingly sweeps its tail!
The Q50 is an instigator, a real treat for the enthusiast driver. Not in the literal sense, of course. However, its price compared to the C 250 is no less attractive than its gambling character. The basic configuration includes halogen headlights and fabric trim (on the C 250 - LEDs and leather), but there is a dual-zone climate control system and a rear view camera. Mercedes is equipped more richly, but at the price of the base C 250, Infiniti will also LED headlights, and leather seats with memory, and navigation system, and function keyless entry, and 18-inch wheels, and a luxurious Bose audio system. The C-Class will still have the complex preventive systems security. However, this is not the case when a list of equipment will help you make a choice. One trip is enough to sway you... Believe me, they are both good. Choose your character.
Let's digress a little
The aggressive nature of the Infiniti Q50 would be a great fit for a sports coupe. And this was just presented at. The Q60 shares a platform with the “fifty” and takes over the baton of the glorious G37s sports car. The two-liter turbo engine (it is not yet known whether the coupe will receive a 211-horsepower version or a more powerful 245-horsepower version) and a 7-speed automatic transmission are the same as Mercedes ones. There is also a new V6 3.0 with twin turbocharging, developing 305 or 405 hp, depending on the degree of boost. (these engines will also be installed on the Q50). The drive is rear-wheel drive by default, but the options list also includes all-wheel drive transmission. Those interested are asked to wait until the summer when the Infiniti Q60 goes on sale.
But Mercedes does not stand aside either. It offers C-CIass in a sleek two-door body style, and Russian prices on the coupe have already been announced. Basic model From 180 in the Special Series (this equipment includes a 7-band automatic transmission, LED headlights and a automatic parking) costs 2,350,000 rubles. Modification C 300, equipped with a 2.0-liter engine producing 245 hp. will cost at least 2,750,000 rubles, and the most powerful (510 hp) version of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 costs at least 4,990,000 rubles. The rear-wheel drive coupe accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Not confirmed, but a C 43 4Matic version with a 367-horsepower V6 3.0 and all-wheel drive is expected.
