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Infiniti Q60 vs Audi A5: How the 2016 Coupé Took On the Germans
In January 2016 Infiniti presented the second-generation Q60 coupé at the Detroit motor show, a year after showing the concept there. It targeted the Audi A5 and S5, the BMW 4 Series, the Lexus RC and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé with new turbocharged engines of up to 298 kW (406 PS). The Q60 reached Europe in October 2016 and was built until 2022.
Key takeaways
- Premiere: Detroit, January 2016, a year after the concept.
- Engines: a Mercedes-sourced 2.0 turbo with 155 kW (211 PS) and a new 3.0 twin-turbo V6 with 224 kW (304 PS) or 298 kW (406 PS).
- Seven-speed automatic, optional all-wheel drive and Infiniti's steer-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering.
- Infiniti left Western Europe in 2020, and Q60 production ended after the 2022 model year.
What Infiniti showed in Detroit in 2016
Its predecessor, also called Q60, was the former G Coupé (V36) with a 3.7-litre V6, renamed when Infiniti switched to its Q and QX names. The new coupé took its sharp lines and low roof from the 2015 Q60 Concept.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Infiniti Q60, second generation (V37) |
| Production version shown | Detroit motor show, January 2016 |
| Plant | Tochigi, Japan |
| European sales | From October 2016, as the 2017 model year |
| Production ended | After the 2022 model year |
Infiniti Q60 engines and steer-by-wire
| Version | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0t | 2.0 turbo four-cylinder (Mercedes-Benz) | 155 kW (211 PS) | 350 Nm |
| 3.0t | 3.0 twin-turbo V6 (VR30DDTT) | 224 kW (304 PS) | 400 Nm |
| Red Sport 400 | 3.0 twin-turbo V6, higher boost | 298 kW (406 PS) | 475 Nm |
The four-cylinder came from the Renault-Nissan cooperation with Daimler, the partnership behind the Infiniti Q30. The new V6 replaced the old 3.7-litre unit, and every version used a seven-speed automatic. The most debated feature was Direct Adaptive Steering, which turns the front wheels with electric motors and keeps a clutch-operated column only as a backup. Many testers found its feel artificial.
Context: the Audi A5 and other rivals
Audi unveiled its new A5 and S5 Coupé on 2 June 2016, a few months after the Q60. By our calculation the Red Sport 400 had 38 kW more than the S5, about 15 % more power.
| Class | Infiniti Q60 (2016) | Audi A5 / S5 Coupé (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Four-cylinder petrol | 2.0t: 155 kW (211 PS) | 2.0 TFSI: up to 185 kW (252 PS) |
| Six-cylinder | 3.0t: 224 kW (304 PS) | S5 3.0 V6 turbo: 260 kW (354 PS) |
| Top version | Red Sport 400: 298 kW (406 PS) | S5 |
| Diesel | Not offered | Offered in Europe |
In Europe the Audi had the edge with diesels, quattro drive, more dealers and stronger resale values. You can set the Q60 and its rivals side by side with the 1cars comparison tool and see where they fall in the ranking of the most powerful coupés.
What happened next with the Q60
At the 2017 Geneva show Infiniti presented Project Black S, a hybrid Q60 developed with the Renault Formula One team; the project was cancelled in March 2021. Infiniti announced its exit from Western Europe in 2019 and left in 2020, so the Q60 was sold there for only about three model years. The A5 Coupé also ended when Audi moved the A5 name to its former A4 saloon in July 2024.
The full model story is on the Infiniti Q60 page, and the brand's European exit is covered in the history of Infiniti.
Buying a Q60 in Europe today
The brand has no dealers in most EU countries now. A used Q60 is a rare import. For most buyers, the 3.0t with all-wheel drive is the best balance, while the Red Sport 400 is the performance choice.
FAQ
When did the second-generation Infiniti Q60 come out?
Infiniti presented it at the Detroit motor show in January 2016, after a concept in January 2015. European sales began in October 2016 as the 2017 model year.
What engine does the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 have?
It uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 (VR30DDTT) with 298 kW (406 PS) and 475 Nm. A seven-speed automatic sends the power to the rear or all four wheels.
Is the Infiniti Q60 faster than the Audi S5?
On paper the Red Sport 400 had more power: 298 kW against 260 kW for the 2016 Audi S5. Power is only part of the picture, because the S5 came with quattro all-wheel drive while many Q60s were rear-driven.
Is the Infiniti Q60 still made?
No. Production ended after the 2022 model year, and Infiniti had already left Western Europe in 2020. The brand now concentrates on SUVs, so the Q60 has no direct successor.
