Car review: Driving the Infiniti Q70 Luxe in the UAE

Starting from Dhs176,000

EVERY SO OFTEN we receive a car we don't even really need to try because we are aware of how the experience will play out. Like watching an episode of BBC's Sherlock, or listening to a Chili Peppers album, the individual intricacies may be surprising, but overall you realise the encounter will be solid. In the same vein, scanning the vast ocean of saloons out there, we wouldn't call the more upmarket Infiniti brand 'ordinary', though we're smugly secure in our expectations for the Q70 Luxe: it'll be powerful and lovely. Cue arrogant look to camera - we were correct. Not only were we greeted with typical bursts of Infiniti speed, the immediate surroundings were all par for the course; leather trim, more space in the back than its contemporaries and a comfortable driving position. What more can we say? The same attributes are present across the whole line. Oh okay, here's a bit more for you.
What do you get under the bonnet?
In short a 3.7-litre, six cylinder motor pumping out 330hp. Hooked up to rear-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission, that's plenty of heft to have a bit of fun. The 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds isn't hyper fast, but if you're in the market for an adult executive saloon chances are you're not going drag racing over the weekends. At least not in your everyday car. What this engine will endow you with is the confidence to take on the fast lane and stay there. Fancy simply putting your foot down and taking the last 500m home a bit quicker than usual (what is up with that?)? This car won't struggle. Over all, not only does the Q70 possess the 'oomph' we anticipated, it is everything you'd expect too.
And inside?
Again what can we say that you don't already know? It's spacious with 500-litres of boot space. Each passenger will feel as if their personal limousine service has been commissioned and the driver will be snug as a bug in a rug. The steering is so light it requires almost no effort plus, you have all the Nissan developed technology at your fingertips. We thought the cameras were particularly noteworthy, as was the dual-zone auto climate control system - it was August after all!
Taking it around
No problems to report. Everything ran like clockwork. The corners were not taken with much velocity, though even if they had been, body roll would have been virtually non-existent. Parking was an absolute dream as a result of the aforementioned tech and the vehicle's suspension made the ride as soft as a feather. We can't pretend the car turned many heads, but again, that's not what this segment is for. You're a grown-up now. Drive like one.
Engine: 3.7-litre
Power: 330hp
0-100km/h: 6.2 secs
Price: Dhs176,000
david@khaleejtimes.com