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AUTO REVIEW

2018 Infiniti Q50

By Stephen Schutz, MD

Infiniti, not generally known for powertrain leadership, recently special powers of clairvoyance to predict that it won’t be long before
introduced the most important new internal combustion engine in that engine finds its way into most Infinitis, including the Q50.
many years, the variable compression ratio KR20 2.0L four-cylinder Introduced in 2013, the Q50 is a mid-size luxury sedan that com-
engine, which debuted earlier this year in the QX50 crossover. It’s petes with the likes of the BMW 3-series, Audi A4, and Jaguar XE.
worth noting that, while all industry experts agree that the future of The exterior design is best described as creased contemporary with
automotive propulsion belongs to electric motors, the internal com- a distinctive Japanese sensibility. And while the Q50 maintains an
bustion engine isn’t dead yet, and as long as advances like Infiniti’s understated three-box sedan profile, it adds visual interest with many
new engine keep happening, it may have many years of life left. character lines on the sides and hood, a bold grille, and aggressively
Without nerding out too much, gasoline engines burn fuel more canted headlights.
efficiently at high-compression ratios, but those elevated ratios en- Inside, the Q50 features standard Infiniti fare such as modern
danger the engine when it’s being pushed, so engineers have to take electronics with an ergonomic touch screen user interface aug-
numerous fuel-wasting steps, including actually injecting more fuel, mented by many redundant knobs and buttons. No, the tech isn’t as
to keep the combustion chamber from getting too hot under stress. good as the current automotive benchmark, Audi, but it’s as good
The KR20’s ability to use a high (14:1) compression ratio in light load as anything from Lexus or Cadillac.
situations and a low (8:1) one when you’re in a hurry allows for max- Infiniti cabin materials have typically lagged behind the com-
imal efficiency under all conditions. Obviously, developing a variable petition, and I was pleased to note that they have raised their game
compression engine is supremely difficult or it would have been done significantly in this area. Better surfaces and an attractive diamond
earlier, and I applaud Nissan/Infiniti for their achievement. stitching on the upholstery are welcome upgrades in the newest
On to the subject of this month’s review, the Infiniti Q50, which Q50s.
ironically is not available with the KR20 engine. No matter, the Q50 The 2018 Infiniti Q50 comes with three different engine options;
is a nice car that I’m happy to write about, and one doesn’t need any a 208HP (Mercedes sourced) 2.0-liter turbo-four, a 300HP 3.0-liter,

44 San Antonio Medicine • July 2018