By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The Infiniti Q60 sports coupe is aging gracefully with a great combination of satisfying performance and point-and-shoot handling together with an exhaust note that will get the juices flowing. Throw in an exterior that we still consider cool and sexy and you have a sports car that will make you look good.

Q60 is the new name for the G37, which got its last complete makeover in 2008. Since then, the four-place coupe has received styling tweaks and upgrades, including a mild refresh in 2011 and a new G designation, minus the 37. In 2014 the coupe was endowed with its new Q60 name as part of Infiniti's new head-scratching naming structure.



While there’s a new Q60 on the horizon, for 2015 the coupe gets a new Limited trim level that adds 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels (real head-turners), black grille, black mirror caps, black trunk lid spoiler, paddle shifters and interior contrast stitching. All the stuff found on lesser trims including the performance upgrades also comes to the Limited including sport-tuned suspension, quicker steering ratio, larger brakes, a limited-shift differential, and solid magnesium paddle shifters.

If you think that the Q60 has gone beyond its "fresh date," take a spin in a 2015 copy and we think you will be surprised how well it stands up to the growing competition. We've driven several copies since its 2008 makeover and we've always marveled at how delightful the car felt including charging through our usual "back-road test track." The combination of performance, ride quality and handling is noteworthy — and, oh that wonderful exhaust note, an exhilarating sound that's missing from some of the new sports coupes including the Lexus RC 350.

The Infiniti soldiers on with Nissan's 3.7-liter V-6 making 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque mated to a seven-speed automatic with the aforementioned paddle shifters. A six-speed manual can also be ordered on the Limited trim for those very few people who still relish shifting for themselves.

Back in 2008 when the V-6 was introduced it was among the swiftest in the segment. While it has fallen below mid-pack today, it still offers very adequate forward momentum. The Q60 has been measured from 0-to-60 in around 5.5 seconds and the quarter mile in the upper reaches of 13 seconds. That's a tick or two quicker than the all-new Lexus RC 350 and on par with the 4 Series BMW. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive can be ordered.

Where the Infiniti loses a bit of ground to the Lexus and BMW products is in gas mileage, which is rated at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 mpg overall on premium gas; although many owners have reported that they've been hard-pressed to reach those numbers.

Standard safety includes a rearview camera and such modern items as frontal collision preparation, rear parking sensors and air pressure monitor. But such common-place safety items as blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are not available.

The Q60 Coupe's interior design features excellent craftsmanship, with a cockpit-oriented front and a full-length center console with a leather and aluminum-clad shifter. “Silk Obi” aluminum interior trim adds a unique look to the instrument panel and door panels as well. The instrument panel includes electroluminescent instrumentation with white illumination and integrated multi-function information drive computer display with standard wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Solid magnesium paddle shifters are available for the 7-speed automatic transmission. Buttons and knobs are blessedly available for operating the climate and audio systems. No matter how hard manufacturers seek the "next best thing" there is still no replacement for easy-to-use knobs and buttons.

We found the optional Bose premium audio system music to our ears. It includes 11 speakers, CD player with MP3 playback capability and satellite radio.

While the Q60 is an outstanding driver's car, it is not designed for hauling more than two people. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, but rear seating is extremely tight. We found it a good place to toss the briefcase and laptop bag. Fortunately the seatbacks can be folded down because the trunk has only a small 7.4 cubic-foot cargo capacity.

The Q60 comes in four main trim levels — Q60 Journey, Q60 AWD, Q60S and Q60 Limited starting at $41,855. That base price brings considerable standard equipment including 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and cruise control. The Limited adds virtually everything available including navigation, the upgraded audio system, and all the go-fast goodies for $51,125 including destination charge.

Essentials
Base price: $41,855; as driven, $51,125
Engine: 3.7-liter V-6
Horsepower: 330 @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 270 foot-pounds @ 5,200 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Drive: rear wheel
Seating: 2/2
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 183.7 inches
Curb weight: 3,633 pounds
Turning circle: 36.7 feet
Luggage capacity: 7.4 cubic feet
Fuel capacity: 20 gallons (premium)
EPA rating: 27 highway, 19 city, 22 combined
0-60: 5.5 seconds (Car and Driver)
Also consider: Lexus RC 350, BMW 4-Series, Cadillac ATS Coupe

The Good
• Good performance from V-6
• Sharp handling
• User-friendly controls

The Bad
• Cramped rear seats

The Ugly
• Some safety features missing