In World War I and World War II, the allies used boats that looked like civilian vessels but were heavily armored and heavily armed. The idea was to draw the enemy close enough and then let them have it.
The 2020 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD is exactly that, in automotive form. Rare enough not to have developed a reputation as fearsome among the uninitiated and not that different in appearance from other mid-size Asian coupes that are far less powerful.
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 making 400 horsepower and 350 pounds per foot of torque. With a seven-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, it's good for 0-60 times of 4.5 seconds. The EPA fuel economy estimate is 19 city/26 highway.
That 400 horsepower is a 100 hp bump over the standard Q60 coupe. There's also manual shift mode with downshift rev matching, a dynamic digital independent front and rear suspension, 20-inch aluminum-alloy sport wheels, all-season performance tires, zero-lift aerodynamics, selectable drive modes, fast-ratio electronic power steering and exclusive Red Sport 400 exhaust tips. If that's not quite enough, Infiniti is now offering axle-back sport exhaust kits through its parts department.
Even stock, the sound is exhilarating, as is the acceleration and handling. This is a grand tourer that, with the right road and the correct drive mode setting, has the soul of a race car.
Base price for the 2020 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD is $59,150. The window sticker is at the end of this review so you can see the full list, but among the standard equipment at that price are dual-zone automatic temperature control, semi-aniline leather-appointed seats with contrast stitching, a power sliding tinted glass moonroof, remote engine start and a 13-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system.
Our tester also had extra-cost options, including a $310 cargo package, $420 illuminated kick plates, $465 for welcome lighting, $510 for interior ambient lighting, $2,280 for a carbon fiber trim package and $1,790 for an upgrade to 20-inch five-spoke dual-finish wheels.
With $1,025 destination charges, the as-tested price comes to $65,950. A week in the 2020 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD provided ample justification for the price. This is a serious performance car that whispers instead of shouts---until it's too late for the guy who just challenged you to a race.
