The good news is that when I arrived at service, Thomas was waiting with papers in hand and a pen. I signed the work order, the loaner papers, and off I went. I was given a black Q50. I usually get a Q50 or a QX60 so I got in, set the seat wayyyyyy back and wayyyyyyy down since it's a car not built for a 6' 4" muscular rugby driver, and drifted to the exit of the car lot. I remember seeing the red "S 3.0" on the fender, but gave it little thought. I guess maybe I was expecting a slightly less comfy ride than a normal Q50 since it was the sport model.
When there was a break in oncoming traffic, I mashed the pedal to turn onto the road and .......
SCREEEEETCH ! Both rear wheels screaming as the car took off like a rocket!
Now a 3.0 engine is not a slouch, but BLOODY NORA ... this this thing flew!
Turns out, I was given a Q50 RED SPORT! It was then that I noticed the car had features rarely seen in my previous Q50 loaners. Memory seats, true quilted leather with leg extensions, electric steering wheel, and Bose surround sound system. In true Inifniti nonsense, no rear or side window shades and no folding side mirrors, but that is to be expected. Inifniti have always had the most daft designers for creature comforts - ignoring or even dropping popular perks that the previous models came with as standard. This is a RED SPORT with the fancy rifle (squashed oval) exhaust tips, rear diffuser, large wheels and bright red calipers ... but no rear deck spoiler??? Welcome to half-wit design 101.
A few pics:
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I used my look-up and the VIN to get the official window sticker:
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Back to the drive home. It was an absolute pleasure to drive 'with spirit' from lane to lane around the many blue hairs and pensioners who clog up the roadway in the early daytime hours.
I decided to go back out later, after the rush hour traffic was finished on the freeway. This beast WANTS to go fast and crazy!. I was truly amazed at the acceleration for passing, even when I was already doing 70mph! Even in "SPORT" or "SPORT PLUS MODE" The grip was fabulous, the steering and handling were both top notch. It was also more quiet at high speeds than I expected, and very quiet on surface roads. Still lots of plastics on the dash, doors, console panels, but generally speaking, the interior does make a nice impression.
That said, I would still never own one. Just too cramped and too much plastic (although it is NOT cheap american style plastic) for me. OH ... and the cup holder is a smidge too small to fit my water bottle. That is a bridge too far, LOL
I can't work out how a Q50 red sport was added to the loaner vehicles. This was a 2018 with 1,943 miles. My dealer actually BUYS a number of cars each year to be used specifically as loaner vehicles. They don't use trade-ins or used vehicles and turn them into loaners. Thomas told me they have at least 2 other red sports that were received recently and placed into service. He even has 4 brand new QX80's in his fleet, but no 2019 Q70s - just a few 2017 L models which will soon become CPO specials in the pre-owned vehicle lot.