When it comes to large luxury sedans, it's pretty hard not to think of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8. But there's a whole slew of other participants.

THINK: The Lexus LS, the Cadillac XTS, Acura RLX, Jaguar XJ and, lastly, the Infiniti Q70.

Pebble Beach Concours Weekend

So, how has Nissan's luxury division decided to differentiate itself? Well, it brought along the Q70L last year. This is a long wheelbase Q70 and after recently getting behind the wheel I have to admit it's pretty impressive given its aggressive pricing.

But don't spike the football just yet. Infiniti has decided to keep upping the ante by introducing the world to the new Q70 Premium Select Edition at this weekend's Pebble Beach event.

What makes this Premium Select Edition so special? Let me explain. If I am honest, there's not much but it does receive new exterior trim bits and wheels. On the inside it receives semi-aniline leather seats, special aluminum trim, illuminated door sills and floor mats featuring contrasting piping. The company's press release says it gets a "suede-like" but I have no idea what that means. Is it Alcantara or is it something else?

Anyway, you can order yours from your local Infiniti dealer come November.


Pebble Beach Concours Weekend














Infiniti's press release follows:

2016 Infiniti Q70 Premium Select Edition debuts at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Infiniti today announced that the new 2016 Infiniti Q70 Premium Select Edition will be on display this week in the Infiniti Pavilion at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The specially equipped Q70 premium sedan will be available at Infiniti retailers nationwide beginning in November.

"Following the introduction last year of the new Infiniti Q70 long-wheelbase model, we are continuing to expand our flagship Q70 sedan's portfolio of offerings," said Randy Parker, vice president, Infiniti Americas. "The new Premium Select Edition package gives the Q70 an extra touch of premium elegance that is right at home here at Pebble Beach – or in any neighborhood or driveway across the country."

The Q70 Premium Select Edition's exterior offers dark chrome trim, a darkened lower rear bumper, a rear decklid spoiler and unique design and color 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/40R20 all-season performance tires.

The interior of the Q70 Premium Select Edition is highlighted by unique Graphite or Stone semi-aniline leather seating, suede-like headliner, aluminum interior trim, illuminated kickplates and floor mats with contrasting piping.

The Premium Select Edition is offered on standard wheelbase Q70 3.7, Q70 3.7 AWD, Q70 5.6 and Q70 5.6 AWD models (non-Hybrid).

jeffgall - 8/16/2015 10:34:17 AM

+1 Boost

Desperately needs a complete redo. So far behind the competition.

TomM - 8/16/2015 11:14:43 AM

+1 Boost

I am sorry - but I continue to see the Lexus and Infiniti as well as the Audi - as second tier premium cars - along the lines of Volvo and Buick.
While Lexus pushed the right buttons in the past for their target older audience - the cow-catcher grill seems to be an abandonment of that group - without a hint of what other groups will BUY the Lexus. Infiniti never really had a "look" that I cared to drive =- neither does Audi.

There is simply nothing "Special" (Buick pun intended) - about these premium vehicles that makes we want to have one. And there is nothing inherent in any of them that makes me choose them over a Buick. Most of them have luxurious interiors and look Hideous or Blah outside.

Car4Life - 8/16/2015 3:38:36 PM

+2 Boost

I agree to a point however Infiniti had the potential to keep compete with the big boys when they launched the 1st generation G35 coupe/sedan.

The G35 was THE BEST sounding thing in it's class, ate up most the competition in sprints, and snatched up nearly every award their was.

Then Infinit followed up with the FX 35, again, NO ONE made an SUV that sounded that damn good at the time and its looks were ahead of its time.

Infiniti LACKS Consistency, they do not know how to expand on the success of certain models, following that formula throughout their line up.

Their problem is similar to Cadillac's in which they seem content on producing ONE hard hitting model per decade and then play the blame game on their parent company and leadership.

PUGPROUD - 8/16/2015 6:14:59 PM

0 Boost

Ho hum.

wileyz - 8/16/2015 9:38:28 PM

+1 Boost

Seriously? You're comparing this to an S, 750 and A8. What did Infiniti pay you for this article???

arrowmg - 8/17/2015 10:44:43 PM

+3 Boost

Exactly! I'm an Infiniti guy and even I raised an eyebrow when I saw that. The Q70 is a 5, GS, E-class, and A6 competitor, adding a L version doesn't really change the spirit of what it really is. It certainly doesn't compete in the class of an S, or 7 series, etc.

To the guy Tom3 the M (I mean Q70), drives nor handles nothing like a buick, volvo, lexus nor any mainstream car for that matter. I get it you non-car guys see that it's made by the Japanese and you're still assuming they're interchangeable and hanging on to your warmed-over 1990s Camry/Maxima/Altima arguments. Please do your-self a favor and go to the dealer and take one out for a day - merely a nice interior it is not.

W124E320 - 8/17/2015 3:50:21 PM

+1 Boost

yawn..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz