Why suffer the ordinary styling, agility, posh, and driving panache of Infiniti’s Q60 compact sports-oriented luxury convertible when you can get the Japanese automaker’s super-sporty Q60 IPL drop-top? Available in a single rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Base trim, and, for 2015, only in convertible form, the Q60 IPL offers all the bennies of its more commuter-oriented Q60 cousin with some unique styling touches, a tweaked V6-dominated powertrain, and an IPL (Infiniti Performance Line) sport-tuned suspension. Meanwhile, as you may have noted, the Q60 IPL Coupe has been dropped for this year. This latest Q60 IPL, by the way, along with its non-IPL kinfolk, each garner the “Q” designation as a result of Infiniti’s re-branding efforts for the 2014 model year. Think of this newest edition of the Q60 IPL convertible, therefore, as sort of a modernized G37 IPL. Be advised, however, that the Q60 IPL drop-top will set you back a hefty chunk of change compared with, say, the Q60 non-IPL base coupe.

Styling upgrades for this open-air high-end people-hauler, meanwhile, include a more aggressive grille and front fascia, distinctive IPL badges and wheels, sport front seats, and a pair of unique interior hues, Graphite and Monaco Red.

Power-wise, look for the 2015 Q60 IPL to again boast a tweaked 3.7-liter V6 engine that throws down 348 hp and 276 lb-ft of torque (as opposed to 330 hp and 270 lb-ft/torque in the regular Q60). All this grunt is managed by the standard 7-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which again hosts steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Expect 18 mpg city/26 highway from the V6, while a reconfigured exhaust system reduces exhaust pressure in the IPL variant to help add those extra ponies and pounds. It should be noted here that more than a few reviewers remain disappointed at the IPL’s lack of a manual transmission offering and that several independent track tests found the IPL’s 0-60 times dead even with the non-IPL Q60’s scoot.

Moving on, appearance features for the 2015 Q60 IPL include 19-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, an aerodynamic body kit with a rear spoiler, and the above-mentioned sport-tuned suspension. Sport-tuned steering, heated power-adjustable and power-folding mirrors, and a power-opening 3-panel hardtop convertible roof also grace this posh people-hauler’s profile.

Inside, look for this spiffy sun-seeker to offer 11.8 cubic feet of trunk space with the top up. Top-down toting capacity, however, drops to 2.5 cubic feet, but you’ll be able to fit a couple of small friends or family members in the tiny rear seats, all but an impossibility with the top up.

Interior comfort and convenience goodies include climate-controlled power-adjustable leather-trimmed sport front seats with memory for driver’s settings, full power accessories, aluminum pedals, cruise control, and power-adjustable telescoping tilt-wheel steering. Additionally, look for a remote garage door opener, a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, and dual-zone auto climate control to once again grace the high-end cabin.

Techno-goodies in the 2015 Q60 IPL include hard-drive-based navigation, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system that sports satellite radio, auxiliary audio input, and Bluetooth music streaming, all under the auspices of the Infiniti Controller’s 7-inch infotainment display.

Meantime, options for this plush screamer are limited to accessories like R Spec high-friction brake pads, a Midnight Black grille, ambient interior lighting, and all-season floor mats.

Finally, standard safety equipment in the 2015 Q60 IPL convertible includes 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), front side-mounted airbags, door-mounted head curtain airbags, front fog/driving lights, pop-up roll bars, and a remote antitheft alarm.