 |
| © Motor Trend Staff 2019 Infiniti fully electric crossover |
From Motor Trend
Infiniti
will celebrate its 30th year as a brand in January when it shows a
concept previewing its first fully electric vehicle at the North
American International Auto Show in Detroit. It was at the 1989 NAIAS
that the brand made its international debut with the Q45.
The SUV concept to be shown next month shows the design direction for future Infiniti models in keeping with the plan to electrify all models across the lineup starting in 2021.
They will be a mix of pure EVs and e-power hybrids which use a small
gasoline engine to charge the battery. The automaker is developing a new electric platform for future models.
 |
| © Motor Trend Staff |
Last year in Detroit, Infiniti showed the Q Inspiration concept sedan
with a shorter front end and larger cabin to reflect the design changes
possible with smaller engines or electric motors as future propulsion
which require a smaller engine bay or none at all. The design also
reflected the impact of autonomous driving on how interior space is
crafted and the need for greater connectivity for occupants.
Electric power makes new vehicle proportions possible, said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president for global design at Nissan
Motor Co. The concept's design is described as a mix of simplicity and
technology inspired by Japanese culture. The idea was first explored in
the Q Inspiration and Prototype 10 shown at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
 |
| © Motor Trend Staff |
"The concept car we will show in Detroit is the beginning of a new
era for Infiniti and an illustration of where we want to go with the
brand," said Karim Habib, Infiniti's executive design director.
But before things go electric, the brand will expand its innovative VC-Turbo variable-compression-ratio gas engine by adding a sporty variant of the Infiniti QX50.
COMMENTS