Infiniti SUV Concept for Detroit Previews Brand's First Electric Vehicle

0 0 Friday, December 14, 2018 Edit this post

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.

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.

"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.