Infiniti To Reveal An Electric Crossover Concept At Detroit: Comments

[William Maley]

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Infiniti will be debuting another electric concept at next month's Detroit Auto Show. The Japanese automaker has released a teaser showing off a curvaceous crossover. The details we can pull from this image include slim LED headlights, light-up badging, cameras taking the place of the side-view mirrors, and a sloping roofline.

"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. Electrification and other new technologies have given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy," said Karim Habib, Executive Design Director, INFINITI in a statement.

The concept will also debut a new modular platform that was built with electrification in mind. The platform, expected to debut on a production model in 2021, will be able to use parallel hybrid and pure electric powertrains. 

Source: Infiniti

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On Road to Electrification, INFINITI previews future fully-electric crossover, Showcases new EV platform

• North American International Auto Show world premiere of future fully-electric INFINITI crossover
• INFINITI to showcase a new EV platform
• INFINITI celebrating 30 years in 2019

HONG KONG – INFINITI will preview a vision for its first fully-electric crossover at The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January, revealing a new form design language for electrification, infused with Japanese DNA. INFINITI made its global debut 30 years ago at the NAIAS.

The advent of electrified platforms heralds a fresh approach to what crossover and sedan platforms look like, both inside and out. With new exterior proportions, electrification also gifts interior space, enabling spacious, and lounge-like interiors, rich in welcoming and assistive technologies.

In January, the company announced INFINITI would electrify its portfolio from 2021 onward, using either e-power (serial hybrid) or pure EV powertrains.

"Thirty years ago, as a 24-year old designer in the audience, I saw the birth of INFINITI in person and am proud to be part of the journey of creating iconic luxury automobiles," said Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President for Global Design, Nissan Motor Co. "Now, 30 years later, Q Inspiration shows how new proportions triggered by the new electrified power of INFINITI has inspired a new direction, a new visual language. Alongside our Prototype 10 Pebble Beach Concept, both designs embody a deep simplicity inspired by the technology within and a new artistry inspired by our unique culture and of course our roots in Japan."

The Q Inspiration, revealed at the 2018 NAIAS, and Prototype 10, seen at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d 'Elegance, both provided elements of a futuristic design language. At the 2019 NAIAS in January, these elements will come together to provide the clearest vision yet of the future of INFINITI in an era of electrified design.

"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. Electrification and other new technologies have given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy," said Karim Habib, Executive Design Director, INFINITI.

"The industry is at a technological inflection point," said Roland Krueger, Chairman and Global President of INFINITI Motor Co. "As such, INFINITI has a compelling vision as a luxury challenger brand to bring a full portfolio of beautifully-designed electric vehicles to customers around the world. We will focus on developing the full portfolio of e-power and EVs."

INFINITI recently reported the best November sales in the brand's 29-year history.

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[David]

That looks HOT! Very excited to see what they show.

[ocnblu]

Resembles a turd that's been in the desert for 23 years, baking in the sun.  See?  It's turned black.

[riviera74]

One question: where is the Cadillac equivalent?

[A Horse With No Name]

On 12/14/2018 at 8:09 PM, riviera74 said:

One question: where is the Cadillac equivalent?

Or the Lincoln equivalent?

On 12/14/2018 at 7:25 PM, ocnblu said:

Resembles a turd that's been in the desert for 23 years, baking in the sun.  See?  It's turned black.

I love the rational and thoughtful responses here at C and G.

On 12/14/2018 at 11:21 AM, dfelt said:

That looks HOT! Very excited to see what they show.

Yes, but In finity's design language of everything that reaches actual production is rather ungainly. Hard pass based on finalized product appearance of everything they have released since....the beginning of production.

[Drew Dowdell]

I like Infiniti spelled out across the front and that they put depth into the Infiniti logo.  I've seen that on their other concepts.

[ccap41]

On 12/17/2018 at 12:57 PM, A Horse With No Name said:

Or the Lincoln equivalent?

They don't have a full EV but the Aviator is going to be a hybrid with "at least 30 miles of electric range". 

Edited December 27, 2018 by ccap41

[Drew Dowdell]

48 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

They don't have a full EV but the Aviator is going to be a hybrid with "at least 30 miles of electric range". 

Hybrids are still where it's at for now in terms of electrification.... especially with the output the Aviator GT is promising. 

[A Horse With No Name]

55 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

They don't have a full EV but the Aviator is going to be a hybrid with "at least 30 miles of electric range". 

Good for them!

5 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Hybrids are still where it's at for now in terms of electrification.... especially with the output the Aviator GT is promising. 

Indeed...

[ccap41]

9 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Hybrids are still where it's at for now in terms of electrification.... especially with the output the Aviator GT is promising. 

I completely agree. A hybrid that offers 100% EV mode is perfect, imo. 

[smk4565]

I think the electric crossover concepts are going to be the hot thing over the next year or 2 of auto shows, with all these brands getting multiple on market in the early 2020s.  It will be like a tidal wave.   Tesla is outselling Infiniti, Acura, Lincoln, and Cadillac now, they outsold Audi in the USA in 2018 and Tesla is selling more expensive cars than those 5 are.  

 

[David]

So the QX which was to be shown today decided to be finicky and not drive out after the video. Kinda funny. I like the sleek look, but then it is only an update to the X that was shown with a turbo 4 banger last time and now is fully electric.

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1OyKAyomWloKb