Well, this certainly looks like a concept, doesn't it? From the wide, portal-esque door opeings to the boattail rear window design, there's just so much about the Infiniti Q80 Inspiration that looks like it would never actually reach production that we're impressed the automaker had the gumption to put the machine together and show it off at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.

This marks the first time that Infiniti has shown any sort of real intent to enter into the rarefied air of the fullsize luxury sedan segment since the Q45, populated as it is by the likes of the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Those are extremely heavy hitters to market against, and Infiniti sounds anxious to throw its hat in the ring.

"We aim to do this with elegance, style, and emotion," says Francois Bancon, Infiniti Vice President, Product Strategy. "This car is making a statement. Q80 Inspiration is a precursor of a production model in this segment and, as such, integral to our future."

Infiniti says we should expect to see production powertrains within the next two years that use the kind of technology debuted in the Q80 Inspiration. A twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V6 engine is paired with one or more (details are scarce, sadly) electric motors to provide 550 horsepower and on-demand all-wheel drive. What's more, Infiniti is quoting 42.8 miles per gallon and CO2 emissions of about 129g/km for this concept, though we don't know how those figures are calculated or on what driving cycle. In any case, power and efficiency are always welcome.

Inside, Infiniti says it wanted to pack as much technology into the Q80 Inspiration as possible, without over-complicating the driving experience. In addition to driver-activated autonomous capability, both the driver and passenger get innovative Head-Up Displays projected on the windshield, while rear-seat passengers each get their own touchscreen units. Leather and Alcantara appear to cover just about everything else.

We wouldn't expect all of the truly showstopping details to make it into production, but the overall flowing design ethos, along with what Infiniti is calling its human-centric take on high-tech interior and autonomous driving technology seem likely to join its turbocharged drivetrain buoyed by a brace of electric motors as likely additions to a future fullsize luxury sedan from Infiniti.

By Jeremy KorzeniewskiRSS feedGoogle+

2017 Infiniti QX30 Spy Shots | Infiniti of Tacoma at Fife

Infiniti’s entry-level model at present is the Q40, which is essentially a rebadged version of the previous G37 sedan, but in the coming years the automaker will add two new compact cars to its lineup that will wear the Q30 and QX30 badges respectively. The Q30 will be a conventional hatch and has already been previewed in concept form, while the QX30, a prototype for which has just been spied, will be a crossover version of the Q30.

The QX30 will feature similar styling to the Q30 but will benefit from a taller ride height and all-wheel drive. Both the Q30 and QX30 will ride on Mercedes-Benz’s MFA compact car platform, with the Q30 essentially a reskinned A-Class and the QX30 a reskinned GLA-Class. Although the vehicles will be sold in the U.S., their target market will be Europe where the premium compact class is dominated by the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series Hatchback and aforementioned A-Class.



Infiniti Q30 concept, 2013 Frankfurt Auto ShowFour-cylinder engines will be offered in the Q30 and QX30, and while some markets will receive diesel units the U.S. is likely to have gasoline units only.

Infiniti will start production of the Q30 at a Nissan plant in Sunderland, U.K. mid-next year, and shortly after production of the QX30 will join it. Both models will be built for export to Infiniti’s international markets, including here in the U.S.

The Q30 should be revealed in early 2015 while the QX30 will likely be revealed later that year. Sales of both vehicles in the U.S. will likely commence sometime during 2016.