Within the next three to five years, the Infiniti Q80 Inspiration will go from concept to the production floor.
The brand’s European product chief, Francois Goupil de Bouille, aims to have as much as 90 percent of what is being seen at the 2014 Paris Auto Show on the road within the next few years, though it might be the top of the line; Infiniti has plans for a larger, more traditional sedan paired with a QX80 aimed at Range Rover.
Entry-level, the brand also has plans for a Q20 model. The proposed vehicle will take on the likes of MINI and the Audi A1, but only after the Q30 arrives in showrooms in 2015.
As for the Q80 Inspiration, the powerplant of choice is a 550-horsepower twin-turbo aluminum V6 — part of a new family of engines that will turn up throughout the range over the next few years — driving all four wheels. The concept is just a bit shorter than the Mercedes S-Class, boasts an interior with Alcantra and horse-hair, and has adaptive cruise control.
Well I certainly hope they correct some of the glaring problems, with what is otherwise an interesting concept, before it hits production.
I’m wondering about the (biodegradable) horse hair. That’s not a good idea. I don’t want hair in my car other than mine.
She’s gorgeous, she’s beautiful, but why are her cheeks… oh, never mind.
I was going to go car shopping for a new car this year, but between Infiniti, Cadillac, Acura and BMW renaming their cars, I have no idea what I’m interested in any more…:-)
I can’t decide if the grill is more or less hideous than the Lexus spindle. The shape isn’t as tortured, but the thick chrome surround is pretty bad, and it’s just too big. Not to mention that all of these oversized grills look bad with a front plate attached. The rest of the car loks good, but would probably be even better if the designers didn’t have to incorporate the kinked pillar design theme.
This car is racist! The white has to be in the back! I love quilted leather – I think the only model it’s available in now from them is the FX.
Looks like something Hyundai would design :=)
God bless Infiniti for giving work to breastless models. And not just Asian ones.
How long before Infiniti marketing wizzes figure out that ‘Q80’ is pronounced ‘Kuwaiti’ and revert to their second name choice?
Looks nice, but frankly Infiniti should be focusing on their bread and butter.
Wait – I thought we were told the other day that this had 1+1+1+1 seating, which meant four seats in single file front to back. Or was that a different Infiniti concept.
FWIW, this actually looks better than I thought it would, though any production version will surely look rather different.
Infiniti is in desperate need of a design direction. Acura tried with its shield and failed. I think Lexus has succeeded. The spindle grill is classy, sporty and unique. Lexus look so sporty that I look at the IS and the GS in my neighborhood often and consider buying until I remember Lexus doesn’t offer a manual..