Photo: Original image by autoevolution
Japanese manufacturer Infiniti has been teasing us well ahead of the Paris Motor Show 2014 opening with all sorts of photos of its Q80 Concept. The day has come to take a closer look at what this car is proposing and we have to admit we’re impressed.
Marketed as a ‘1+1+1+1’ the focus was definitely on comfort and luxury and not dynamic abilities, by far. The cabin is decked with the best materials around including leather, aluminum and carbon fiber for an interesting mix and features only four seats that have plenty of space between them.
The portal-styled doors invite you inside where the driver interface is simplified and featuring a unique head-up display technology that shows only the information the driver needs. The passenger also benefits from HUD but his revolves around smartphone information.
In the back, the passengers have their own touchscreen in front of them, positioned on the backs of the front seats. They can access that on-board infotainment system through them. The quilted leather seats with Alcantara, metal and other leather finishes are nicely illuminated by the panoramic sunroof.
“From a design perspective, the Q80 Inspiration is the epitome of provocation, a car that breaks the mould of traditional premium saloon dimension and body form,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director.
From the outside, judging by the size of the thing and Infiniti’s own statements, the car previewed by the Q80 Concept will be fighting the likes of Mercedes’ CLS-Class, Audi’s A7 and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, “the newly defined premium fastback segment" in their own words.
Up top there’s a sunroof that covers nearly the entire surface of the car but was made of ultra-thin glass to shed some weight (the technical term is lightweight acoustic glass). Furthermore, as a design detail, the side mirrors are missing as well to match the flowing lines of the car.
The effort in shedding weight had to be backed by a clean drivetrain. The power for this concept to move around comes from a hybrid setup made of a V6 3-liter petrol engine and an electric motor. The combined power output reaches up to 550 HP, returning an average fuel consumption of 5.5 l/100 km (42.8 mpg) while CO2 emissions are as low as 129 g/km.
Using the HUD on the windscreen, the system emits tones suggesting a course of action for the driver in heavy traffic or in highway conditions. However, the decisions rest only with the driver’s right foot.
“As part of our creativity and exploration philosophy, Infiniti considers that autonomous driving is an integral part of a premium car of tomorrow. In our case, we have taken the approach that autonomous driving should empower and enhance the driving experience, not do the driving. Our path of development is not taking us into the area of self-driving vehicles,” said Bancon.
The interior was on the main focus
Moreover, the design seems to be focused on an easy access to the controls as well as positioning the seats in such a way to ensure a sentiment of individuality. They are positioned far apart from each other without going too far.The portal-styled doors invite you inside where the driver interface is simplified and featuring a unique head-up display technology that shows only the information the driver needs. The passenger also benefits from HUD but his revolves around smartphone information.
In the back, the passengers have their own touchscreen in front of them, positioned on the backs of the front seats. They can access that on-board infotainment system through them. The quilted leather seats with Alcantara, metal and other leather finishes are nicely illuminated by the panoramic sunroof.
“From a design perspective, the Q80 Inspiration is the epitome of provocation, a car that breaks the mould of traditional premium saloon dimension and body form,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director.
From the outside, judging by the size of the thing and Infiniti’s own statements, the car previewed by the Q80 Concept will be fighting the likes of Mercedes’ CLS-Class, Audi’s A7 and the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, “the newly defined premium fastback segment" in their own words.
Generous exterior size
Being 199.2 inches (5,060 millimeters) long and 79.1 inches wide (2,010 millimeters), the Infiniti is 7.6 inches (193 mm) shorter than the S-Class Benz but 5 inches (127 millimeters) wider at the same time, putting it in a new league, probably the aforementioned 4-door coupe one.Up top there’s a sunroof that covers nearly the entire surface of the car but was made of ultra-thin glass to shed some weight (the technical term is lightweight acoustic glass). Furthermore, as a design detail, the side mirrors are missing as well to match the flowing lines of the car.
The effort in shedding weight had to be backed by a clean drivetrain. The power for this concept to move around comes from a hybrid setup made of a V6 3-liter petrol engine and an electric motor. The combined power output reaches up to 550 HP, returning an average fuel consumption of 5.5 l/100 km (42.8 mpg) while CO2 emissions are as low as 129 g/km.
Autonomous driving included
The Q80 Concept is also supposed to show us how Infiniti looks at autonomous driving. The car is fitted with cameras, lasers and sensors that can completely take over when needed at the push of a button.Using the HUD on the windscreen, the system emits tones suggesting a course of action for the driver in heavy traffic or in highway conditions. However, the decisions rest only with the driver’s right foot.
“As part of our creativity and exploration philosophy, Infiniti considers that autonomous driving is an integral part of a premium car of tomorrow. In our case, we have taken the approach that autonomous driving should empower and enhance the driving experience, not do the driving. Our path of development is not taking us into the area of self-driving vehicles,” said Bancon.
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