Infiniti electric vision at January auto show

Infiniti will preview a vision for its first fully-electric crossover at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January.

“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,” executive design director Karim Habib says.

“Electrification and other new technologies have given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy.”

Hong Kong-based Infinity, which debuted globally nearly 30 years ago at the NAIAS, is revealing a new form design language for electrification, which it says is infused with Japanese DNA.

With new exterior proportions, electrification also gifts interior space, enabling spacious and lounge-like interiors, rich in welcoming and assistive technologies, says the company which earlier announced electrification of its portfolio from 2021, 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,” Nissan Motor global design senior vice-president Alfonso Albaisa says.

“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.”

Infiniti chairman and global president Roland Krueger says the industry is at a technological inflection point.

The company also recently reported the best November sales in the brand’s 29-year history.