E-concepts show premium brand's innovative drive

By Li Fusheng | China Daily | Updated: 2019-04-15 08:03

Infiniti is to unveil two electric concept vehicles - the Qs Inspiration concept sedan and the QX Inspiration SUV - at the Shanghai Auto Show, which kicks o& this Tuesday. The two models demonstrate the premium automaker's new design language for electrified vehicles, featuring seamless integration of natural materials and technology.

The Qs Inspiration, which will be making its global debut in Shanghai, is built on a completely new flexible architecture developed specifically for electrified powertrains, representing Infiniti's major investments to challenge the traditional "three-box" sedan design.

The concept study offers a new take on the design and layout of a sports sedan in the electrified future, featuring an elevated driving position and high-performance electrified all-wheel drive.

Using the space saved from the combustion engine, the vehicle's physical proportions have been completely reimagined.

The conventional high-capacity engine and requisite drive shafts of a traditional sports sedan are instead replaced by a low-mounted battery pack and two powerful electric motors, one on each axle.

This has allowed for a short hood and front overhang that, combined with the raised driving position, result in a more central and "cabin-neutral" silhouette.

Taken together, these changes represent a new design language for future electrified vehicles that draws on the brand's Japanese DNA. Inspired by art and modern architecture, the design embraces the Japanese spatial concept of "Ma", which is characterized by open spaces between bold lines.

The Qs Inspiration interior merges a minimalist design with a sense of composure, and striking artistry with expert craftsmanship.

Inside, the cabin design marries design composure with striking artistry and craftsmanship across two distinct zones.

The driver-centric cockpit area is uncluttered and features color, forms and materials that better engage the driver while visually emphasizing the car's dynamic performance.

In the passenger area, there is a more relaxed ambience, with individual seats and a subtle color palette that make the most of the generous interior space.

"With electrification heralding the arrival of a new generation of cars, we wanted to express performance in new ways. The Qs Inspiration maintains a focus on the driver yet creates a shared experience through its spacious, lounge-like interior," said Karim Habib, the brand's executive design director.

The model is the latest in a series of design studies confirming Infiniti's new design language for the electrified era.

"There is a common design thread that unifies our four most recent concepts - the Q Inspiration, Prototype 10, QX Inspiration and now, Qs Inspiration. Each serves to illustrate Infiniti's aesthetics for the era of electrification," said Habib.

These aesthetics are underpinned by Infiniti's desire to challenge convention and design cars which are engaging, enriching, enabling and enchanting - what the company calls its"4EN" approach to design.

The design philosophy is also evident in the QX Inspiration SUV, which is making its Asian premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show after its global debut earlier this year in the United States.

The carmaker said the compact SUV sets a direct precedent for the company's first fully-electric production car, illustrating how new architectures and technologies are influencing Infiniti design.

Underpinning the aesthetic of its exterior is the Japanese spatial concept of "Ma" - the mastery of empty space.

To achieve this effect, the model's exterior is inspired by the artistic precision of folding of paper into different shapes - the art of origami.

The concept's sharp lines and modern aesthetics are further enhanced by a series of high-precision details that form a pattern repeated throughout the exterior and interior.

This pattern of thin lines is arranged into near-perpendicular forms, a modern interpretation of the historic use of timber louvers in traditional construction.

This has given the QX Inspiration a new tonality compared with earlier Infiniti designs: it is muscular yet composed, and less overtly aggressive while being bold in its details.

For example, without the need for a large front grille to cool a combustion engine, the QX Inspiration still retains shapes that are reminiscent of what would have been the air intake.

The smooth surfaces replacing the grille feature an illuminated Infiniti logo, book-ended by performance-enhancing channels that divert air over and around the body.

A closer look at the thin headlamp strips reveal laser-like etchings, with a highly technical pattern echoed throughout the interior and exterior.

Infiniti DNA can further be seen in the artistic, hand-crafted interior of the QX Inspiration concept, including the choice of materials used, which is inspired by a subtle sensuality.

The Bianco Carrara marble center console is a defining feature. While the material itself is European, the stone texture is reminiscent of Asian artistic sensibilities, fusing with technology touchpoints in the front of the cabin for a natural and authentic appearance.

The roof, finished in "sugi" Japanese red cedar wood, further ties the cabin of the QX Inspiration to its natural roots.

With technology carefully grafted into this lounge-like space, the careful selection of natural materials and soft colors demonstrate a unique appreciation of nature and craftsmanship.

"There's a very natural marriage of technology and hospitality in Infiniti's heritage, so this is something very appropriate to be reflecting in our future design," said Habib.

"We want the technology in our cars to create an experience that seamlessly enables and enhances the drive, while also making life comfortable and natural. That's what inspires us, and we worked with those principles when designing QX Inspiration," he said.