The Infiniti Q80 Inspiration concept car is showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show , Nov. 19, 2014. Jae C. Hong/AP
The Infiniti Q80 Inspiration concept car is showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show , Nov. 19, 2014.
Infiniti showed off its latest concept car, the Q80 Inspiration, at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. Infiniti
Infiniti showed off its latest concept car, the Q80 Inspiration, at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week.
A production version of the car will certainly be more subdued (and have side view mirrors), but some features will make it to market. Infiniti
A production version of the car will certainly be more subdued (and have side view mirrors), but some features will make it to market.
The grille is the new Infiniti grille for production cars. Infiniti
The grille is the new Infiniti grille for production cars.
The pronounced shoulder line, where the top and the side of the car meet, will be carried through as a feature on upcoming Infiniti vehicles. Infiniti
The pronounced shoulder line, where the top and the side of the car meet, will be carried through as a feature on upcoming Infiniti vehicles.
The crescent shape at the rear of the window (circled), which channels air to improve aerodynamics, is more pronounced on the concept that on Infiniti’s production models. Infiniti
The crescent shape at the rear of the window (circled), which channels air to improve aerodynamics, is more pronounced on the concept that on Infiniti’s production models.
Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti's executive design director would love to put suicide doors on a production car—he says they offer the most elegant way to get into the vehicle. But that requires removing the central, or B, pillar, which is important for structural support. Infiniti
Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti's executive design director would love to put suicide doors on a production car—he says they offer the most elegant way to get into the vehicle. But that requires removing the central, or B, pillar, which is important for structural support.
The panoramic roof allows passengers to look up at the sky above and brings in natural light. Infiniti
The panoramic roof allows passengers to look up at the sky above and brings in natural light.
he driver’s seat is meant to be isolating, so the driver concentrates on the road and the performance aspect of the car. Infiniti
he driver’s seat is meant to be isolating, so the driver concentrates on the road and the performance aspect of the car.
The back seats are all about comfort—the white quilted leather will make passengers feel like they are “on a cloud,” Albaisa says. Infiniti
The back seats are all about comfort—the white quilted leather will make passengers feel like they are “on a cloud,” Albaisa says.
There are dozens of cars packed into the LA Convention Center for the LA Auto Show. Infiniti’s sleek, sexy concept is by far the prettiest.
Infiniti calls the Q80 Inspiration, making its North American debut here after being seen in Paris last month, a “statement of intent” that hints at the styling and technology of future models. We call it gorgeous. The car is just a bit more than 16.5 feet long but just 52 inches tall at its highest point, giving the car a sleek, athletic profile that telegraphs speed. The result is an elegant, stylish sedan that looks futuristic without looking silly. Yes, the suicide doors, V-shaped rear window and “silver beverage flask” (seriously) probably won’t make it onto production models, but the strong shoulder line and fastback shape almost certainly will.
The features and aluminum and carbon fiber monocoque, with the same materials used on the body. That enormous grille is active; it opens at lower speeds to maximize cooling and closes at higher speeds to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Speaking of efficiency, the Q80 Inspiration is a hybrid, with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 mated to an electric motor. Together they provide an impressive 550 horsepower and about that much torque. Infiniti claims a zero to 60 time of less than 4 seconds and a governed top speed of 155 mph—and 43 mpg. Now, Infiniti’s no stranger to hybrids—it’s already got the Q50S hybrid, for example—but the Q80 suggests it plans to use the technology to push performance and efficiency.
Click through the gallery above to see more of the car, and the bits and pieces most likely to make it to market.
