Infiniti announces QX Inspiration concept

Infiniti has released the first images and details of its electric concept SUV ahead of its world debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) this month. It shows an updated form language and promises “complete range confidence.”

As we have seen in concept and production EVs before now, the lack of a combustion engine to package has allowed a larger, “lounge-like” interior for the QX Inspiration, which Infiniti boasts is created “using traditional techniques” and materials “inspired by a subtle Japanese sensuality.” Ooh. They also hint at a comprehensive connectivity system for occupants, inspired by Japanese omotenashi.

Executive design director Karim Habib comments: “QX Inspiration is the beginning of a new era for Infiniti and an illustration of where we want to go with the brand. New technology has given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy – and the new vehicle communicates the serene strength at our core.”

While the waistline appears very high, the surfaces are essentially clean. A vestigial outline of a grille acts as a seat for the very large illuminated Infiniti logo, while two very skinny air intakes sit at the leading edge of the bonnet and fill the gap between narrow LED headlights. Larger intakes are created at the front corners in a way that resembles cutting an L-shape out of a sheet of paper and curling the separated surface inwards.

The car’s centreline is highlighted by a bisection of the black front apron, then a subtle crease above the badge and up the bonnet, while the bodyside has a subtle bone line and a tall hockey-stick light catcher to break up a tall pair of doors. The A-pillars are fashionably blacked-out, at the base of which sit blade-like rearview camera housings. The same ‘hockey stick’ shape has seemingly also been applied to the skinny tail lights.

We will get more information and images at NAIAS later this month.