Infiniti likes to tease us. This is the company that specialises in producing great-looking motor show cars that either turn into underwhelming road-going versions, or often seem to vanish into the ether.
And, on first impressions, the
Q80 Inspiration
looks like another. It's an XL limousine-hatchback, complete with several choice bits of motor show vaporware - from on-demand autonomous driving to those rear-hinged back doors.
Yet while it looks like pure motor show candy, we're assured that the real version will stick surprisingly closely to the promise made by this one. The exterior panel shapes are 'production viable' and the concept's combination of a turbocharged V6 and electric assistance to deliver a total output of 550hp is closely related to a forthcoming production power plant.
The interior is a bit more out-there, with alcantara and leather trim and what's described as a '1+1+1+1' seating arrangement, with each occupant getting their own personal space. There's minimal switchgear, with most functions handled by touchscreen displays, something we're promised we'll be seeing very soon on forthcoming Infinitis.
There's going to be a long wait for the Q80, though - the production car will come towards the end of Infiniti's approaching new model blitz, with both next year's Q30 and 'several other' cars coming before it in the queue.
Let's just hope they deliver on this one.