Thursday 2nd October 2014

Infiniti Q80 Inspiration - Paris 2014

Another stunning Infiniti concept. Another long wait for a production version.

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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.

Welcome aboard!

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.

[badoozleby]

Is it just me, or does the front end look like an angry face being force-fed with a big Infiniti badge? The rest of the car looks like it's getting there, but I can't get over the front end.

[greygoose]

Whatever happened to circular steering wheels?

[Cotty]

Fell out the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down.

[TaylotS2K]

I actually really like that. Rear visibility must be an issue though - reversing camera's must come as standard....;-)