On the 2nd of October, when the sun drenches the Jumeirah beach in its orange glow, a new era for Infiniti will rise in Paris. At 15.30 their time, the Hall 5 of the Parc des Expositions de Versailles will bear witness to the unveiling of the Q80 Inspiration, a top-of-the-line four-seat fastback concept that is, at the moment, a glimpse of Infiniti’s vision and a sketch pad for its design houses to refer back to in the coming years.
While the details of its hybrid-electric powertrain strategy as well as the on-board technologies will be revealed only at the expo, the sophistication of design and the lines of ambition are clearly etched on the pictures they teased us with, and the one that today was let to slip out.
First glance, it is as interesting as the C-X75 concept from Jaguar. But, to elicit as much awe of that two-seater marvel with a four-seater, is a first victory won for Infiniti. Infiniti aims at reaching production of the Q80 Inspiration in the future and I really hope it doesn’t hit the hurdles that the Jaguar dream did. To begin with the ambitious Q80 Inspiration is meant to consolidate Infiniti as a global player and shake up the premium large four-door club. Well, that should include my favourite Bimmer 650i Gran Coupe as well and the recently reviewed Audi RS7!
The profile looks long and appetisingly sporty. Infiniti Q80 Inspiration extends to 5052 millimeters (198.9 inches) with a long wheelbase of 3103 mm (122.2 in). In comparison, (even though it’s too early to say how much of the Infiniti dream may be compared to the Bimmer stunner) the Gran Coupe is 5009 mm long and has a 2969 mm wheelbase. The imposing stance is 2027 mm (79.8 in) wide and 1350 mm (53.1 in) in height – sport luxury proportions to the T. No compromise seems to be the motto for the wheels are framed by custom 22-inch five-dual-spoke lightweight alloys.
“After showing Q30 Concept and Q50 Eau Rouge, Infiniti is eager to show the upper range of our portfolio expansion,” says Infiniti Executive Design Director, Alfonso Albaisa. “In Q80 Inspiration, we wanted to capture that unforgettable feeling when you experience something important, something beautiful, something magnetic for the first time.”
There are no side-door mirrors coz Infiniti feels that they will mess up the profile, (so how do they take care of rear vision, we’ll have to wait to know) lightweight acoustic glass runs all the way on top, and its doors open portal style so that you can show off the stunning cabin while you step out. The cabin is rich with carbon fibre, Aluminium, and leather set in individual-4 seating. The advanced adaptive chassis and the acoustic glass would together ensure a silently luxurious ride, which is vital to the new class it tries to win over – the premium fastback segment.
