Infiniti QX30 Concept
Exuding high performance and sport dynamics, Infiniti's Q60 Concept makes its European premiere at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show. The stunning two-door concept hints at Infiniti's next sports coupe.
Fresh from its acclaimed reveal at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year, the show-stopping Q60 Concept is an original and bold reinterpretation of an elegant lifestyle 2+2 coupe.
Its unique combination of eye-catching contours, heart-pumping power and high-quality finishes gives premium customers a fresh and expressive style icon to which they can aspire.
"The Q60 Concept is more than a design exercise; it is earmarked for production," said Roland Krueger, Infiniti President and CEO. "What you see in this concept vehicle inspires the sports coupe that Infiniti will produce next year."
Progressive design
Infiniti designers wanted to create a sports car that is power and performance personified. They gave the Q60 Concept taut lines, razor-sharp edges, and strikingly deep recesses in the body sides – culminating in a potent road presence.
Sitting at 4690 mm (184.6 inches) long, 1865 mm (73.4 inches) wide and 1370 mm (53.9 inches) high, the angular concept is as sporty in motion as it is at rest.
The Q60 Concept's sleek and aerodynamic design is anchored by its deep double arch grille, whose elaborate waved mesh pattern gives it a three-dimensional quality.
From the grille, the flowing character lines rise and merge into the headlamps, drawing attention to the intelligent LED lights. These adaptive headlamps react to the steering, speed and elevation of the car and automatically adjust the beam around each bend to illuminate the road ahead.
Inspired by the human eye – characteristic of Infiniti's vehicles – the headlamp has very fine fiber optic-like lines branching out from the projector. When lit, these filaments of LED lights look like lines of the iris radiating from the pupil, giving the headlamps a high-tech stare.
The character line running the length of the car from the double arch grille to the aerodynamic tail spoiler gives the vehicle its assertive look from front to rear. The highly defined body contours are executed with precision, and where the shoulder dips in with exaggerated depth is reminiscent of chiseled cheekbones or rippling muscles.
Wearing a special color named Arctic Aluminum, the Q60 Concept looks like it is machined from a solid aluminum block rather than painted.
The designers also made the wheels more visible than the body to give the Q60 Concept an athletic profile. Donning arresting spokes in matte blacks and high-gloss black chromes, the deep 21-inch wheels fill up the wheel arches and give the concept its domineering stance.
The same refinement on the outside extends into the smallest detail on the inside, evoking a premium atmosphere with three-dimensional textures and meticulous craftsmanship.
While the familiar asymmetry from the top of the center cluster to the wide center console has been updated to make it more fluid, the center console continues to demarcate the driver and passenger zone.
Stitched by hand, the leather-wrapped instrument panel, steering wheel and door inserts all bear testament to bespoke finesse. The two-tone black-and-white instrument panel adds contrast to the interior, reflecting Infiniti's attention to detail.
Carbon fiber in the door accents echoes the performance of the car while high-quality driver-oriented controls intuitively build driver confidence.
The seats have also been designed to go with the car's exhilarating character. An array of leathers was used to bring out the best comfort, from premium saddle leather to thick cushion quilting. Even oft-ignored rear passengers get stylish bucket seats, adding to the premium environment in the car.
Audacious performance
The Q60 Concept is expected to deliver exceptional performance befitting a true-blue sports car from the next-generation 3.0-liter V6 engine with direct injection and twin-turbocharging.
This all-new engine was first previewed in the Q80 Inspiration during the Paris Motor Show last year and will be part of a new family of lighter, smaller, more efficient and more powerful engines.
Slated to be introduced within the next two years, this new line of engines significantly reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions while boosting power and torque for a more thrilling drive.
The Q60 Concept also showcases a host of ingenious technologies to not only enrich the driving experience but also provide an intuitive level of driving assistance where required. This is in line with Infiniti's philosophy that technology should enhance the driver, not restrict them.
For example, the enhanced Infiniti Direct Adaptive Steering™ system allows independent control of the car's tire angle and steering inputs, transmitting the driver's intentions to the wheels faster than a mechanical system.
This increases the direct driving performance feel by quickly and intelligently communicating road surface feedback to the driver. Developed after more than ten years of research, the system was a world's first when it premiered on the Q50.
Apart from augmenting the driving experience, the Q60 Concept puts the spotlight back on the desires and needs of the driver and passengers through human-centric systems that provide a higher degree of available personalization.
This is made possible with the new Infiniti InTuition™ system, a fully customizable digital environment, which works with the vehicle's advanced Intelligent Keys to recognize the vehicle settings for up to four different drivers, including preferences for driving position, heating and cooling, audio, navigation, telematics.
"The Q60 Concept is Infiniti's vision for a sports coupe," said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director. "Design, performance and premium quality – these are what makes a sports coupe stand above the crowd. And these are what you'll find on the definitive Q60 Concept."
