Detroit show: Infiniti concept heralds new Q60
BY DANIEL GARDNER | 6th Jan 2015
Nissan's luxury division has been teasing striking coupe models since 2009 with vehicles such as the Essence, Emerg-E and Gran Turismo show cars, but none has yet spawned a full production model.
While the current Q60 has only been available in Australia since the company relaunched Down Under in 2012, the model has been on sale in other parts of the world since 2008.
The fourth-generation version was given a facelift in 2011 but with nearly seven years under its belt, Infiniti's coupe is overdue for a revamp and Infiniti Cars Australia corporate communications manager Peter Fadeyev told GoAuto the latest concept is a glimpse of the next-gen model.
“It is certainly to be replaced,” he said. “We don't have a replacement date but the Q60 concept is a clear indication that a successor is on the way and it's a very good indication of what it might look like.”Infiniti has previously confirmed that a larger coupe concept, dubbed the Q80, would lead to a production version, and while it has a strong resemblance to the latest show-car, Mr Fadeyev confirmed the two show cars represent different model lines and a growing Infiniti family.
“You can see the model line strata. There's the current Q50 sedan that we have in market, then there's the concept Q60, we currently have a Q70 sedan in market and then there's Q80 concept, which will be the next model. If it were to be produced today that's how it would look.”“Underneath Q50 is the concept Q30 which was shown at the last Frankfurt motor show and if you have a look at that you'll see the common design thread for the Infiniti family in one line.
“It's the latest iteration of the design language of the next generation cars from Infiniti.”No powertrain details of the racy looking coupe have been revealed so it could be driven by anything from the high-output V8 and three-cylinder hybrid combinations touted for previous concepts, to the more sensible 2.0-litre turbo petrol found under the bonnet of the company's entry-level Q50 sedan.
The Nissan GT-R derived twin-turbo V6 on its way in the Q50 Eau Rouge performance flagship is another possibility.
Infiniti has specified that the Q60 coupe has 21-inch wheels and a hand-quilted leather interior with room for four occupants in its two-plus-two cabin.
Just one image has been released at this stage but other views of the vehicle will be available after its official unveiling at Detroit next week.
