Detroit show: Q Inspiration reveals Infiniti direction

INFINITI has showcased its future technologies and design direction with the unveiling of the Q Inspiration concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit overnight.

The Q Inspiration reveals Infiniti’s design language for a new era containing advanced, smaller capacity powertrains, as well as a minimalist interior design and the application of the brand’s ProPilot suite of autonomous technologies.

Featuring an angular, yet simple monochrome look, the Q Inspiration has a sleek headlight design pierced by vertical slats, not unlike the QX Sport Inspiration concept from last year’s Beijing motor show.

An aggressive front bumper, side air intakes and hood vents give it a sporty look, while the largely closed-off grille with illuminated bezel and Infiniti logo give the impression of an electric vehicle.

Despite being a four-door model, the Q Inspiration has a coupe-like appearance and elongated silhouette, which Infiniti says will preview its design vision for vehicles in the medium passenger segment.

A long panoramic glass roof extends all the way to the bootlid, which is rounded off by thin, horizontal tail-lights and a sculpted rear bumper.

Inside, Infiniti designers have gone for a minimalist approach with a long, flowing set of screens along the dashboard that house the instrument cluster and infotainment systems.

The centre console features nothing but the gear selector, while the air-conditioning cluster is housed on a flat, black touchscreen nestled between the dash and centre console.

Running into the two rear seats is the centre console, which sprouts entertainment screens for rear passengers.

The concept is powered by Infiniti’s revolutionary variable-compression turbo engine (VC-Turbo) which is able to adjust its compression ratio on the fly to allow for what the brand claims to be the torque of a diesel and efficiency of a hybrid powertrain in a petrol engine.

Making its debut in the all-new QX50 mid-size SUV due late this year, the production 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit is capable of developing 200kW/380Nm, teamed to a continuously-variable transmission.

New ProPilot driver assistance technologies also feature in the Q Inspiration, that designate more stressful driving tasks to the car, while the driver ultimately retains control of the vehicle.