autoevolution
 

Infiniti EV Geared Toward Performance Coming To 2018 Detroit Motor Show

When it comes to halo cars, Infiniti thoroughly lacks in this department. But with the introduction of the 2018 Nissan Leaf, the premium-oriented brand will make a move toward electrification, thus delivering a flagship electric vehicle.
Infiniti Emerg-e Concept 9 photos
Photo: Infiniti
Infiniti Emerg-e ConceptInfiniti Emerg-e ConceptInfiniti Emerg-e ConceptInfiniti Emerg-e ConceptInfiniti Emerg-e ConceptInfiniti Emerg-e ConceptInfiniti Emerg-e ConceptInfiniti Emerg-e Concept
Autocar had a chat with design head Alfonsa Albaisa on the matter, and the man stated that the yet-unnamed Infiniti EV wouldn't be an adaptation of the Leaf. Instead, it would be an new car that could borrow parts from the Prototype 9 Concept for use “in a different context.” Time of arrival?

2018 Detroit Auto Show in January, that’s when Infiniti will lift the veils off its mysterious electric vehicle. “Albaisa also confirmed the electric car would be on a new platform, rather than sharing a platform with the Nissan Leaf,” notes the cited publication, which is neat whichever way you look at it.

Bearing in mind the 1940s racing car-inspired Prototype 9 Concept uses an electric motor rated at 148 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, it would make sense if the Infiniti EV would employ two units – one for each axle – thus offering e-AWD. On the other hand, the 30-kWh battery in the design study doesn’t hold a candle to the 40-kWh pack in the Leaf, which makes it ill-matched for an Infiniti that promises electrifying performance.

Whatever Infiniti makes of its future EV, there’s no denying parent company Nissan is bracing itself for even more electric vehicles than it used to offer. An addition to the lineup will come in the form of a Leaf-derived crossover, which could make its world premiere as a prototype at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.

Then there’s the NISMO division, which is expected to introduce a go-faster Leaf in the near future. Can you imagine that? The Leaf turned into a hot hatchback-rivaling EV? Fingers crossed the Leaf NISMO, if it ever happens, will drop the torsion beam rear suspension for a multi-link setup.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)

Editor's note: Infiniti Emerg-e Concept pictured.

About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories