Automotive

Nissan Leaf gets a fancy brother: The Infiniti LE

Nissan Leaf gets a fancy brother: The Infiniti LE
The Infiniti LE is more than just a concept; it will be Infiniti's first zero emissions vehicle
The Infiniti LE is more than just a concept; it will be Infiniti's first zero emissions vehicle
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The LE concept takes some cues from the Essence and Emerg-E concepts
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The LE concept takes some cues from the Essence and Emerg-E concepts
The interior is highlighted by blue LED lighting
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The interior is highlighted by blue LED lighting
The seats are done in leather, suede and mesh
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The seats are done in leather, suede and mesh
Infiniti designed the LE for quick, sure acceleration
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Infiniti designed the LE for quick, sure acceleration
The Infiniti Connect system gives you a twin screen with key information
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The Infiniti Connect system gives you a twin screen with key information
The interior is highlighted by blue LED lighting
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The interior is highlighted by blue LED lighting
Elements like the blue LEDs give the LE a design study look, but Infiniti plans to have it market ready within two years
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Elements like the blue LEDs give the LE a design study look, but Infiniti plans to have it market ready within two years
The LE is about the same length as the G Sedan
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The LE is about the same length as the G Sedan
The LE will be clearly sportier and more aggressive than the Leaf
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The LE will be clearly sportier and more aggressive than the Leaf
A strong shoulder line gives the car a powerful look
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A strong shoulder line gives the car a powerful look
Infiniti maintains signature cues like its double-arch grille
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Infiniti maintains signature cues like its double-arch grille
The interior is kept roomy since the battery is below the passenger compartment
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The interior is kept roomy since the battery is below the passenger compartment
The LE is Infiniti first, EV second
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The LE is Infiniti first, EV second
Infiniti plans to offer the LE with wireless inductive charging
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Infiniti plans to offer the LE with wireless inductive charging
The aluminum alloy wheels received aerodynamic treatment
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The aluminum alloy wheels received aerodynamic treatment
The Infiniti LE is more than just a concept; it will be Infiniti's first zero emissions vehicle
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The Infiniti LE is more than just a concept; it will be Infiniti's first zero emissions vehicle
The Infiniti LE takes the stage at the New York Auto Show
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The Infiniti LE takes the stage at the New York Auto Show
The LE will allow Nissan to expand the use of EV technology developed for the Leaf
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The LE will allow Nissan to expand the use of EV technology developed for the Leaf
The Infiniti LE brings a little emotion to an otherwise dull, utilitarian EV segment
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The Infiniti LE brings a little emotion to an otherwise dull, utilitarian EV segment
The Infiniti LE takes the stage at the New York Auto Show
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The Infiniti LE takes the stage at the New York Auto Show
The Infiniti LE takes the stage at the New York Auto Show
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The Infiniti LE takes the stage at the New York Auto Show
The Infiniti LE takes the stage at the New York Auto Show
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The Infiniti LE takes the stage at the New York Auto Show
View gallery - 22 images

The first complaint about current mainstream electric vehicle options is that they don't offer enough range. The second is that they only come in small and, some might say, unattractive packages like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-Miev. Infiniti may not have solved the former problem, but it's done its best to solve the latter with the LE concept. The concept gives the Nissan Leaf a sportier, more upscale brother.

Infiniti has shown us a few takes on sporty green cars in the Essence and E-Merge, but it is a lot more serious about this one. In debuting the model at this week's New York Auto Show, Infiniti said that this is a "production intent" concept and will be on the market within two years. The company also said its "near similar form" to the production model, so it's clear this isn't just a fanciful EV concept designed to attract show goers to Infiniti's booth.

In designing the LE, Infiniti set out to make an Infiniti that was electric, not an electric car with an Infiniti label. Key toward that goal was showing that "zero emission does not have to mean small." Rather than a small hatchback, Infiniti made a proper, fastback-style sedan that's about the same length as its current G Sedan. From that basic principle, Infiniti added signature design cues like the double-arch grille and crescent-cut rear pillar. It sculpted a defined belt line that provides a sense of speed and power. The LE may not be nearly as dramatic as the Essence or E-merge, but it's definitely lighter on the eyes than a Leaf.

The LE will allow Nissan to expand the use of EV technology developed for the Leaf
The LE will allow Nissan to expand the use of EV technology developed for the Leaf

While it hasn't solved the limited range dilemma, Infiniti has done its best to get every mile by keeping the LE as aerodynamic as possible. Specific equipment used for the goal includes the high rear deck, aero-treated wheels, aero rear diffuser, aero fin front spoiler and aero side fin spoilers. The car's drag coefficient is 0.25.

Infiniti hasn't given all the details on the car's powertrain, but it's most certainly adapted from the Nissan Leaf. The electric motor puts out 240 lb-ft of torque and provides "impressive EV acceleration." The 24 kWh lithium-ion battery can be recharged by way of standard outlet, DC fast charging and Nissan's upcoming wireless charging pad.

Inside, the next-generation Infiniti Connection system keeps drivers in touch with the outside world. The system is controlled by way of twin-screen display, which delivers driver-centric information like navigation and points-of-interest search. The system also helps the driver in finding charging stations, syncing his calendar and pre-heating or pre-cooling the vehicle.

The battery pack is located under the passenger compartment floor, opening up the interior for comfort. Soft "Infiniti EV Blue" LED lighting flows from front to back. The leather-trimmed seats have sued and mesh fabric.

We're guessing the production version will lose the icy, space-age-y silver paint job and gratuitous blue LED lighting, but Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore said that it will maintain the "zero emission powertrain, advanced telematics, cutting-edge design, advanced connected services and premium appointments" of the concept. It should be a nice addition to the EV market.

Source: Infiniti

View gallery - 22 images
13 comments
13 comments
jonoxn
I have always considered these designs to be rather ugly. There are just too many features that don't blend together. I would be interested to know if this is the result of trying to create a new fashion or whether this is what the people want?
Mike Hamilton
Killer looking!
MasterG
Wouldnt it go more if it had less in it? I find points of interest the old fashion way by looking out the window "hey look at that" waiting still for the aerodynamic ev version of the model t. When are car makers gonna stop making bloat mobiles and start getting back to basics? I really like the tesla roadster but only if it could seat 4
Biodiversivist
"...they only come in small and, some might say, unattractive packages like the Nissan Leaf ..." says the guy with a moose head trophy mounted next to his Elvis velvet painting. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Bruce Curtis
Jonoxn is right, too many competing curves create a swoopy look but one with lots of dissonance...this car looks like a bicycle helmet. How about taking the designer's commission and using it to take a thousand pounds out of the car? Exchange some wheelbase, cushion thickness, replace sheet metal with carbon panels, and look at every fastener and component for fat. Shrink the whole package while keeping the interior cubes, drill lightening holes, shrink components and reduce the gauge where it isn't needed. Give electro-Lexus owners something they could really use; another 100 miles of range.
Mindbreaker
The Prius C concept looked phenomenal only to be messed-up for no good reason. I hope the same thing will not happen here...but it probably will. I like blue LEDs but defiantly needs a brightness control.
phydeaux
From one extreme to another.
The Nissan Leaf is too small and is styled like an escape pod. Now they are producing an overly-styled luxury electric that few will be able to afford.
Why not just make a mid market electric? What is wrong with that?
It needs to look like a mainstream car and it should not be stuffed with expensive bells and bloat (like MasterG says) so people can get the benefit of electric without paying for stuff they don't want.
VoiceofReason
MasterG. The Tesla is based on the Lotus Elise. Tiny car, it will never seat four.
Car makers have serious issues with infrastructure, so it's unlikely they will ever break out of the box.
Dennis Roberts
I just totally gagged seeing the photo of this after the Jag F type.
sutski123
Seriously, how hard is it to realize that a VAN would have all the necessary space to put enough batteries to go more than 500kms on a charge??!!
Also, all camping sites have electric hook-ups.
So WhyTF have Nissan not done a midsize NV300 electro-camper with a daily driving range of about 500kms????!!!!!!!! (btw I have van-camped for years and hardly ever do more than 350 in a day...why would you when you are on holiday??!!)
Eh? Eh? Eh?
So Nissan just call me, and I will product manage the E-NV300 campervan's worldwide development/launch for you!!!!
Sincerely,
sutski123!
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