Automotive

Infiniti powers into Shanghai with electrified Qs Inspiration Concept

Infiniti powers into Shanghai with electrified Qs Inspiration Concept
Infiniti has promised that the concept previews a forthcoming production model
Infiniti has promised that the concept previews a forthcoming production model
View 21 Images
An early design CGI, based on sketches, shows the steering wheel in the Qs Inspiration and its primary touch points
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An early design CGI, based on sketches, shows the steering wheel in the Qs Inspiration and its primary touch points
Rear seating in the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept were conceptualized in sketches like this
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Rear seating in the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept were conceptualized in sketches like this
A sketch shows the steering wheel's position with its new design and placement within the Qs Inspiration's cabin
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A sketch shows the steering wheel's position with its new design and placement within the Qs Inspiration's cabin
Early design sketches for the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept were low, fast, and began the alteration of the "three-box sedan" design
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Early design sketches for the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept were low, fast, and began the alteration of the "three-box sedan" design
Computer aided placement of the Qs Inspiration into the forest begins the electrification theme
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Computer aided placement of the Qs Inspiration into the forest begins the electrification theme
More dynamic CGI iterations of the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept in a man-made environment show its potential
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More dynamic CGI iterations of the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept in a man-made environment show its potential
The lack of a grille is a clear design trope for the Qs Inspiration's electric powertrain
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The lack of a grille is a clear design trope for the Qs Inspiration's electric powertrain
The slatted-style panoramic glass roof allows light to enter the Qs Inspiration's cabin in a diffuse manner
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The slatted-style panoramic glass roof allows light to enter the Qs Inspiration's cabin in a diffuse manner
The roof's slats are mirrored on the light covers on the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept
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The roof's slats are mirrored on the light covers on the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept
The light diffusion gives the Infiniti Qs Inspiration a more roomy, but modern and minimalist appeal
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The light diffusion gives the Infiniti Qs Inspiration a more roomy, but modern and minimalist appeal
The concept was designed to be flexible in its architecture, allowing some modular options for both powertrains and body styles
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The concept was designed to be flexible in its architecture, allowing some modular options for both powertrains and body styles
The Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept is being shown in Shanghai as a model to be built in China for China
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The Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept is being shown in Shanghai as a model to be built in China for China
Infiniti has promised that the concept previews a forthcoming production model
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Infiniti has promised that the concept previews a forthcoming production model
The Qs Inspiration features an elevated driving position and all-wheel drive
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The Qs Inspiration features an elevated driving position and all-wheel drive
Infiniti designers reinterpreted the “three-box” sedan design that’s dominated the market for most of the sedan’s lifespan
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Infiniti designers reinterpreted the “three-box” sedan design that’s dominated the market for most of the sedan’s lifespan
With the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept, designers elongated the passenger compartment without changing the engine (hood), while virtually eliminating the deck
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With the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept, designers elongated the passenger compartment without changing the engine (hood), while virtually eliminating the deck
The collaboration with Kuma involved the Infiniti booth wherein the new Qs Inspiration is being showcased
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The collaboration with Kuma involved the Infiniti booth wherein the new Qs Inspiration is being showcased
More slats are seen on the Qs Inspiration Concept's wheels
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More slats are seen on the Qs Inspiration Concept's wheels
With a pillarless design, the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept allows full access to its interior
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With a pillarless design, the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept allows full access to its interior
The sketch shown earlier is made reality with the interior's final design for the Qs Inspiration
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The sketch shown earlier is made reality with the interior's final design for the Qs Inspiration
Seat rails and supports are deeply inset to give the chairs a floating appearance in the Infiniti Qs Inspiration
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Seat rails and supports are deeply inset to give the chairs a floating appearance in the Infiniti Qs Inspiration
View gallery - 21 images

Infiniti plans to hit the Chinese automotive market with electric vehicles, starting with its first collaborative concept, the Qs Inspiration. Designed in partnership with renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept is being shown in Shanghai as a model to be built in China for China.

The Qs Inspiration features an elevated driving position and all-wheel drive. Infiniti has promised that the concept previews a forthcoming production model, and that the brand plans to offer electric and e-Power (electrified) powertrains across its lineup. The concept was designed to be flexible in its architecture, allowing some modular options for both powertrains and body styles.

Infiniti designers reinterpreted the "three-box" sedan design that's dominated the market for most of the sedan's lifespan. Exterior proportions in most sedans are designed by starting with three basic boxes: a large box for the passenger compartment flanked by a somewhat smaller box for the engine compartment and a smaller box for the deck (trunk).

This three-box design is then reconfigured by sliding the boxes one direction or the other to elongate or shrink according to design needs, changing proportions slightly each time but without changing the overall dynamics of balance. So a larger passenger compartment and smaller hood might keep that balance whereas a larger hood and trunk, without changing the passenger compartment, would not.

Seat rails and supports are deeply inset to give the chairs a floating appearance in the Infiniti Qs Inspiration
Seat rails and supports are deeply inset to give the chairs a floating appearance in the Infiniti Qs Inspiration

With the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept, designers elongated the passenger compartment without changing the engine (hood), while virtually eliminating the deck. This design is what most modern sedans have as their primary motif, especially with European makes as exemplified by both BMW and Jaguar.

The collaboration with Kuma involved the Infiniti booth wherein the new Qs Inspiration is being showcased. The Kuma-san-designed booth is geared towards "expressing a new visual poetry, harmony and innovation," said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president for Global Design, Nissan Motor.

Infiniti sees the electrification of its fleet, especially in China, as an opportunity to reinvent its brand globally. The concept is shown in the video below.

Source: Infiniti

Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept

View gallery - 21 images
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