After sitting on the sidelines of the full-size, premium sedan game for years, Infiniti looks set to suit up for action. The automaker's opening salvo is this swoopy Q80 Inspiration concept, which is making its world debut at the 2014 Paris auto show. More than just show-stand candy, the sleek fastback is claimed to preview a future Infiniti model.
As you'd expect, Infiniti is saving the primary Q80 photo and info drop for the show, but we do know this: At 198.9 inches long, the Q80 is 7.6 inches shorter than the Mercedes-Benz S550, meaning it's still quite large. The Infiniti is actually wider than the Benz, its girth measuring 79.8 inches compared with the Benz's 74.8, and the wheelbase contest between the two is a near draw.
Now that you've got the figures handy for visualizing the Infiniti's footprint, picture the portal-style doors opening to reveal an interior trimmed in leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber. Infiniti calls the seating arrangement "1+1+1+1," which we take to mean that the car has room for four passengers. Cool details include the nearly full-length sunroof, which is made of lightweight acoustic glass, and the car's en vogue lack of door mirrors. We're okay with their absence, which leaves nothing to break up the sinewy flow of its body lines.
Hinting that the Q80 possesses more than just good looks, Infiniti says the sedan showcases autonomous and engine technologies. The Q80 will demonstrate efficient hybrid powertrain implementation, as well as "additional technologies"—hint-hint, nudge wink. Suspension details are equally vague, Infiniti mentioning only that the Q80 is "earmarked for an advanced adaptive suspension."
We've known that Infiniti has been contemplating a halo coupe and sedan for some time, and Infiniti's Q80 announcement indicates that the "sedan" may take the form of a four-door coupe. But the actual coupe, according to Shiro Nakamura, chief creative officer of Infiniti and senior VP of Nissan, should look fairly similar to the sedan. He has indicated to Top Gear that the brand plans to launch a Q80-influenced two-door coupe in 2015 with the following: "I want to make a two-door coupe. It's coming, you'll see it within one year. It'll be a production version, a little bit bigger than a BMW 4-series but not as big as a 6-series." Nakamura also noted that the two-door coupe will take design elements and styling cues from the Q80.
Bring 'em on, Infiniti.
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