Infiniti’s Q80 Inspiration isn’t just a concept; it is a first glimpse at a new model

By Andrew Hard September 24, 2014

Infiniti Q80 Inspiration — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Infiniti has made it clear that it wants to distance itself from once-parent company Nissan.

The upscale automaker is now officially registered as a separate company, Infiniti Motor Co., and has its own headquarters in Hong Kong to show for it. The manufacturer is finalizing a partnership with a new ad agency as well, but if there’s one thing that will truly solidify a brand’s independence, it’s a unique product.

Enter the Q80 Inspiration, a four-door fastback concept that Infiniti previewed this week.

Scheduled to officially debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, the Q80 Inspiration previews a new, range-topping four-door from the company, and hints at the styling direction of Infiniti’s future generations.

Infiniti calls the concept “category-breaking,” “audacious,” and “elegant,” and the raked windshield and full-length panoramic glass roof give credibility to the automaker’s claims.

Infiniti Q80 Inspiration — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The fastback-style rear end (and lack of door mirrors) give the Q80 a sleek, yet commanding presence, but it also looks to be Infiniti’s largest car by a wide margin. With a 122.2-inch wheelbase, the Q80 measures a full 2 inches longer than the stretched Q70L.

Other than the car’s caboose, we can’t see much from Infiniti’s teaser photos. However, the manufacturer promises a lush interior with spacious “1+1+1+1” seating, “advanced adaptive suspension,” and a lightweight, rigid chassis.

Related: Will ditching drive-by-wire steering make the Infiniti Q50S truly sporty?

One of Infiniti’s fiercest competitors, Audi, just announced very similar news.

Although the German automaker’s concept will be unveiled at the LA Auto Show, the flagship four-door may preview the upcoming A9 and showcase the brand’s forthcoming design language.

It could do so chalk-full of cutting-edge technology, such as laser headlights, electric turbochargers, regenerative suspension, and a revamped digital instrument cluster.

Let the battle begin.

Editors' Recommendations

Infiniti’s Formula One-inspired Project Black S may enter production

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric

2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.

Cars

Best dash cam deals: Protect your ride from just $39

Rexing V1 dash cam

It's hard to undersell how important having some dash cam in your car is these days, especially with how hard it can be to process an insurance claim. That's why it's a really good investment to go for one of the best dash cams your budget can afford since it can really help protect your car in the long run. To that end, we've gone out and found our favorite dash cam deals across various budgets so that you can pick the one that works the best for your needs. While you're at it, you may want to consider checking out these security camera deals for a little bit of extra protection when your car is parked.
70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S -- $40, was $50

The 70mai Smart Dash Cam 1S is the cheapest option in this list, but it doesn't feel like it because it's packed with features. The dash cam, which supports microSD memory cards of up to 64GB, records footage at 1080p Full HD resolution with night vision capabilities thanks to its Sony IMX307 image processor and f/2.2 aperture. With its built-in G sensor, the dash cam will detect an accident and lock footage to prevent overwrites. You can use voice commands to ask the dash cam to take photos or to start recording videos, and you can use its accompanying app to watch real-time footage and to download files to your phone.

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

With electric vehicles taking the market by storm, it's hard for many EV charging stations to keep up with demand, and for those who don't want to rely on that anyway, car chargers are the way to go. Luckily, there is a lot of variety out there, depending on the budget and charge speed that you're looking for, although they can be quite expensive, especially if you want to charge your EV very quickly. That's why we've gone out and collected some of our favorite electric car charger deals that we think will give you the best bang for your buck.
Seguma 16Amp Level 1/2 EV Charger -- $115, was $160

If you need a more basic charger, this Level one and two charger from Seguma is a solid option and can deliver 16 amps and 3.84kW, which is pretty substantial. It also comes with a NEMA 6-20 plug and a standardized J1772 connector, which should work on most EV vehicles out there except for Tesla, which has its own connector. There are also some intelligent charging features, which include things such as protection against things like under and over voltage, leakage, and lighting, and it has an automatic cut-off when your EV is fully charged.