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.
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.
