INFINITI Nods to the Past and Shows Glimpse of Brand's Future at Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance +VIDEO

Infiniti Q Inspiration

NASHVILLE, TN - March 8, 2018: INFINITI will showcase its pioneer spirit and longstanding passion for design at the 2018 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance with the all-electric Prototype 9 retro roadster and the Q Inspiration concept that offers a hint at the future of INFINITI design.

An ode to the ingenuity and adventure of early motorsports, Prototype 9 reimagines what might have been for a 1940s INFINITI grand prix racecar with time-honored production techniques employed to realize its retro design. And in a nod to the future, it is powered by a prototype electric motor and battery. Prototype 9 celebrates INFINITI's ingenuity, artistry and craftsmanship.

The INFINITI Q Inspiration concept, which recently made its debut at the North American International Auto Show, eschews classical sedan forms with its coupe-like appearance and elongated silhouette, presenting INFINITI's design vision for vehicles in this segment. It is the first manifestation of INFINITI's new form language for an era of advanced powertrains.

Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president of Global Design for Nissan Motor Co. and lead designer of both Prototype 9 and the Q Inspiration concept, will join a panel of distinguished automotive designers for a discussion on the challenges of developing electric and autonomous vehicles at the Watts Next: Design Challenges of the Electric Car seminar on Friday, March 9.

"We put a lot of passion into creating the Q Inspiration and Prototype 9, and showcasing these vehicles at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is an honor," Albaisa said. "The future of electric vehicle design is like a blank canvas, and as we begin to fill it in, I look forward to an invigorating discussion with some of the best automotive designers in the world."

INFINITI announced in January that the company will go electric in 2021 with its first pure electric production vehicle and new models to offer electrified powertrains. Customers can expect beautifully designed vehicles like the Q Inspiration concept with a whole new level of electrified driving performance as an evolution of INFINITI's current powertrains.

INFINITI will offer a mix of pure electric vehicles (EV) and e-POWER vehicles – demonstrating the full range of low-emission vehicle technology. INFINITI's proprietary e-POWER technology features a small gasoline engine that charges a high-output battery, eliminating the need for an external charging source and providing the convenience of refueling with gasoline while offering the same driving experience as a pure EV. As a result of this emphasis on low-emission technology, INFINITI expects more than half its global sales to be comprised of electric vehicles by 2025.

INFINITI continues to be a proud sponsor of the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Media Center at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. This year marks the eighth consecutive year for the sponsorship and includes unique experiences for both media and consumers. INFINITI will host a Ride and Drive event with the all-new QX50 luxury mid-size crossover, as well as the Q50 RED SPORT 400 sports sedan, the Q60 RED SPORT 400 sports coupe, QX60 luxury crossover and QX80 full-size SUV.