Paris 2014: Infiniti Q80 Unveiled, Headed For Production

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Within the next three to five years, the Infiniti Q80 Inspiration will go from concept to the production floor.

The brand’s European product chief, Francois Goupil de Bouille, aims to have as much as 90 percent of what is being seen at the 2014 Paris Auto Show on the road within the next few years, though it might be the top of the line; Infiniti has plans for a larger, more traditional sedan paired with a QX80 aimed at Range Rover.

Entry-level, the brand also has plans for a Q20 model. The proposed vehicle will take on the likes of MINI and the Audi A1, but only after the Q30 arrives in showrooms in 2015.

As for the Q80 Inspiration, the powerplant of choice is a 550-horsepower twin-turbo aluminum V6 — part of a new family of engines that will turn up throughout the range over the next few years — driving all four wheels. The concept is just a bit shorter than the Mercedes S-Class, boasts an interior with Alcantra and horse-hair, and has adaptive cruise control.







Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Cirats Cirats on Oct 02, 2014

    Wait - I thought we were told the other day that this had 1+1+1+1 seating, which meant four seats in single file front to back. Or was that a different Infiniti concept. FWIW, this actually looks better than I thought it would, though any production version will surely look rather different.

  • Nine11c2 Nine11c2 on Oct 02, 2014

    Infiniti is in desperate need of a design direction. Acura tried with its shield and failed. I think Lexus has succeeded. The spindle grill is classy, sporty and unique. Lexus look so sporty that I look at the IS and the GS in my neighborhood often and consider buying until I remember Lexus doesn't offer a manual..

  • 2manyvettes Since all of my cars have V8 gas engines (with one exception, a V6) guess what my opinion is about a cheap EV. And there is even a Tesla supercharger all of a mile from my house.
  • Cla65691460 April 24 (Reuters) - A made-in-China electric vehicle will hit U.S. dealers this summer offering power and efficiency similar to the Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling EV, but for about $8,000 less.
  • FreedMike It certainly wouldn't hurt. But let's think about the demographic here. We're talking people with less money to spend, so it follows that many of them won't have a dedicated place to charge up. Lots of them may be urban dwellers. That means they'll be depending on the current charging infrastructure, which is improving, but isn't "there" yet. So...what would help EVs more, in my opinion, is improved charging options.
  • RHD The analyses above are on the nose.It's a hell of a good car, but the mileage is reaching the point where things that should have worn out a long time ago, and didn't, will, such as the alternator, starter, exhaust system, PS pump, and so on. The interiors tend to be the first thing to show wear, other than the tires, of course. The price is too high for a car that probably has less than a hundred thousand miles left in it without major repairs. A complete inspection is warranted, of course, and then a lower offer based on what it needs. Ten grand for any 18-year-old car is a pretty good chunk of change. It would be a very enjoyable, ride, though.
  • Fred I would get the Acura RDX, to replace my Honda HR-V. Both it and the CRV seats are uncomfortable on longer trips.
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