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..

  • Tassos Jong-iL North Korea is saving pokemon cards and amibos to buy GM in 10 years, we hope.
  • Formula m Same as Ford, withholding billions in development because they want to rearrange the furniture.
  • EV-Guy I would care more about the Detroit downtown core. Who else would possibly be able to occupy this space? GM bought this complex - correct? If they can't fill it, how do they find tenants that can? Is the plan to just tear it down and sell to developers?
  • EBFlex Demand is so high for EVs they are having to lay people off. Layoffs are the ultimate sign of an rapidly expanding market.
  • Thomas I thought about buying an EV, but the more I learned about them, the less I wanted one. Maybe I'll reconsider in 5 or 10 years if technology improves. I don't think EVs are good enough yet for my use case. Pricing and infrastructure needs to improve too.
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