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Written by Dan Carney
Infiniti revealed its styling targets for its next-generation sports coupe when it pulled the cover off the Q60 Concept in Detroit at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, revealing a machine with exaggerated emphasis on the 21-in wheels and a strong character line running the length of the car. The car also features the all-new engine family first seen in the Q80 Inspiration concept car at the 2014 Paris Motor Show (Q80 Inspiration concept previews future top-range Infiniti, new engine family - SAE International) a twin-turbo, direct-injected 3.0-L V6 engine whose broad strokes are reminiscent of Nissan"s VG 3.0-L twin-turbo seen in the 300ZX sports car. The concept is constructed with an aluminum unibody structure for weight savings. The company did not explicitly state that the production car will follow the concept"s example, but the concept"s aluminum body is finished in a glimmering hue named Arctic Aluminum, as if to underscore Infiniti"s direction. The goal, according to Infiniti, is to make the Q60 appear as "a solid piece of liquid aluminum slicing through the air." That character line along the Q60 Concept"s sides splits its profile to underscore the car"s length. The concept actually measures 184.6 in (4690 mm) long on a 112.2-inch (2850-mm) wheelbase, and stretches 73.4 in (1865 mm) wide and stands 53.9 in (1370 mm) tall. The 21-in wheels are specifically selected to draw the eye toward them, with jet turbine-inspired spokes stretching to the rims. "We carefully studied the area of the tire versus the area of the body in the side view, and we concluded to make the wheels more dominant," explained Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director. "We"ll definitely see more of this in future Infiniti models," he continued. The Q60"s grille also forecasts the brand"s direction, he added. "Up front, we show our deep inset, double-arch grille, which floats a bit inside the body, telegraphing its connection to our very powerful engine and serving as more than just simple body decoration," Albaisa declared. The body contours are meant to evoke chiseled cheekbones and the C-pillar features crescent-cut lines that the company cites as a corporate styling hallmark. "The Infiniti crescent-cut C-pillar is a key Infiniti signature," he said. "Here, the crescent locks into the rearward flow of the roofline, drawing your eye to the graceful, tapering cabin. Lighting is all-LED, front and rear, with the lenses incorporated as styling elements, while a pair of larger dual exhaust outlets reference the Q50 Eau Rouge concept car. The powerplant, which drives through a seven-speed automatic gearbox, belongs to a new engine family that will appear in production within two years, according to the company. Infiniti declined to say which car will see first use of the new engine, but did confirm that the production edition of the Q60 concept will arrive in 2016. That production model will closely adhere to the concept"s design, with allowances for legal mirrors and practical door handles and wheels.
Date: 20-Jan-2015 11:43 EST
More of this article on the SAE International website
ID: 1126
Infiniti revealed its styling targets for its next-generation sports coupe when it pulled the cover off the Q60 Concept in Detroit at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, revealing a machine with exaggerated emphasis on the 21-in wheels and a strong character line running the length of the car. The car also features the all-new engine family first seen in the Q80 Inspiration concept car at the 2014 Paris Motor Show (Q80 Inspiration concept previews future top-range Infiniti, new engine family - SAE International) a twin-turbo, direct-injected 3.0-L V6 engine whose broad strokes are reminiscent of Nissan"s VG 3.0-L twin-turbo seen in the 300ZX sports car. The concept is constructed with an aluminum unibody structure for weight savings. The company did not explicitly state that the production car will follow the concept"s example, but the concept"s aluminum body is finished in a glimmering hue named Arctic Aluminum, as if to underscore Infiniti"s direction. The goal, according to Infiniti, is to make the Q60 appear as "a solid piece of liquid aluminum slicing through the air." That character line along the Q60 Concept"s sides splits its profile to underscore the car"s length. The concept actually measures 184.6 in (4690 mm) long on a 112.2-inch (2850-mm) wheelbase, and stretches 73.4 in (1865 mm) wide and stands 53.9 in (1370 mm) tall. The 21-in wheels are specifically selected to draw the eye toward them, with jet turbine-inspired spokes stretching to the rims. "We carefully studied the area of the tire versus the area of the body in the side view, and we concluded to make the wheels more dominant," explained Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director. "We"ll definitely see more of this in future Infiniti models," he continued. The Q60"s grille also forecasts the brand"s direction, he added. "Up front, we show our deep inset, double-arch grille, which floats a bit inside the body, telegraphing its connection to our very powerful engine and serving as more than just simple body decoration," Albaisa declared. The body contours are meant to evoke chiseled cheekbones and the C-pillar features crescent-cut lines that the company cites as a corporate styling hallmark. "The Infiniti crescent-cut C-pillar is a key Infiniti signature," he said. "Here, the crescent locks into the rearward flow of the roofline, drawing your eye to the graceful, tapering cabin. Lighting is all-LED, front and rear, with the lenses incorporated as styling elements, while a pair of larger dual exhaust outlets reference the Q50 Eau Rouge concept car. The powerplant, which drives through a seven-speed automatic gearbox, belongs to a new engine family that will appear in production within two years, according to the company. Infiniti declined to say which car will see first use of the new engine, but did confirm that the production edition of the Q60 concept will arrive in 2016. That production model will closely adhere to the concept"s design, with allowances for legal mirrors and practical door handles and wheels.
Date: 20-Jan-2015 11:43 EST
More of this article on the SAE International website
ID: 1126
