By Steve & Tamami Laser
While the gorgeous new Q Inspiration is officially called a concept, Infiniti says it previews a new generation of vehicles from the luxury brand. If that’s the case, we can’t wait to see it, or something like it, on the street.
Making its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, Q Inspiration is a midsize sedan with a coupe-like profile that’s filled with high-tech goodies. It sports a double-arch grille flanked by next-generation LED strip lighting that advances the design of the brand’s current models.
Moving rearward, shoulder lines merge into the middle of the car, across the clamshell-style doors and reappear at the rear. The fastback-style roof that gives the concept great proportions flows into the rear deck and is capped off with a wide light bar.
Q Inspiration is powered by Infiniti’s new VC-Turbo technology that’s making its production debut in the new QX50 crossover. Described by the automaker as “the world’s first production ready variable compression ratio engine,” it’s said to combine turbocharged gas power with the torque and efficiency of a hybrid or diesel engine.
While Infiniti describes the cabin ambience as a “minimalist approach” it’s filled with futuristic features and luxury touches. For example, the driver and passengers can call up digital content on independent touchscreens without distracting others inside the car.
“The Q Inspiration’s human-machine interface – a touchscreen for each passenger – offers a meditation-regeneration mode,” says Infiniti. “This minimizes the level of information displayed, and offers guided meditation to help occupants leave any stress behind when they start a journey.”
Interior trim includes kabazakura matte-finish wood on the dash and along the tops of the doors. The seats and center console, trimmed with soft white leather, feature Infiniti’s patented dot-quilting design for an “unbuttoned twist on the traditional buttoned-down diamond patterns of a Chesterfield sofa.”
Inside door pockets are lined with Nishijin-ori material that includes golden washi paper shreds woven with silk threads. It acts as a “sensor” allowing passengers to turn on and control pocket lighting.
The ProPILOT system for the concept provides near-future autonomous multi-lane highway driving and intersection auto-navigation functions. It’s designed to work with existing ProPILOT tech, like the ability to navigate stop-start highway traffic and monitor the position of surrounding vehicles.
News source and photos courtesy of Infiniti North America, Inc., and Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.
Story (commentary) © 2018 CarNichiWa.com