- Q60 Concept is INFINITI's vision for a future sports coupe
- Sharp edges and sporty cues on the two-door concept convey superior power and performance
- Interior extends the Q60 Concept's sportiness while cocooned in a premium package
Hong Kong/Detroit – Exuding unbridled power from its taut lines and potent road presence, the INFINITI Q60 Concept is the very epitome of high performance and sport dynamics. The two-door fastback is INFINITI's vision for a future sports coupe.
Sitting at 4,690 mm (184.6 inches) long, 1,865 mm (73.4 inches) wide and 1,370 mm (53.9 inches) high, the Q60 Concept features razor-sharp edges and strikingly deep recesses, which result in the coupe appearing lower than it really is.
The angular exterior offers glimpses of Formula One car design, and the pampering interior delivers a premium experience with an array of handmade leather finishes, Alcantara® and carbon fiber.
"With the INFINITI Q60 Concept, we continue to take the artistry of coach building onto the road. Powerful and intense, the car looks like it's been crafted by hand. It's seductive and attainable," said Alfonso Albaisa, INFINITI Executive Design Director.
In many ways, the Q60 Concept is a progressive culmination and evolution of the Q80 Inspiration and Q50 Eau Rouge, both of which premiered globally last year. Design cues from both vehicles found their way onto the Q60 Concept, taking them one step closer to production reality. The Q60 Concept took after Q80 Inspiration's audaciously low roofline, intelligent headlamps and quilted leather seats while inheriting the gill on the lower front fender and Formula One-inspired lower intake from Q50 Eau Rouge.
"The Q60 Concept has the emotion and sculpting of the Q80 Inspiration. At the same time, it adopts the performance aspects of the Q50 Eau Rouge, which is immediately associated with INFINITI performance and the science and sport of Formula One racing," explained Albaisa.
Signature INFINITI face
The Q60 Concept's sleek and aerodynamic design is anchored by its deep double arch grille, whose elaborate waved mesh pattern gives it a three-dimensional quality.
From the grille, the flowing character lines rise and merge into the headlamps, drawing attention to the intelligent LED lights. These adaptive headlamps react to the steering, speed and elevation of the car and automatically adjust the beam around each bend to illuminate the road ahead.
Inspired by the human eye – characteristic of INFINITI's vehicles – the headlamp has very fine fiber optic-like lines branching out from the projector. When lit, these filaments of LED lights look like lines of the iris radiating from the pupil, giving the headlamps a high-tech stare.
"We use these lyrical gestures to put warmth back into science and to make technology human-centric," said Albaisa.
Moving forward, INFINITI is also putting its stamp on future models with creative design flourishes. In the Q60 Concept, it is the little crest at the centre edge of the hood that echoes the peak of the INFINITI logo. The line across the hood, the crease on each side and the lower bars all come together to highlight the link between the INFINITI brand and the front fascia.
Highly defined body contours
The gentle slope of the roofline may give the INFINITI Q60 Concept its slippery coupe silhouette, but it is the character line running the length of the car from the distinctive grille to the pronounced tail spoiler that gives the concept its assertive look from front to rear. By splitting the profile, this line not only makes the car look lean and slender but also visually strengthens the car's stance to match its throbbing high-performance heart.
The highly defined body contours are executed with precision, and where the shoulder dips in with exaggerated depth is reminiscent of chiseled cheekbones or rippling muscles. An additional crease around the window opening further increase movement towards the rear while accentuating the hallmark crescent-cut C-pillars, which have been reinterpreted to elongate the flow of the sloping roof. The flow of the lines and the tight closing seams between panels and doors further augment the perceived quality of the coupe.
Wearing a special colour named Arctic Aluminum, the Q60 Concept looks like it is machined from a solid aluminum block rather than painted. The new coating gleams like liquid metal and stretches around the body like a metallic skin, giving the impression that the coupe is a solid piece of liquid aluminum slicing through air, underlining its high-performance appeal.
To give the Q60 Concept a planted look that conveys empowerment and being in control, the INFINITI designers made the wheels more visible than the body.
"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. We'll definitely see more of this in future INFINITI models," said Albaisa.
Occupying pride of place, the newly designed 21-inch wheels fill up the wheel arches. Painted in a mix of matte blacks and high-gloss black chromes, the impressive spokes are inspired by jet turbine blades and stretch to the edge of the wheel, sending out a message that the Q60 Concept means serious business.
Integrated aerodynamics
In the rear, the side character lines smoothly merge with the shape of the rear LED combination lights. Sporting the same fiber optics LED cues, the tail lamps look more three-dimensional than ever. Not only do the lamps act as design elements connecting the side and the rear, but they also accentuate the Q60 Concept's wide stance and wheel arches, which are sliced and flushed against the body.
The fully integrated top spoiler adds to the dynamic view from behind. It starts where the roof tapers off and flicks up in a duck tail for improved aerodynamics.
In a nod to its Q50 Eau Rouge roots, the concept gets large dual exhaust outlets with chrome finishers, which are integrated as part of an airfoil.
Premium comfort
The inside of the INFINITI Q60 Concept has been designed to match with the sportiness outside, offering a powerful blend of three-dimensional textures, meticulous craftsmanship and the highest quality.
While the familiar asymmetry from the top of the centre cluster to the wide centre console has been updated to make it more fluid, the centre console continues to demarcate the driver and passenger zone.
The exquisite hand stitching on the leather-wrapped instrument panel and door inserts embodies INFINITI's quest for perfection. The two-tone black-and-white instrument panel adds contrast to the interior, reflecting INFINITI's attention to detail.
INFINITI designers used carbon fiber in the door accents to complement the performance of the car. Similarly, the double hand-stitched leather-covered steering wheel hints at the prowess beneath the hood.
The seats have also been designed to go with the car's exhilarating character. An array of leathers was used to bring out the best comfort, from premium saddle leather to thick cushion quilting. Bolsters were added to the sides for additional support.
In a segment where rear seats are regularly ignored design-wise, INFINITI has done the opposite and given rear passengers sporty bucket seats. This adds to the holistic premium environment in the Q60 Concept.
"When you open the door of the Q60 Concept, you can feel that the rockers are solid and the car is not to be messed with," said Albaisa. "And when you sit in the car, you can sense the artistry and tailoring wherever you look or touch."
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