[Amphibian]

Infiniti’s Design Boss Talks Us Around Stunning Q80 Concept, Drops Hints About Future​

Car and Driver
October 10, 2014
By: Mike Duff

Infiniti certainly needs new models, and the brand is committed to expanding its range by 60 percent by 2020.

Full article at the link.

A fun but interesting quote: "We’re playing with this duality of something that’s a little bit naughty, a little bit sinister, and yet is also beautiful and accessible. There is nothing aggressive about this car, but there is something magnetic about it. This is pure artistry, it’s not bull****. I want people to feel that the hand of an artist was developing these surfaces, with attention to the movement of shape." -Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Director of Design

Regardless of how successful these efforts become, it's just another example to Cadillac and Lincoln about how there is much competition. Similar surges in product seem likely to other brands as well.

 

[Dequindre]

That's great and everything, but Infiniti has a long history of under delivering when it comes to production time. I don't think they're current design direction is doing them any favors either.

 

[SKH]

60% increase in model's by 2020? That's too long, they need those models now! Oh wait, that's Cadillac I was thinking of.;-)

 

[Neanderthal]

"We’re playing with this duality of something that’s a little bit naughty, a little bit sinister, and yet is also beautiful and accessible. There is nothing aggressive about this car, but there is something magnetic about it. This is pure artistry, it’s not bull****. I want people to feel that the hand of an artist was developing these surfaces, with attention to the movement of shape." -Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Director of Design

Nothing personal Amphib, after all we are homies, but this is the GD'est bunch of touchy-feely gibberish I've heard since, oh, a politician not answering a question on the six o'clock news.

 

[LetsRace]

Good for them, I lost all interest in Infiniti years ago. First gen G35 coupe was the last car that I really loved from their lineup.

 

[Dequindre]

"We’re playing with this duality of something that’s a little bit naughty, a little bit sinister, and yet is also beautiful and accessible. There is nothing aggressive about this car, but there is something magnetic about it. This is pure artistry, it’s not bull****. I want people to feel that the hand of an artist was developing these surfaces, with attention to the movement of shape." -Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Director of Design

Nothing personal Amphib, after all we are homies, but this is the GD'est bunch of touchy-feely gibberish I've heard since, oh, a politician not answering a question on the six o'clock news.

That's fancy talk for "it's curvy".

 

[sfbreh]

That's fancy talk for "it's curvy".

And that's simple talk for "I don't understand what he said."

 

[JBsZ06]

Good... I hope the future product resembles the concept and not their present production cars...

Present production vehicles are either ugly or long in tooth.

Time for Infiniti to shape up or shut down.

Jmo and if Infiniti can produce this latest concept car for the street Lincoln and Cadillac can as well.

Enough of the dumbing down of designs for production.

Just look at the years of sales success of cars like the camaro....

That's truly a concept car that was brought to production in all it's original glory.

Not a fan of the refresh or what I've seen in the 6 th gen spy shots so far....but as far as the original styling of the 5 th generation car....it drove consumers crazy with desire to buy...

That's definitely the luxury segments demand as well.

The Mercedes new s class coupe comes to mind....even if a but pricey....it's a looker.

 

[BlackGTP]

So are they finding that ugly isn't a good way to sell cars? I'll be interested to follow them over the next few years. A lot of parallels between Infiniti and Cadillac, hopefully they both can make a dent in the Germans.

 

[Dequindre]

And that's simple talk for "I don't understand what he said."

"I watch too many soap operas and apply the dialogue in describing the cars I design"

 

[more cowbell]

Good for them, I lost all interest in Infiniti years ago. First gen G35 coupe was the last car that I really loved from their lineup.

Yup. Recently sold the '05 G35 coupe I'd had since new. Decided I didn't want another Infiniti - saw nothing of interest.

To me the question is will Nissan brass figure out what they want the brand to be and seriously back it, similar to the unfolding GM-Cadillac scenario. The Autoextremist touched on this awhile back saying Nissan corporate's lack of full conviction and commitment was a factor in de Nysschen's departure.

 

[richmond2000]

Yup. Recently sold the '05 G35 coupe I'd had since new. Decided I didn't want another Infiniti - saw nothing of interest.

To me the question is will Nissan brass figure out what they want the brand to be and seriously back it, similar to the unfolding GM-Cadillac scenario. The Autoextremist touched on this awhile back saying Nissan corporate's lack of full conviction and commitment was a factor in de Nysschen's departure.

I have gotten the feeling that post Renault-Nissan there focus has shifted to EV's and smaller cars/cuvs

 

[Jesda]

The '90-'96 Q45 (I LOVED MINE) and the G35 were the only Infinitis that ever mattered.

In the late 90s Infiniti was nothing more than a Japanese Mercury, and it's been struggling to rebuild its reputation ever since.

 

[Jesda]

And that's simple talk for "I don't understand what he said."

No, it's gibberish over substance.

I do, however, expect to see some beautiful Infinitis over the next decade.

 

[sfbreh]

"I watch too many soap operas and apply the dialogue in describing the cars I design"

At least you made me laugh.

I do, however, expect to see some beautiful Infinitis over the next decade.

Me too.

 

[Amphibian]

To me the question is will Nissan brass figure out what they want the brand to be and seriously back it, similar to the unfolding GM-Cadillac scenario.

This is Infiniti's issue. Infiniti's marketing and concepts are conveying an image of a Japanese BMW, performance vehicles. From the G/Q50 to the FX/QX70, or the last M, Infinitis have attempted to be sportier. But when you take the present Infiniti lineup as a whole, it's not really the case. The Skyline-based vehicles are, the QX70 is, but everything else is not so much. Now, it looks like Infiniti is expecting future vehicles to be much more emotionally styled and tech-ier so we'll see what happens, but that means they're going to have to design vehicles from the onset to harness that formula. The current Q70, for example, is too "nice, but nothing special" in its design and blends into the background. I mean I like it myself, but I get why it isn't selling as well (other issues exist as well).

They have most of their lineup already figured it. Now it's a matter of getting people to buy them.

 

[1958carnut]

Good for them, I lost all interest in Infiniti years ago. First gen G35 coupe was the last car that I really loved from their lineup.

Same for me. I might also add the first gen. G35 sedan and current QX60 to the list.

 

[johnstarnes]

I love the Q80 and hope it goes into production as is! Front and rear bumper seams make me hopeful.

 

[Edge]

Does anyone care?

I mean, Infiniti is the only premium brand with a more tarnished image than Acura. They have nothing remotely class-leading or exciting. Their products are outdated, overpriced, and underwhelming. They've had some mixed success in the last decade or so, sure, but the brand is far from what they could be.

They should have had a GT-R-based sedan, and a more luxurious, less hardcore coupe variant as soon as that car dropped. They're now sitting at 6 MY's of wasted opportunity. The G should have gotten a turbo V6 option forever ago. They're naming scheme is stupid. Their SUV's suck or are dated. Or both. They have no clear mission statement or direction. They're basically just going through the motions, and they're not on anybody's radar. None of their competitors take them seriously. They're a joke in their current state. They better wake the hell up.

 

[KingElvis]

Yup. Recently sold the '05 G35 coupe I'd had since new. Decided I didn't want another Infiniti - saw nothing of interest.

To me the question is will Nissan brass figure out what they want the brand to be and seriously back it, similar to the unfolding GM-Cadillac scenario. The Autoextremist touched on this awhile back saying Nissan corporate's lack of full conviction and commitment was a factor in de Nysschen's departure.

INfiniti G35 reminds me of the previous CTS Cad. They both built up a following and a good image as a value packed entry luxury sedans.

Then they got greedy. First it was a four banger G, and then the CTS 'repositioning' where they priced it out of the segment it has once enjoyed some moderate success.

And the greed manifested itself in both companies playing a shell game with names that has driven away buyers who had built up some loyalty to the G and CTS.