Infiniti’s next two-year plan is to offer an electric powertrain, which can be recharged with a gasoline engine or fully electrified.
While Nissan, its sister brand, has been at the forefront of electric vehicle innovation since the beginning, Infiniti is conspicuously absent from that department. . . That is, up to now. We had the chance to see Infiniti’s electrified future during the 30-year anniversary celebration for media. This is what we saw.
Gas-Powered Electric Vehicles
Infiniti will soon offer “gas-powered electric cars.” These gas-powered EVs will not need charging. Their range won’t depend on the amount of power in their batteries, but rather on how full their gas tanks are. Infiniti claims this will remove range anxiety and bring more people to the electric vehicle revolution.
This is not a new concept. Infiniti’s “gas-powered electric vehicles” is a type of series hybrid that has a range-extending gasoline engine. Similar technology is found on vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt and Honda Insight . They have an all-electric range that is not available in Infiniti’s EVs. The Chevy and Honda have electric ranges that can be used without the need for a gas engine, while Infiniti’s gasoline-powered EVs must always have it on.
Infiniti’s EVs powered by gas will be equipped with two electric motors. One on each axle. This makes them all-wheel-drive. The motors can produce a total output of 248 horsepower or 429 horsepower, depending on the model. Infiniti expects 0-60 mph to occur in 4.5 seconds for most powerful models. These battery packs are smaller than a pure electric vehicle and will be installed in the cabin’s floor. They have capacities ranging from 3.5 kWh to 5.1 kWh.
Electric vehicles powered by batteries
Infiniti will offer fully electric vehicles to its most committed customers. These will be built on the same platforms and engines as their gas-powered counterparts. Infiniti’s “one platform, two engines” approach means that both powertrains can be used on the same platforms. Infiniti promises that every new model will have the option of a gas-powered, electric powertrain (series hybrid engine with range-extending engine), or a pure, battery-powered powertrain within the next two-years. Amazingly, we’re already talking about traditional electric powertrains.
Future Models
Infiniti will launch five new cars over the next three-years. The 2021 Infiniti QX55, which will be introduced next year was briefly displayed at the anniversary event. Infiniti also gave us a quick 3D animation of the replacement for QX60, which was one of the first to receive its new electric powertrains.
The new QX60 SUV is a bold and striking looking model. It is more like the QX80’s current design than an evolution. It reminded me of the current Lincoln Aviator, with a touch from the Range Rover family. This is until you see Infiniti’s familiar face on the front of the vehicle in a more squared-off version. In one animated rendering of the new QX60, the roof is shown in a contrast color. This visual treatment visually increases the vehicle’s length.
Infiniti did not allow us to see the QX55’s cabin, but the QX60’s interior was clearly displayed in the animations. The new model has a more modern, horizontal and cleaner design than its predecessor. It features a large horizontal infotainment display in the middle of the dashboard and a floating console at the mid-section. Inifniti pointed out that the QX60 was its most-sold model so this new vehicle is huge for them. It should be seen in person after the QX55 is revealed next year.
Check out the Infiniti’s future models, as well as all the other upcoming future-ev cars and trucks, and SUVs.