A mission statement for Infiniti wrapped in a gorgeous coupe envelope with a mega price tag. Cue the thunder, lightning, and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”
Infiniti needs more customers, and potential buyers need to understand what, aside from confusing alphanumeric names, defines this luxury brand. This car will be a lavish showcase of design and performance.
A new rear- and four-wheel-drive architecture to be shared with the brand’s other upcoming range topper, a sedan that will take on big Euro autobahn queens such as the BMW 7-series and Mercedes-Benz S-class.
Infiniti prez Johan de Nysschen, who clearly has lofty ambitions, says the brand has abandoned V-8s for future products. Conveniently, the 2009 Essence concept that inspired this flagship was said to be powered by a hybrid system featuring a twin-turbo six, and we’ve been told to expect the next-generation Nissan GT-R to be thus hybridized. Figure on a similar drivetrain powering this coupe, with output possibly exceeding 600 horsepower.
Bentley Continental GT, BMW M6, Mercedes-Benz S-class coupe, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo.
It needs to look like the achingly beautiful Essence concept, but it might not. Also, is the world ready for a six-figure Infiniti? Whatever happened to kicking BMW in the 3-series, where it actually hurts?
The earliest we’ll see this new coupe is in 2018. Prices should start at about $150,000. No, that is not a typo.
