Infiniti QX Inspiration: the potential of empty space and the art of origami

• QX Inspiration is Infiniti's foray into the electric vehicle market.
• It has a pair of electric motors and an electric all-wheel drive system.
• Bus doors, cabin design and other style elements are inspired by Japanese culture.

It's hard to describe the inspiration behind the Infiniti QX. After all, we're talking about a concept car here. From the looks of it, the QX is a small and compact SUV on steroids. However, this gives the Lamborghini Urus and Maserati Levante a major design advantage. Despite this, I will leave the final decision to myself until the production model is seen in the flesh. As we all know, concept cars are just a fantasy.

You can even call them pipe dreams if you like.

But the biggest problem with concept cars is that they are just concepts and the end result is usually a diluted version of the original design. A 2013 Subaru WRX Concept or a 1990 Pontiac Sunfire Concept suddenly comes to mind.

And since the Infiniti QX Inspiration is a preview of what will be the brand's first all-electric vehicle, I'm betting that the production version will be very similar to the concept. Must be. How else will he steal the thunder from the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE? Of course, it also has a Mercedes EQ C and a Tesla Model S, so it's better to be more than just a spectator.

Electrified Propulsion: The Inflection Point

Infiniti is yet to release any important performance information about the QX Inspiration. Things like battery capacity, range and torque are expected, but it seems like Infiniti wants us to think beyond horsepower and top speed. For example, during the 2019 North American International Auto Show, QX Inspiration won the "Best Future Concept" award in the News Detroit Readers' Choice Awards.

What we do know, however, is that there are two electric motors (one for each axle) and an e-AWD system. The latter - Infiniti - speaks for electric all-wheel drive, similar to the Quattro electric powertrain in the Audi e-tron SUV. QX Inspiration is based on a completely new platform that allows the battery pack to live under the car floor. Infiniti says this will help lower the center of gravity for more precise handling.

“The decision to electrify the Infiniti line was a game-changer for our brand,” explained Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President, Global Design, Nissan Motor Company. "We began to understand the potential of new architectures and technologies and how they could affect changes in the design of our vehicles."

Concept inspiration Infiniti QX. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.

Related: The best states for EV ownership.

The Transformation of the Japanese: Artistry Imagination

Infiniti wants us to mainly focus on the origami style and minimalist exterior design. With finely balanced organic shapes and a mixture of straight lines, sharp creases and smooth surfaces, Japanese DNA is very visible in the Infiniti QX Inspiration. The front end has slim headlights and an illuminated Infiniti logo. On the other hand, there is no front grille or air intake.

But the designers have wisely kept the silhouette of the real grille to give the QX Inspiration a very distinct look. This meant adopting an open-space approach between the lines of the concept. In particular, Infiniti designers were drawn to the nature of paper and the art of origami.

“With the QX Inspiration concept, we were inspired by the Japanese Ma concept, the emphasis on lines and the empty space between them,” said Karim Habib, Executive Director of Infiniti Design. “What happens in this space between the lines – the free natural flow of surfaces – is really expressive. It is the empty space between the edges that often carries the loudest message.”

Corporate style elements

The D-shaped pillar with sharp corners contains a bright red line to further define the cab profile. Where other Infiniti SUVs have a long hood and rear cabin profile, the QX Inspiration does the opposite. To prove it, the concept has shorter front and rear overhangs along with a shorter bonnet, as there is no need to accommodate a powerful petrol engine.

“Where the V8 engine can move the cabin to the rear, electrification allows us to move the cabin forward and provides a balanced profile,” Albaisa said.

The Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept is based on a 112.2-inch wheelbase and stands about 64 inches tall. Overall length is 183.2 inches. It has the same external dimensions as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3. In fact, the proportions are very similar to the Infiniti QX50.

Behind QX Inspiration literally shines. A thin, light bar stretches through the back door. In addition, there is an illuminated Infiniti script below the light panel to further add class and sophistication. Everything looks fresh and neatly organized, without the cartoonish flare of Japanese concept cars. Finally, the QX Inspiration sits on 22-inch louver-style alloy wheels to complete the look.

The design team was inspired by the Japanese concept of space Ma - or the craftsmanship of empty space. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.

Hospitable interior: when empty spaces speak

The Japanese are known for their lavish hospitality, and the same can be said for the Infiniti QX Inspiration's omotenashi-inspired interior. As such, the handcrafted interior is spiced up with unique touches, including a Bianco Carrara marble center console, a pillar-to-pillar widescreen display, soft lighting, and sofa-like rear seats. The roof panel is even made from full-grain Japanese red cedar.

In fact, there are so many things with the interior that it's hard to count.

“We took advantage of EV architecture to create a living room-like interior with a flat floor and empty space under the dashboard and center console. In fact, we are not just designing objects inside the car, we are designing the empty space between objects,” Habib said. "We're trying to use that space to emphasize the design - you let the empty space speak as much, if not more, than the shapes and objects that are there."

“Imagine someone clapping their hands. The empty sound between the claps is full of anticipation,” Albaisa added. “Thus, the electrification of Infiniti will bring new simplicity and excitement to the brand.”

What really stands out are the rear doors for the buses with free entrance lighting in carpet style. If both features show up in production, it will surely set the Infiniti QX Inspiration apart from the Tesla Model X and Audi e-tron SUV. Photo: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.

Putting it all together

Infiniti is interested in merging the popularity of SUVs with the QX Inspiration concept. By the looks of it, they have a winner here.

“QX Inspiration is the start of a new era for Infiniti and an illustration of where we want to go with the brand,” Habib said. “New technologies have given us the opportunity to develop our design philosophy – and this new vehicle conveys a serene power at our core.”

Alvin Reyes is an Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics and accounting in his youth and is still very passionate about his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also enjoys fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.

Infiniti QX Inspiration Gallery

Photo Source: Infiniti Motor Company Ltd.