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Carsales Staff22 Jan 2015
NEWS

Infiniti EV boned

Japanese luxury car maker axes electric vehicle in favour of less risky models

When Nissan's luxury division, Infiniti, showed the LE concept at the 2012 New York motor show it promised that by 2015 we would see a production version.

Circumstances have clearly changed and Infiniti's US vice president, Michael Bartsch, told USAToday.com that its EV (electric vehicle) has been shelved – for now.

"We have to be a little pragmatic," said Bartsch, who noted that the focus has shifted from developing a technology showpiece to volume-selling models that will extend the brand's reach. That's code for a sporty new two-door halo model, based on the Q60 concept, which would no doubt spawn a high-performance version to match the BMW M4 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe.

Infiniti's idea was for a medium/large electric sedan with a range of around 160km that would give the brand something that stood out in the premium car segment. The concept also featured special technology that allowed inductive charging, so the car could be parked on top of special charging 'plates' with no plugs required.

Based on the LE concept, it was expected to be underpinned by the Nissan LEAF's battery and electric architecture, albeit with a much more sophisticated skin and of course the possibility of inductive charging.

The LE concept was packaged with a 24kWh Lithium-ion battery and like the LEAF its electric motor generated 100kW and 325Nm.
This would enable the sedan to offer "exceptional acceleration" and a range of approximately 100 miles (161 km), according to the manufacturer.

Tesla is the only car company that seems to have nailed the premium EV sedan, with its current Model S selling in such strong numbers that it has delayed its upcoming SUV, the Model X.

BMW has its i3 EV, but it's a small car only at this stage, and its bigger brother, the i8 is a hybrid, using electric and gasoline motors.

Although Infiniti sales were up by 45 per cent in 2014, from 304 the year before to 441, the importer has struggled to make an impact in the Australian market thus far. However a vehicle like the Q60 coupe could place the automaker in the front of mind for local buyers.  

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Written byCarsales Staff
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