11:21 AM
Auto Car Design and Review
Infiniti will show a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive concept sports car at the 2012 Geneva auto show next March, we have learned. The company likely will release more information in the coming weeks—based on Infiniti’s affinity for teaser shots in its introduction of the JX crossover, we may be in for a long slog—but in the meantime we’re left without further confirmed details.
The layout means it won’t simply be a reworked Infiniti version of the Nissan GT-R or any other vehicle in the lineup—unless the engineers decided to do something, er, interesting like turn a front-engine, front-wheel-drive platform backwards. We don’t know what kind of powertrain the mid-engine sports car will have: Anything from Infiniti’s vigorous 5.6-liter V-8 to the twin-turbo six from the GT-R to an electrified powertrain (Ã la BMW i8) seems possible. We’ll bring you more information as soon as it emerges.
UPDATE 11/17, 8:00 a.m.:
Infiniti has revealed the car will feature a range-extended electric powertrain, and also released two teaser images of the concept. The automaker did not provide any details on the powertrain.
As for the images Infiniti provided, one shows the rear-left quarter of the sports car, and the second gives a look at the passenger-side front fender. Even though the views are limited, the concept is identifiable as an Infiniti. It features the same flowing surfaces and lines as several recent show cars from the Japanese luxury brand, including the Etherea and Essence. One element we like in particular is the sharp crease that appears to run from the hood down into the body side. We also dig the concave shape in the C-pillar area; it also appears there may be an intake there for cooling the range-extending powertrain. We expect more teaser photos as we approach the concept’s Geneva debut.
With its Small Sports EV Concept Honda intends to apply its green technologies to a more emotional vehicle concept, in the form of a compact open two-seater.
Similarly to the AC-X, the exterior exhibits a white paintwork accented with blue LED lights.
Small Sports EV Concept
AC-X Concept
Micro Commuter Concept
Motor Compo Concept
E-Canopy Concept
RC-E Concept
Townwalker Concept
The company also will show the first in its new series of N minicars, the N BOX. It’s a kei car with rear sliding doors. And it’s boxy. The letter N has a history with little Hondas, having been used in the 1960s and ’70s on the N360 and N600.
Leaked brochures of the Toyota version be damned, Subaru continues to prepare us for the Tokyo auto show reveal of its rear-drive sports car with information hors d’oeuvres.
