QX Sport Inspiration presages the future of Infiniti crossover design
Debuting at the Beijing Auto Show, Infiniti's latest concept is one sharp-lookin' ute.
Concept cars often hint at what's to come from an automaker. For example, we got our first look at the Acura MDX's new grille on the Precision Concept that debuted a couple of months before its launch. This time around, at the Beijing Auto Show, we're getting a sneak peek at the future of Infiniti's mid-size SUVs.
The QX Sport Inspiration is a blend of design elements from Infiniti's design studios in Japan, China, the United Kingdom and the US. While you might think that this kind of collaboration would lead to a hodge-podge mess, it's actually quite handsome -- in pictures, at least.
It's an aggressive concept, with sharp lines everywhere from the headlights to the fenders to the C-pillar. As with many other luxury crossovers, it's packing a coupe-like profile, thanks in part to a tapered roofline and a small rear windshield. That decrease up top is matched under the vehicle -- 9.1 inches of ground clearance means the QX Sport Inspiration both rides high and sits low at the same time, like a crossover sandwich of sorts.
The interior is about as driver-focused as it gets. Any more, and there'd be a full taxi partition in there.
The interior is just a bit more futuristic, with a heavy partition that damn near isolates the driver. Screens abound and traditional side-view mirrors are replaced with cameras and displays. It doesn't look like anything else on the market, that's for sure. Nearly every surface is covered in leather, as well.
While there are a fair amount of elements that won't likely make it to production -- the headlights might need some tweaking, and it'll probably end up with actual mirrors -- much of what you see here will make it to dealerships in some form. Whether it'll be attached to a QX60 or QX70 badge is yet to be determined.
