Lexus has established itself as one of the greenest luxury automakers on the planet – thanks to a wide variety of hybrid models, including the recently launched hybrid-only HS 250h – but Japanese rival Infiniti will look to steal the eco crown in the coming years with at least one electric vehicle planned for production.
Nissan president Carlos Ghosn announced on Wednesday at the Tokyo Motor Show that Infiniti will soon launch an electric luxury vehicle. Ghosn described the vehicle as “stylish, compact, high-performance four-seat luxury Infiniti with zero emissions”.
No other details were given on the future vehicle – including a launch date — but it is widely believed that the EV will be based on Nissan’s upcoming Leaf electric vehicle. However, look for the Infiniti version to be skewed more towards performance rather than all-out efficiency.
Infiniti could also be in line for a second electric vehicle. Nissan hinted earlier this week that a version of its Tokyo Land Glider concept could be headed for production under the Infiniti nameplate.
10/21, 10:32 AM
posted by:
A4
Let me rephrase your first sentence: “Lexus has established ‘green’ as being synonymous with ‘boring’ as well as ‘ugly’.
Go Infiniti, you blow Lexus out of the water as far as I’m concerned.
10/21, 10:48 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
Go INFINITI!!! Do what A4 said!!
10/21, 11:06 AM
posted by:
F50
Please Infiniti, build that Essence concept. You could use a GTR Chassis(Remove the AWD if possible, to seperate them) and make it more refined and it can easily go against the Audi R8 and Mercedes SL.
10/21, 12:02 PM
posted by:
Bankruptcy2009
I think Brazillian Born Carlos Ghosn is doing Nissan well by keeping them competitive. Hmmm me think the Lebanese are very business motivated people. Especially with both Carlos Ghosn and Jacques Nasser at the Tops of two Automotive Giants. Well maybe Ghosn still is leading Nissan in exciting areas of Electric and Corvette ZR1 Stomping Nissan GT-R V Specs and Nasser is now left Ford Motor to go over to the Australia Mining Giant BHP Billiton, the world’s largest mining Group to Investigate the new types of competive Metal minerals mined!
10/21, 1:09 PM
posted by:
scratchy
that car in the picture is a Japanese car that actually looks good.
10/21, 1:11 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
I’m not an Infiniti fan, but they build some great looking cars as far as I’m concerned (Including the one pictured above). I would definitely take one over a Lexus anyday of the week.
Well… Except for that Land Glider…
10/21, 1:11 PM
posted by:
carstuff
Battery prices are plummeting even before they are introduced. GM was using $1000/kwh (x 16 for Volt) but is now seeing $500/kwh prices from suppliers and looks like under $400 in the next few years.
So that $40k Volt number folks have been throwing around would be now $32k and with the $7500government subsidy you have a $25K vehicle. Now I doubt it will really sell for that in the first years but look for price dropping in the out years
While still expensive you can see all the marques are now jumping on the bandwagon with electrics because they see the prices dropping.
10/21, 1:20 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
Land Glider…hahha…good stuff…made me LOL
The interior of the car is PHENOMENAL in my opinion!
10/21, 11:43 PM
posted by:
coolguy8157
Agree F50..Infiniti needs to launch the Essence Electric and blow Lexus out of water….:) Cant wait to see the Infiniti hybrid
10/22, 9:46 AM
posted by:
dAVE mAN
Now THIS is an electric car that I can see being branded as an Infiniti. Not like that toy from the other post.