The mid-size Infiniti QX50 Concept that will debut at the NAIAS next month is an outgrowth of the QX Sport Inspiration. It is claimed to show how the design of its predecessor could be adapted for the future production model in one of the world’s fastest-growing vehicle segments.
As with all such recent truck or crossover concepts and ultimately production versions, subtlety is abandoned – or perhaps mocked – in favor of strong, exaggerated lines with aggressive accents and details, along with an exaggerated snout. This radical approach is not without risk.
QX50 Concept is also said to promote the brand’s roll out of what it is calling its autonomous drive support technologies. Infiniti claims its development of future drive systems is that they should ensure that the driver retains control over the vehicle, while providing a proactive approach to safety. Infiniti’s autonomous drive technologies will act as a “co-pilot” for the driver, enabling rather than replacing them, and “delegate” more tiring driving tasks to the car – such as navigating stop-start traffic on the highway or keeping track of the positions of surrounding vehicles.
All this blah blah, of course, is thoroughly mainstream, and already in production as driver assist systems.
The next QX is going to be off-road capable, aided by the concept’s raised by 230 mm (9.1 in) ground clearance. The concept has a short front overhang and a wide stance – total width (excluding rear-view cameras) is 1,900 mm (74.8 in), while length is 4,600 mm (181.1 in).
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