Published on October 1st, 2018 | by Subhash Nair
0Infiniti Prototype 9 and 10 Debut at Petersen Automotive Museum
The INFINITI Prototype 9 and Prototype 10 concept vehicles are making their Hollywood debuts at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The vehicles, on display from Sept. 21 to Oct. 31, are on the 2nd floor outside the Art Center Design Room. The concepts represent INFINITI’s creative and ambitious plans for an electrified future and can now be celebrated by residents of and visitors to the most important Electric Vehicle market in the U.S. – Los Angeles.
PROTOTYPE 9
Prototype 9 is emblematic of INFINITI’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for stunning design. From humble beginnings as a sketch, to the dynamic example presented at the 2017 Monterey Car Week, Prototype 9 has been brought to life as an after-hours endeavour by a passionate and enterprising team of employees from across the company.
The car is powered by a prototype electric motor and battery from Nissan Motor Corporation’s Advanced Powertrain Department. This nod to the future contrasts with the traditional materials and techniques applied for the Prototype 9’s manufacture, including panels hand-beaten by a team of master artisans.
PROTOTYPE 10
Bridging past and future, the INFINITI Prototype 10 recaptures the spirit of early speedsters for an era of electrified performance.
The Prototype 10 provides a window into INFINITI’s desire to deliver driving pleasure, thrilling performance and range confidence.
Following the groundbreaking Prototype 9, INFINITI looked back to go forward with the Prototype 10. A future vision realized by INFINITI designers, Prototype 10 evokes the spirit of early Californian speedsters, and is informed by some of the most iconic car designs of all time.
This is the first project to come to fruition under the direction of Karim Habib, INFINITI’s new Executive Design Director. A project spanning the globe, the Prototype 10’s creation has been overseen by INFINITI’s Japan design center, designed digitally in the U.K., and crafted by hand in San Diego, California.
The new concept is resolutely forward-looking in terms of its aesthetics and is a natural evolution of the form language first seen in the INFINITI Q Inspiration and Prototype 9. The monoposto (single-seat) cockpit is consistent with INFINITI’s driver-focused approach, and is indicative of the new opportunities created for INFINITI by adopting electrified powertrains and flexible vehicle platforms.
As a brand with technological innovation at its core, electrification is a natural next step for INFINITI. From 2021, every new INFINITI model will feature electric drivetrain technology to enhance performance.