The Infiniti Q60 concept is unveiled at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 in Detroit. Infiniti says the Q60 that will go on sale next year will be strongly influenced by the Q60 concept.Carlos Osorio/The Associated Press
If you want to sell premium cars to fashion- and status-conscious buyers, your lineup needs a good dose of sex appeal. And so we now have a clear vision of what sexy means at Infiniti, Nissan Motor's premium brand.
The Q60 concept coupe unveiled here to an exclusive gathering on the eve of the first Detroit auto show press day, is in the words of design boss Alfonso Albaisa, "powerful and intense," not to mention "seductive and attainable."
The car, he adds, "looks like it's been crafted by hand."
Well, then. This is how Albaisa and his team plan to sex up the Infiniti brand. Good timing. Because, let's face it: Infiniti is in desperate need of the Katy Perry treatment. There's a reason she's the halftime show at this year's Super Bowl, and it's not because she can hold a tune.
The Q60, says Albaisa, is all taut lines and potent road presence. This is the Infiniti that should get your juices flowing, put some warmth in your loins and trigger an immediate buying response. This is the "must-have" look Infiniti believes will drive sales and boost the brand's image.
If you've been following the Infiniti saga, you'll see in the Q60 concept certain elements seen before in the Q50 Eau Rouge concept shown last year in Detroit and the Q80 Inspiration concept shown in Paris last year. The Q80 Inspiration provides the emotional piece, while the Q50 Eau Rouge bolsters the Q60 concept's performance bona fides.
Infiniti won't say precisely when we'll see a production version of this concept. However, you will be able to buy a coupe much like this before the year is out. No doubt Infiniti dealers simply cannot wait, despite record global sales in 2014 of 186,200, with 10,291 sold in Canada.