AUTO SHOWS: The latest car to be leaked ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut is
the Infiniti Emerg-E concept. The electric sports car was previously revealed by
leaked renderings (shown in the gallery below) released online two weeks ago.
The leaked photos of the Emerg-E concept show a low and wide sports car
that bears a resemblance to supercars like the new McLaren MP4-12C and the Acura
NSX concept. The front fascia wears the same polygonal grille that graces other
new Infiniti products, the rear has a subtle spoiler and a large lower diffuser,
while the roof has a large panoramic glass sunroof. Interior photos reveal a
driver-focused cabin with a tall center console and sporty three-spoke steering
wheel.
The crux of the Infiniti Emerg-E concept will be a mid-mounted,
extended-range electric drivetrain. As in cars like the Chevrolet Volt, drivers
will use electric power until the battery is depleted, then a gasoline engine
kicks in to help provide extra juice so the Emerg-E can drive farther. We
believe the electric drivetrain will be cribbed from the Nissan Leaf, comprising
a lithium-ion battery pack and an 80-kW electric motor. The range extender will
likely be a 1.2-liter gas engine, and is mid-mounted so the Infiniti Emerg-E is
balanced for better handling.
In the past, Nissan executives have called the Emerg-E concept, "our
vision for a totally new kind of inspired premium performance car... The natural
next step was to push the boundaries where performance and the environment
intersect." If the eco-friendly sports car is green-lit for production, it
probably won't debut until 2014 at the earliest
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