Infiniti Prototype 9 concept revealed as race-inspired retro concept

Khodrocar - Despite the car’s Morgan-esque exterior, it’s powered by an electric motor, which gives a 0-62mph time of 5.5sec and a top speed of 105mph. The company’s signature sculpted grille is nodded to on the front of the car.

It bears a similar 148bhp, 236lb ft electric powertrain to the second-generation Nissan Leaf, which is due to be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show. At 4330mm long and 1820mm wide, it’s 90mm shorter than Infiniti's Q30 hatchback but 15mm wider. The low-slung, race-inspired car stands at 910mm high and is dwarfed by the Q30’s 1495mm height, mostly due to its lack of a roof. 

The 890kg single-seater features retro construction techniques, such as a steel ladder chassis and handmade steel body panels. It’s leaf-sprung and without power steering.

The time disconnect between the 1940s-inspired Prototype 9 and Infiniti’s relatively recent launch in 1989 has been pegged as further inspiration behind the concept; Infiniti can trace its history to Prince Motor Company, which Infiniti claims was the first Japanese premium car maker. The Prince R380 will also make its debut at Pebble Beach.

Even the concept’s name is a nod to Infiniti’s current model line-up; 9, pronounced ‘kyoo’ in Japanese, is a reference to the brand’s Q-based nomenclature.

Beginning life as a design sketch, the car imagines what an Infiniti grand prix racer would have looked like and mimics the growing barn-find culture in the classic car industry today.

Infiniti boss Roland Krueger said: "What started as an after-hours idea grew into a fully fledged prototype; our designers and engineers were excited by the notion of creating a past vision; a nod to our origins.”

"They volunteered their own time; more and more staff became involved. Our teams have proven skills in manufacturing, engineering, design and advanced powertrains, yet they wanted to bring their own traditional craftsmanship to the project.”