Infiniti Prototype 9 Concept
In the post-World War II era of Grand Prix racing, where cars that spent years cooped up in factories hit the track again, and Alfa Romeo dominated in almost every way, it is an accepted fact that the cars of the day represented the extent of technology available to the competitors and their respective countries at that time. Today, more than seventy years later, the high performance luxury arm of Nissan that began in 1985 with a name reminiscent of a futuristic superhero squad—The Horizon Task Force—asks the question: what if we had created a race car in the 1940’s?
The Pebble Beach Concours is known for its exhibition of rare, wonderful, futuristic and sometimes soon-to-be-released concept cars. This year Nissan Motors and Infiniti made a splash with its 1940’s barn find concept grand prix racer that never was, but now is “a sleek, open-wheeled electric retro-roadster prototype.” Still with us?
Infiniti’s romantic notions were rewarded with precise Japanese craftsmanship embodied in the retro aeronautical designs and the smooth aerodynamic surfaces apparent in its period specific long slender body. The quintessential Infiniti grille gives the roadster a modern finish that leaves no room for guesswork where the manufacturer is concerned. Also, the minimalist road focused exposed cockpit swathed in black leather with contrast red stitching closes the door to distraction and allows the driver to achieve his ultimate goal of enjoying the drive.
The EV powertrain is a 30kWh high-voltage battery paired with a prototype electric motor that has not yet made its appearance in an electric vehicle. The motor produces 148-hp and 236 pound-feet of torque through a single speed transmission. The Prototype 9 has a top speed of 105.6-mph and make a sprint to 62-mph in 5.5 seconds with a maximum EV ranger of 20 minutes with heavy track use.
Though what lies under the hood exists in stark contrast to the antique charm and concept of the exterior, the Prototype 9 was a successful exercise in the imaginative explorations of a brand with a strong history and a positive future.
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