Infiniti Prototype 9 '17

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Miao
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MICHAEL GAUTHIER wrote:Following a preview earlier this week, Infiniti has released new photos of the stunning Prototype 9 concept.

Published by Motor Trend, the images give us a better look at the retro-inspired concept which will be unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Looking like a modern-day silver arrow, the Prototype 9 draws inspiration from classic race cars and features a minimalist exterior with handcrafted aluminum body panels, an open cockpit, and exposed wheels with a wire-mesh design. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse up front as hood ornament feels out of place and the grille will undoubtedly prove controversial.

Despite the retro-inspired styling, the Prototype 9 is an extremely high-tech vehicle as it reportedly has a powertrain that is loosely based on the next-generation Nissan Leaf. The rear-mounted electric motor is powered by a 30 kWh battery pack and produces a modest 148 hp (110 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque.

That might not sound like much by today's standards but the concept only weighs 1,962 lbs (890 kg). Thanks to its extreme lightness, the car will accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than 5.5 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 105 mph (168 km/h). The latter figure is a bit disappointing and so is the claim that the model is only good for about 20 minutes of action on the track.
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MadManCK
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Lol, that one looks like it is based on the design of 50's GP Cars. Should be fun to drive :D
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TheLuigi907
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Infiniti... You sure this isn't a Mercedes? lol
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CHRISTOPHER SMITH wrote:As elegant and stunning as Infiniti’s Prototype 9 is in the series of photos sent by the manufacturer, as in most cases with cars, the experience is completely different in person. This hand-built throwback to the 1930’s represents a fictional history of course – Infiniti opened its doors for the first time in 1989 – 60 years after the era this car represents. If you want to be technical, Infiniti’s parent company Nissan was around back then, but racing wasn’t on the docket.

But in the Prototype 9’s presence we totally don’t care about such historical details. That’s because we’re focused on the tangible details that may go unnoticed – or at least unappreciated – in the stock roll of release photos.

For example, the Japanese writing etched into the bodywork below the 09 on both sides of the car. The gauges set beautifully into the three-spoke steering wheel. The tires, which are proper spec for a car of this period but serve as a reminder of just how ballsy race car drivers were back then. And it’s unbelievable how good Infiniti’s crest looks as a proper hood ornament. It’s like it was designed to be there all along.

It’s the craftsmanship, however, that takes center stage. Infiniti says the Prototype 9 was created through a combination of modern technology and hand-crafted, traditional coachbuilding methods. That kind of detail is less tangible, but it shows through in the protptype's many curves and sweeping body lines.

Being a modern Japanese interpretation of a classic racer, the Prototype 9’s all-electric powertrain is appropriate for the times. Should we ever be fortunate enough to have a go behind the wheel, we suspect we’d miss the snarl of a straight-six engine under that long hood, but that’s one detail we’d be happy to overlook for such an opportunity.
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