Infiniti creates the retro-modern Prototype 9
Infiniti didn't exist during the 1940s. Even if it had, a single-seat grand prix racer would've been a very low priority for a Japanese company trying to operate in the immediate post-war period.
Such historical pedantry has been ignored for Prototype 9, which imagines what an Infiniti open-wheel car from that era might have looked like.
Some aspects definitely fall into the 'old-fashioned' category. They include the steel ladder chassis, hand-beaten bare steel body panels and minimalist cockpit. 19” centre-lock wire-spoke wheels, cross-ply tyres and a leaf spring suspension set-up also contribute to the nostalgic vibe.
By contrast, a pure-electric powertrain offers a vision of the future. Prototype 9 boasts a next-generation motor that sends 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 320 Nm (236 lb/ft) of torque to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission.
With a weight of just 890 kg (1,962 lbs), the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint can be achieved in a creditable time of 5.5 seconds. A 105 mph (170 km/h) top speed is less impressive, though.
Energy comes from a high-voltage lithium-ion battery. Its 30 kWh capacity should allow around twenty minutes of hard track use.
The svelte Infiniti Prototype 9 will appear in public for the first time at this month's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Such historical pedantry has been ignored for Prototype 9, which imagines what an Infiniti open-wheel car from that era might have looked like.
Some aspects definitely fall into the 'old-fashioned' category. They include the steel ladder chassis, hand-beaten bare steel body panels and minimalist cockpit. 19” centre-lock wire-spoke wheels, cross-ply tyres and a leaf spring suspension set-up also contribute to the nostalgic vibe.
By contrast, a pure-electric powertrain offers a vision of the future. Prototype 9 boasts a next-generation motor that sends 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) and 320 Nm (236 lb/ft) of torque to the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission.
With a weight of just 890 kg (1,962 lbs), the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint can be achieved in a creditable time of 5.5 seconds. A 105 mph (170 km/h) top speed is less impressive, though.
Energy comes from a high-voltage lithium-ion battery. Its 30 kWh capacity should allow around twenty minutes of hard track use.
The svelte Infiniti Prototype 9 will appear in public for the first time at this month's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
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