Ever since the first hybrid -- the spacey, two-seat Honda Insight -- arrived in
the U.S., most green cars have featured love-it-or-hate-it styling. Some of that
has been by design, with the goal of making them instantly recognizable as
different from a normal, gas-powered car. Indeed, nothing says hybrid quite like
the wedge shape of a Toyota Prius. Nissan has been seeking that same type of
recognition in the all-electric arena with its Leaf. But as green becomes more
mainstream, that strategy is starting to change.
Recently, several gas-powered
cars, including the Ford Focus and Hyundai Sonata, were fitted with alternative
powertrains, with more on the way. And automakers that are developing green halo
cars are striving to produce designs that are recognizable but not as
potentially off-putting. This issue is becoming increasingly important in the
burgeoning "sustainable luxury" car segment. One only need look at the Fisker
Karma or Tesla Model S to know that expressive, dynamic exterior designs and
alternative power can coexist.
While they all had slightly different takes on what has been the most
difficult hurdle to overcome, the assembled Infiniti designers and product
planners agreed on one thing: the Infiniti LE Concept was a very challenging
project. Early on, the team was completely open to what the final product would
look like, and there was no directive from above saying it should be a sedan,
hatchback, or even a crossover. But because the slate was clean and everybody
had their own ideas about what kind of vehicle a luxury electric car should be,
things got ugly at times.
"Ultimately all of our market research indicated that a sedan is the car
that most consumers want in a luxury EV," said Denise Barfuss, a senior manager
for Infiniti marketing. "If you look at the market for green vehicles, nearly
all of our competition has a hatchback because of the favorable aerodynamics and
space in a compact footprint. Even our sister car, the Leaf, is a hatchback. But
as a luxury marque, our choice of a sedan platform was more purposeful."
"We didn't want to make the LE too unique," said Hirohisa Ono, a
Nissan/Infiniti design manager. "It's an Infiniti first and an EV second.
A car
like the Leaf is an EV first. Although the LE doesn't look like any other
Infiniti, it still maintains our DNA with the emotive lines, the crescent cut on
the C-pillar, the 'bird of prey' headlights, and its distinctive grille."
When the roomy sedan shape and modern, swoopy design are coupled with
other innovations on the LE Concept such as wireless charging and a cabin
inspired by the collar of a Japanese kimono, the result is an electric car that
doesn't scream "green" or "compromise." It delivers on Infiniti's goal of
creating a unique halo car that is luxury first and electric second, yet
capitalizes on both. We're eagerly awaiting our chance to drive it, which
Infiniti says will be early next year.
