HANDCRAFTED INTERIOR LAYS DOWN GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR FUTURE INFINITI CABINS
In line with one of the core tenets of INFINITI design, the beautiful, handcrafted cabin of the QX Sport Inspiration is both 'driver-centric and passenger-minded'.
Laying the foundations for future INFINITI models, the striking interior is based around distinct zones for the passengers and the driver. The front section of the vehicle is focused on the needs of the driver, endowing a true sense of confidence and control. At the same time, the horizontally-biased interior architecture, with lines that wrap around the upper portions of the cabin, promotes a feeling of togetherness throughout.
The four-seat layout emphasizes the designers' desire to give all passengers their own personal space within the cabin, while a fifth seat in the center of the rear bench is available if needed. Despite the relatively compact footprint of the car and the coupe-like roofline, the floating front and rear seats – suspended to allow more space on the floor of the cabin – and the generous 2,800 mm (110.2 in) wheelbase allow all passengers to travel in comfort.
When the doors are opened it is possible to see how the recessed sill-step is level with the floor of the cabin, emphasizing a sense of openness and referencing the harmonization of interior and exterior design.
A strong, twisting character line flows from the front of the cabin to the rear, tumbling downwards at the B-pillar, inspired by and echoing the organic lines of the exterior.
Echoing the organic, natural contours of the exterior and interior, INFINITI's designers have experimented with different cabin materials, using them to dictate some of the resulting forms. The QX Sport Inspiration features a two-tone black-and-white interior, with black surfaces resembling the appearance of body armor, playing off against the soft and gentle forms of the brighter white surfaces.
"We experimented with a range of tailored and handcrafted materials throughout the interior, and our designers have used these different materials to dictate the form, contours and finish of the cabin. The combination of different types of leathers – both hard and soft to the touch – result in a more organic, natural finish." Alfonso Albaisa, INFINITI Executive Design Director
Many of the cabin's surfaces are wrapped in robust black saddle leather, which designers used to dictate the structure and shapes of the central control stack, as well as the lower dashboard, arm-rests, and luggage-space cover. The thickness, finish, and shaping of the material is used to accentuate the rich, natural feel of the leather and to emphasize the cabin's handcrafted appearance.
Some of the hard black saddle leather surfaces are scored to replicate the sharp angles found in a crystal prism. Hard black saddle leather also lines the floor and kickplates, with laser-cut, back-lit INFINITI logos visible upon entry. Lighting has been added to kickplates on all four doors and throughout the cabin, such as the divide between the dashboard and the transmission tunnel.
White leathers are used across the upper dashboard, including harder matt leather with a concave finish which lines the doors and adds visual texture – of shade and light. The multi-function steering wheel is finished in Nubuck leather, while the A-pillars and lining around the panoramic roof are all finished in black Ultra-suede®.
Contrasting black and white leathers are sewn together with silver stitching. Modelled on the Q80 Inspiration Concept, a contrasting tan edging – the hide's natural color – also runs around the top of the dashboard and doors, as well as around the leather that lines the floor. New for its European premiere, certain leather elements throughout the interior are now finished in a deep brown, complementing the predominantly black and white leather color scheme.
The color gradation of the panoramic glass roof acts as a shade for passengers in the rear in bright sunlight, while still affording a light and airy ambience.
The cabin's driver-centric layout and minimalist controls are designed to allow the driver to focus more of their attention on the simple pleasure of driving. Clear and simple ventilation controls are embedded in the mesh of the air vents themselves.
Playing on the infotainment screen mounted in the center of the concept's dashboard, a video will demonstrate how INFINITI plans to integrate advanced navigation, communication, audio, and safety technologies into its future cabin designs.