Infiniti has revealed a new, all-electric concept that has been inspired by ‘the spirit of early speedsters’.
The Prototype 10 is a modern take on the classic recipe of speedster cars – with low drag bodywork and a roofless design, as well as seating for just one.
While speedsters of the past are associated with loud engines and the smell of petrol, this concept is entirely electrified. The Japanese firm claims it represents its ‘creative and ambitious’ plans for EVs in the future – although exact figures for the powertrain haven’t been confirmed. All vehicles from Infiniti, which is the luxury vehicle division of Nissan, will be offered with electrified variants from 2021.
With this car, Infiniti continues a design theme that it has used on concepts since the Q Inspiration of 2016 – with minimal creases and thin, long headlights making it instantly recognisable as a product of the firm. The initial design phase was overseen by Infiniti’s design centre in Japan, with the physical machine hand-built in California.
Meet Prototype 10. This new #conceptcar is the perfect incarnation of INFINITI’s vision of an electrified future. Explore more. https://t.co/uysIIL6bqz pic.twitter.com/ZWaoDJHKrS
— INFINITI USA (@INFINITIUSA) August 23, 2018
The cabin of the concept has been created to ‘deliver a thrilling driving experience’. Inspired by single-seat Formula racers, it just has a seat, four-point harness and a ‘highly technical’ steering wheel.
Infiniti president Roland Krueger said: “We all feel a certain degree of passion when talking about roadsters and speedsters. We are equally passionate about the potential that electrification holds for the future of our cars – a daring speedster is the perfect study for our designers to explore an electrified future and ignite such excitement.”
It’s unlikely the Prototype 10 will ever make it into production, although the design supposedly hints at a future look for the firm’s regular machinery.
In 2017, Infiniti made another concept that was a future take on a classic recipe, with its Prototype 9 the realisation of a historic Grand Prix car in all-electric form.