The Bite Magazine - Spring 2016 - Issue 15

5.5L/100km (42.8mpg) with CO2 emis- sions of around 129g/km.This enables the Q80 Inspiration to offer an audacious blend of extreme performance coupled with social responsibility demanded by modern customers. Beside the innova- tive hybrid powertrain, there is a smart drivetrain that reinforces the sporty appeal with the ability to switch from rear-wheel drive to all-wheel drive on demand or depending on conditions of the road. And what is its acceleration capacity from 0-60mph, you may ask? Well, it hasn’t yet been confirmed, but it may be around sub-four seconds with a top speed of 155mph. Interior Infiniti’s philosophy using the driver-cen- tric approach is to enhance the driver and not restrict them. So with this in mind, the Japanese car brand has intro- duced an autonomous driving technology system using cameras, lasers and sensors that can be employed by the driver when needed through a button on the left- hand side of the steering wheel. Drivers can also engage in an ongoing dialogue through the system via a HUD (head- up display) projected on the windscreen and an Infiniti InTouch-style touchpad positioned in the centre console that will enable the driver to utilise the driving assistance at their discretion. The front passenger also has a HUD showing external information that can be accessed via a smartphone connected to the vehicle’s infotainment system while each rear passengers has a touchscreen positioned in the rear of the front seat rest for on-board entertainment. The cabin has been beautifully designed with four individual leather bucket seats and exquisite Alcantara, quilted leather, polished high-grade aluminum, wood and carbon-fibre trim, all luxuriously covered in light from the sculptural panoramic glass roof. “From a design perspective, the Q80 Inspiration is the epitome of provocation, a car that breaks the mold of traditional premium sedan dimension and body form,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director. “It delivers feminine elegance and muscular menace in equal measure and strikes big in terms of styling, craftsmanship, choice of materials and attention to detail.” Whether the occupants are in heavy traffic or on the highway, the system offers suggestions on the course of action to be taken through audible tones but the final decision such as whether to accelerate and overtake or brake and fall in behind the car ahead will always lie with the driver. As Francois Bancon, Infiniti Vice President of Product Strat- egy revealed, “…we have taken the approach that autonomous driving should bitecars Images courtesy of Infiniti