Nissan used the Los Angeles Auto Show to introduce
the 2019 Maxima and Murano, but that wasn’t the only the thing company had to
reveal. At the end of the automaker’s press conference, Nissan’s Senior Vice
President of Global Design confirmed the company will introduce a new electric
vehicle concept at the North American International Auto Show in January.
Alfonso Albaisa didn’t say much about the model, but hinted that it “breaks new
ground in design, packaging and, of course, Nissan performance.”
Little else is known about the concept, but Nissan
introduced the electric IMx concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. A few months
later, the automaker showed off the IMx Kuro concept at the 2018 Geneva Motor
Show. Both were crossovers that featured two electric motors which produced a
combined output of 429 hp and 700 Nm of torque.
It remains unclear if the latest concept will also
be a crossover, but it’s a strong possibility even though the automaker is
committed to sedans. Regardless of what form the concept takes, it won’t be the only
electric vehicle in the Motor City. In an interview with Autoblog, Albaisa also
confirmed Infiniti will use the North American International Auto Show to
introduce an electric concept.
Infiniti’s latest concept will apparently build on
the well-received Q Inspiration concept which debuted in Detroit earlier this
year. This suggests the upcoming model could have a flowing design which hints
at the automaker’s future styling direction.
A lot of details remain a mystery, but Albaisa said
both concepts will use a new battery pack which is thinner than existing units
and has a higher energy density.
