INFINITI first introduced the QX Inspiration concept at the 2019 North American International Auto Show to showcase its new design language. The concept “signals the brand’s intention to produce a fully electric midsize SUV.” To make the electric vehicle standout, their first task was to craft a beautiful handcrafted, lounge-like cabin. And for this purpose, they joined hands with well-known furniture expert, Tendo Co. The idea was to create an interior, which would warmly welcome the passengers, giving them a sense of comfort.
With around 80 years of experience, Tendo was an ideal furniture producer for the concept model. Their products have been known to last for a long time with a limitless appeal.
Mie Tanaka, Color Design Assistant Manager at INFINITI Motor Company, said, “Our first ideas and sketches for the interior were founded in this notion of creating a space that was more akin to a lounge or living space. We took advantage of the spacious layout enabled by the electric powertrain and created a furniture-like expression for every element of the interior. At the same time, we wanted to explore a Japanese sense of beauty, tying the car to our cultural roots.”
“We approached Tendo with this, and, while we had our own idea about how the QX Inspiration’s ‘furniture’ could look, Tendo’s many decades of experience in wood-working and design helped us to create something really special. The result is a beautiful, relaxing space that is rich in Japanese craftsmanship and materials. It is unlike anything we have been able to produce before.”
INFINITI wanted to use organic materials and gentle shades in the concept. The automaker’s design team sat with Tendo’s designers to decide on the material perfect for this purpose. They selected ‘sugi,’ which is a cedar tree synonymous with Japan, to get a feeling of friendliness, and used it to create door panels.
INFINITI and Tendo’s work followed the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which aimed at keeping the interior close to nature. This is the reason we can find knot and grain of the cedar wood inside to allow artisans to incorporate the nature instead of carving something out of the organic materials.
At the official unveiling of the concept in January this year, Christian Meunier, President, and Chairman of Infiniti said, “The Infiniti QX Inspiration marks the beginning of a new generation of Infiniti cars and establishes a direct blueprint for the brand’s first electric vehicle.” Based on a new, dedicated electric vehicle architecture and inspired by Infiniti’s Japanese DNA, the SUV concept previews a product portfolio, which will offer high performance, ultra-low emissions, and range confidence.”
When do they plan to start the production of their first electric SUV? The automaker is still mum about it.