Infiniti’s electric LE concept, offers zero-emission luxury

The Infiniti LE made its debut at the New York Auto Show this year. Like many concepts, the design, was brilliantly stunning. Luckily, Infiniti plans on staying true to its concept design and introducing a new way of building an EV.

While most EVs are an afterthought, Infiniti went head on with its LE concept. The EV isn’t a rebadged G-series (although it’s about the same size,) instead, it's an original Infinity design--an Infiniti first. All the luxury, sportiness, and a sexy design that you see now, is what you’ll get later. According to Infiniti, the LE Concept sports a 24kWh lithium-ion battery located under the passenger compartment floor, which is the same battery used by the Nissan Leaf. As for tech features, expect Infiniti Connection, which includes Infiniti's Personal Assistant 24-hour concierge service, navigation, and POI search along with a wireless charging system.

Let’s be honest, driving a Nissan Leaf doesn’t get our pulse racing. It’s a boring grocery getter that runs off electricity. However, Infiniti doesn’t want to be associated with a boring drive, since their entire line-up of cars boasts that they’re driver’s cars. So naturally, their EV must contain the same DNA as their petrol powered cars.

“A luxury car for a new generation of sustainable luxury buyers must not compromise on performance.  Buyers want ‘green,’ but won’t settle for any aspect of the driving experience being less than that of their current luxury vehicles," explained Infiniti’s Vice President Ben Poore.  "For those who have never driven a modern EV, the immediate full-torque response when you step on the accelerator is amazing.  It empowers you, without overpowering you – though the temptation is always there to leave drivers in the next lane behind.”

Along with being a drivers-oriented EV, Infiniti has infused the car with technology that’ll make the geekest of geeks blush. Some of you might use the PowerMat to charge your various devices; Infiniti has incorporated that same-styled technology for the LE. Meaning you’ll be able to pull into your garage and charge your vehicle wirelessly. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the technology that Infiniti will be offering.

From the very beginning of this hybrid craze, we’ve been griping about how the hybrids companies offered were too futuristic for common use. The vehicles looked good on paper, but offered little when it came to production. Being a gear-head, vehicles such as the Prius and Leaf didn’t get my pulse going. It was just a regular car, converted to get better gas mileage, at the sake of performance. However, the LE may offer the glimmer of hope that I’ve been looking for in EV’s and that consumers have been looking for. Infiniti has hopes for their concept, as we; cheers to its success in being a game changer.

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