We're rapidly heading toward the end of 2017, but a new auto show season is upon us with the 2018 Detroit Auto Show set to kick off on January 13. Some automakers have already announced their new cars for the year's first event, and Infiniti just unveiled that it will bring a concept car to the Cobo Center. The vehicle doesn't have a name yet, and most details are still under wraps, but Infiniti did say that it "previews a new generation of Infiniti vehicles" and represents the first manifestation of the company's new design language.

"The new Infiniti concept car will take the traditional sedan architecture to its next stage of evolution. A shift toward smarter, more compact and less intrusive powertrains; we were able to create an alternative form with flowing gestures, more engaging in character and more enriching in experience. With its long cabin, balanced proportions and muscular stance, the concept heralds in a new era for Infiniti models," said Karim Habib, the company's design director.

The Japanese brand also mentioned that the new concept would demonstrate Infiniti's "artistry in the new age of autonomy and breakthrough drivetrains," which means that the vehicle will be semi or fully autonomous and feature a state-of-the-art, either hybrid or electric drivetrain.

The company also released a teaser showing some of the concept's front end design. It appears to have an upgraded, larger front grille with a wide lower section, a polished logo, and extremely thin headlamps. Interesting styling cues include the small vertical bars on the headlamps, which could be part of some new LED technology, and the aggressive vents carved on the upper fenders, where these elements meet the front hood. The grille is finished in white, just like the body, which gives the car a unique look. At this point it's tough to say if this show car previews a successor to the Q50 or Q70, but it could be a flagship model. But it's not out of the question to see a preview for a larger sedan, like the much-rumored Q90.

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