Infiniti is known for building some of the most awe-inspiring concepts you’ll ever see. It’s nice to see, then, that Infiniti’s form is holding up nicely, as we can see from the Qs Inspiration Concept that’s currently on display at Auto Shanghai 2019. Developed as a sports sedan that showcases Infiniti’s push towards electrification, the Qs Inspiration Concept is a sign that Infiniti’s not just talking the talk when it comes to its electrification plans, it’s provided us with a physical example of what we can look forward to in the future. More importantly, the Qs Inspiration won’t stay a concept for long; Infiniti has plans to build a production model in China, for the Chinese market. It’s all part of the automaker’s goal to offer a diverse lineup of electrified models in the world’s biggest car market. The Qs Inspiration Concept is the first step in achieving that goal.

The 2019 Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept is a Glimpse Into the Future

If Infiniti’s goal was to make a splash at Auto Shanghai 2019, it did just that with the Qs Inspiration Concept. Take away its purpose, features, and it’s importance to Infiniti’s electrification future. Focus on the concept itself, and only the concept. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? . The front section is probably it’s best side, in large part because it looks so clean. The thin headlamps are quintessential of the concept variety, and they do look properly aggressive. But it’s surrounded by smooth white body panels that don’t overextend their purpose.

The hood is smooth. The bumper is smooth. Even the section where the front grille is supposed to be is smooth. Now, the absence of a front grille shouldn’t be surprising since the Qs Inspiration Concept is an electric sports sedan, but doesn’t it feel like this concept looks like an evolved version — and a far better-looking one, at that — of the Tesla Model S? This design process starts with three basic boxes, specifically a large box that represents the passenger compartment and a pair of smaller boxes representing the engine compartment and the trunk section. Depending on the design needs of a model, or a concept, in this case, these boxes are reconfigured, resized, and reshuffled without changing the aesthetic balance of the entire vehicle. This approach is prevalently used by automakers like Mercedes, Audi, and BMW. It’s probably not a coincidence that the man who led the design effort of the Qs Inspiration Concept is Karim Habib, an alumnus of, well, BMW.

Like most outstanding concepts, the Qs Inspiration Concept isn’t defined by just one seminal aspect. The very nature of concept vehicles, and how they’re perceived, is tied into the things that make them appealing in the eyes of the public. Granted, Infiniti has yet to bare technical details about the concept, but the automaker did say that the Qs Inspiration not only serves as a preview of an upcoming production model but, more importantly, it’s a touchpoint to an all-electric future that Infiniti is heavily invested in.

This is the part where the concept itself evolves into something bigger than itself. The Qs Inspiration Concept is great to look at, but it’s bigger purpose isn’t its design or the modular architecture that Infiniti will use on all of its electric cars in the future. The concept’s bigger purpose is to showcase Infiniti’s electrification plans, which includes turning its entire lineup into hybrid and electric cars, beginning in 2025. The company’s new roadmap exhibits tighter planning with a focus on spending the next few years consolidating and preparing for the launch of its electric cars. That’s why we saw the QX Inspiration Concept in Detroit, and that’s why the Qs Inspiration Concept is currently in Shanghai.

Infiniti is preparing to overhaul its entire lineup in six years. That massive and ambitious plan has to start somewhere. Well, it’s starting now, and the Qs Inspiration Concept is the latest manifestation of that plan. Infiniti’s own chairman, Christian Meuiner, even touched on that in a press release announcing the Qs Inspiration Concept’s debut at Auto Shanghai 2019. "China has the most growth potential for electric vehicles globally, especially in the premium segment,” Meiuner said. "The age of electrification presents us with an opportunity to renew our credentials as an innovative challenger brand, ready to move quickly and decisively in this growing and exciting area of the market."

Details regarding the Infiniti Qs Inspiration Concept should arrive soon, but, ultimately, does it really matter? Maybe it does for those who are interested to know everything about the concept. But the concept is bigger than itself. The Qs isn’t just a concept; it’s a symbol of Infiniti’s future, one that we should all be excited about.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept.

Read our full review on the 2018 Infiniti Q Inspiration Concept.