INFINITI PROTOTYPE 9 CONCEPT REVEALED

Just last week we had a sneak-peek of Infiniti's Prototype 9 concept car, an all-electric 1940's style Formula 1 racer, that alluded to something magical coming our way. 

Well, to say we're gobsmacked by the big reveal is an understatement... just look at it!

Revealed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance over the weekend, the Infiniti Prototype 9 is an EV, built by a small team as an after-hours project to showcase how a 1940s Infiniti Grand Prix car might have looked. Which is impressive considering the brand was only launched in 1989!

Nissan’s Advanced Powertrain Department installed a 30kWh high-voltage battery paired with a new electric motor, powering the rear wheels with 148bhp and 320Nm of torque. Apparently, the Prototype 9 does 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and tops out at 106mph.

According to Infiniti, the battery is good for 20 minutes of spirited track driving, which is a bit of a bummer considering it'll take some time to recharge.

In terms of design, Nissan's premium badge has taken retro to a new level. The car features the classic 40's style exposed cockpit which sits behind its long bonnet, while huge 19-inch wire-spoke open-wheels sit at each corner. It maintains some of Infiniti's modern design cues though with its large, double arch grille neatly sculpted into the front.

Inside, everything is handmade including the instrument binnacles, and the steering wheel rotates around a fixed centre hub. A beautifully crafted single leather seat features contrasting red stitching with Japanese flags embossed into the headrest. 

Besides the very modern guts, the entire vehicle was built using traditional methods of coach building, which makes the project just that much more special.

Spend some time perusing the gallery just to see how beautifully crafted this concept really is. Wouldn't it be great if they decided to race these machines sometime in the future?