Infiniti LE

The Infiniti LE is a concept car developed by the Infiniti division of Nissan Motors and was revealed to the public at the 2012 New York Auto Show.[1] The LE names comes from Luxury first and Electric second.[2] An Infiniti spokesperson said the vehicle shown is a "production intent" concept and will be on the market in 2014. In May 2013 the company said that it was waiting for inductive charging industry standards before launching the vehicle.[3][4]

Infiniti LE
Overview
ManufacturerNissan
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size luxury car
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutFF layout
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length4,735 mm (186.4 in)
Width1,806 mm (71.1 in)
Height1,486 mm (58.5 in)

The Infiniti LE Concept is based on the Nissan Leaf platform. However the LE concept is powered by a 100 kW (134 hp), 325 N⋅m (240 ft⋅lb) electric motor, rather than the 80 kW (107 hp), 285 N⋅m (210 ft⋅lb) motor used in the Leaf. Like the Leaf, the LE will also utilize a 24 kWh or larger lithium-ion battery pack mounted below the passenger compartment.[5] Driving range on a single charge is estimated to be about 160 km (100 miles).[6] The LE is aerodynamically clean with its high rear deck, aero-treated wheels, rear diffuser, front spoiler and side spoilers to give a drag coefficient of Cd=0.25.[7] The LE would mark the brand's first front-wheel drive car since the 2004 Infiniti I35 if the car goes into production.

A key feature of the LE is its inductive wireless charging. The vehicle can be charged by parking it over a charge point located in the floor, rather than plugging into an electrical outlet. However, the LE can also be charged through its CHAdeMO DC50kW quick charger.[8]

In June 2013, Infiniti CEO Johan de Nysschen said the Infiniti LE was on hold indefinitely as the Infiniti brand was attempting to triple sales by the 2017 fiscal year.[9]

In July 2013, Nissan's head of global planning Andy Palmer said the LE is "not significantly" on hold, but delayed "a little bit" so that Infiniti can incorporate some "interesting advances in electric technology" like new lithium ion battery technology that will increase range and lower the price.[10]

In July 2014, the LE was reported as in development again.[11] However, in October 2015, the company again reversed their strategy saying it will not have such a car in its line up until 2020, at the earliest.[12]

References
  1. Holmes, Jake (4 April 2012). "Infiniti LE Concept First Look". Motor Trend. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  2. Gluckman, David (April 2012). "Infiniti LE Concept Photos and Info". Car and Driver. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  3. Ingram, Antony (21 May 2013). "Infiniti's 'Luxury Leaf' Electric Car Will Wait For Inductive Charging". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  4. Holder, Jim (21 May 2013). "Infiniti plans luxury Nissan Leaf rival". Autocar. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  5. "2014 Infiniti LE Review".
  6. "Infiniti Previews All-Electric LE Concept". 6 April 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  7. "Infiniti LE Concept". 4 April 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  8. "New York debut for the Infiniti LE Concept electric vehicle". 7 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
  9. Mike Szostech. "Infiniti LE electric vehicle on hold indefinitely". Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  10. Mike Szostech. "Infiniti LE delayed to add better tech says Nissan executive". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  11. Voelker, John (30 July 2014). "Infiniti LE Electric Luxury Sedan To Be Built After All, With Higher Range". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  12. "Infiniti electric car plans on hold until 2020". ecomento. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
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