The future of electrified vehicles seems to be on two tracks – upscale performance sports cars and lower-cost city cars. Infiniti is one of several marques on the growing list of automakers apparently poised to develop the former, or at least explore the technology for high performance electric cars.
Infiniti’s Emerge-E Concept features two synchronous DC brushless motors, one driving each of the rear wheels. Located midship, each electric motor produces 201 horsepower for a total of 402 hp. With 738 lb-ft torque available over the entire rpm range, the 3516 pound two-seater can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just four seconds and from zero to 130 mph in 30 seconds. Top speed is 130 mph.
Electrical energy is stored in a 14.8 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion phosphate battery located behind the seat to provide an electric-only range of 30 miles. Like the Chevy Volt, this is a series hybrid with a 47 horsepower, gasoline engine-generator range extender that provides a total driving range of 300 miles.
Lotus Engineering supplied the 1.2 liter three-cylinder engine. A single-speed Xtrac transmission is used. To keep things light weight, the Infiniti Emerge-E Concept has carbon fiber bodywork over a bonded extruded aluminum chassis. It's also slippery with a drag coefficient of 0.34.
While the design originated in Japan, an unexpected opportunity to advance the project materialized through Britain’s Technology Strategy Board (TSB). Its goal is to speed the development of low carbon vehicles for the UK. Besides co-funding from the TSB, the collaboration provided access to highly innovative suppliers and universities.
Not only is this Infiniti's first mid-ship sports car, it is the first Infiniti developed in Europe, primarily led by Nissan Design Europe in London and built by Nissan’s European Technical Centre in Cranfield. Infiniti is producing two fully functioning Emerge-E prototypes. However, a production model is not currently planned and the technology is more likely to make it to market in other Infiniti products.