These are renderings for Infiniti’s EMERG-E concept, a mid-engine, plug-in-hybrid sports car. It’s not scheduled to debut until the Geneva auto show next month, but the images popped up over the weekend in a European design patent database. (Typically, the office holds back on releasing renderings until cars are formally introduced to the public, but some stuff can slip out early. A similar situation last year resulted in an early look at the Mercedes-Benz A-class.)
Infiniti has said that the EMERG-E will be propelled by an electric motor and will feature an on-board range-extending engine. The pen of Infiniti designer Shiro Nakamura—or at least his influence—is clearly evident in the car, which features Infiniti’s now-ubiquitous bulbous grille and complex surfaces on the doors. It’s an attractive design—if a bit busy—and ought to look great in its intended auto-show habitat. The high-mounted side vents and overall profile bring to mind the Lotus Evora; with the British firm recently beginning to market a range-extender-in-a-box system, we wouldn’t be shocked to learn Lotus contributed to the EMERG-E in some way. This is just a hypothesis, of course—it’s just as likely that Infiniti took a page from Alfa Romeo’s playbook with the 4C and re-skinned, say, the KTM X-Bow, which also features intake vents atop the rear fenders.
With these official renderings now out in the open, don’t be surprised if Infiniti releases a full photo of the car in the next few days. Keep an eye right here for updates, and check out our full coverage of the 2012 Geneva auto show next month for photos and reporting live from the show floor.
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