It began as an idea, a sketch – imagining if the forebearers of INFINITI had built an e-roadster in the 1940s. Inspired by the Prince Motor brand, as well as roadsters and aircraft of the era, the sketches were stunning. So stunning, in fact, we felt compelled to bring them to fruition.
Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President, Global Design
Every line, every curve of Prototype 9 is the result of painstaking traditional handcrafting. The Takumi, our master artisans, hammered the panels into shape and incorporated INFINITI’s signature design elements, such as the double-arch grille, “shark gills” aft of the front wheels, a single-crease hood, and sharp lines that stretch from front to rear.
The intimate and focused cockpit is the result of two Japanese approaches to craftsmanship – “mitate” and “shitate.” Mitate relates to the practice of curating and bringing together the best possible selection of materials. Shitate is the desire to tailor the chosen combination of materials, bringing out their best characteristics.
Created far from production lines, this after-work project required crafting methods that are just as technical as those in modern production vehicles, but far more traditional.
INFINITI’s contemporary cars are characterized by deep-stamping production methods, which enable sharply defined lines and smooth body surfaces. But while Prototype 9 shares these striking visual characteristics, it is the result of countless hours of careful, handcrafted construction. The vehicle’s stunning bodywork is made from steel body panels that were hammered into shape by master artisans and then wrapped around a steel ladder frame. The result is an ultra-modern vehicle whose spirit has been imbued using methods of the past.
In a cabin that features no distractions from the road ahead, the steering wheel rotates around a fixed central hub that houses the driver’s instrument gauges. The hub itself is finished in turned aluminum, an effect found on aircraft throughout the first half of the 20th century.
With fine attention to detail and finish, the cockpit is wrapped in black leather with contrasting red stitching, sewn and finished to echo the style of earlier single-seater racers. Subtle Japanese flags are stitched into the integrated headrests of the deep single-bucket seat.
As word of the project reached across the company, a team of powertrain engineers brought their own proposal: to equip the car with a next-generation EV powertrain.
The Prototype 9 is the first INFINITI to be powered by a new EV powertrain: a 30-kWh high-voltage battery paired with a prototype electric motor.
Single-speed transmission, rear-wheel drive.
"While the essence of the INFINITI Prototype 9 is rooted in the past, it looks squarely to the future with a next-generation EV powertrain. It is an excellent example of our teams’ ingenuity, craftsmanship and entrepreneurism."
Roland Krueger, Chairman and Global President
As more colleagues learned about the project, Nissan employees volunteered hundreds of hours of their own time to develop and build the prototype.
Masters, or “Takumi,” at Nissan rediscovered the art of molding and bending metal to make a prototype. And the car’s heritage-inspired body was handcrafted at the Nissan Oppama Plant in Japan.
The car is inspired by 1940s-era automotive designs, including those of Prince Motor, of which INFINITI can trace its origins.
The car’s welding, trim and chassis were built by master production engineers.
The car is fully electric, powered by a prototype electric motor and battery from the Advanced Powertrain Department.
Prototype 9 was revealed in August at Pebble Beach, California.
Although INFINITI is only 30 years old, we come from a long history of performance pedigree through the Prince Motor Company, which merged with Nissan in 1966. Today, that racing spirit is found in every vehicle we build.
It always begins with a sketch. Then from chassis to powertrain, our designers use meticulous craftsmanship to create each and every INFINITI vehicle.
We strive to blend artistry and craftsmanship with the most advanced technology we can. But it’s only ever designed to enhance your driving experience in its purest form.
