2012 New York: Infiniti LE Concept takes EVs upscale, hits markets in 2014

April 5, 2012 Omar Rana 2012 New York Auto Show, electric-cars, electric-vehicles, Infiniti Emerg-e, Infiniti Emerg-e Concept, Infiniti EV, Infiniti LE, Infiniti LE Concept, LE Concept

Yesterday, during the closing portion of the 2012 New York International Auto Show a couple of us were able to obtain a quick sneak preview of an Infiniti compact sedan concept prior to its full debut presentation. Well, this time around, Infiniti themselves unveiled the concept earlier today on the showroom floor. Called the Infiniti LE Concept, the compact sedan is an all-electric, zero emissions sedan.

“In a future that holds an increasing consumption of natural resources, we will advance our sustainable mobility leadership and expand our EV market penetration with new electric vehicles such as the Infiniti LE Concept,” said Nissan’s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn. “Infiniti is well positioned to deliver the objectives for a sustainable future, relying on our capable, hard-working and motivated team members around the world. We are a challenger.”

Featuring a very streamlined design that boasts a very low and aerodynamic 0.25 cd drag coefficient, the Infiniti LE Concept is powered by a specially designed electric powertrain that can produce up to 240 lb-ft of torque—that’s the only power figure shared. But what really separates the LE Concept from other EVs is that it features a very unique wireless charging system.

“In keeping with the Infiniti challenger mentality, the LE Concept includes a built-in Wireless Charging System, which we expect to be the first home-based wireless charging system if adapted for the production version,” said Infiniti America’s Vice President, Ben Poore. “All you have to do is park your vehicle over the charging pad with no need to connect cables.”

Infiniti said in a little press conference preceding the 2012 New York Auto Show that an all-electric sedan will go on sale in 2014 and without too much thinking, this is probably the sedan they were talking about. That said, we could probably expect more details to arise as time goes by.

But either way, Infiniti may have a grand chance to truly prove that EVs need not be boring.