Infiniti Preparing BMW M And Mercedes-Benz AMG Rival Range: Report
Infiniti is reportedly looking at spicing up its US line-up by transforming the Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) marque into a segment leader.
Until now, the IPL range has brought sporting tweaks that are more in line with the F Sport range offered
Infiniti is reportedly looking at spicing up its US line-up by transforming the Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) marque into a segment leader.
Until now, the IPL range has brought sporting tweaks that are more in line with the F Sport range offered by Lexus, which sits as a performance package beneath the pure F badge.
In a move that would give Infiniti a true top-shelf offering, the luxury brand could soon look to deliver a production version of the Emerg-E concept unveiled at Geneva last month.
Speaking with US industry paper Automotive News this week, Infiniti America's Ben Poore confirmed that the high-performance plug-in hybrid coupe is under consideration.
"IPL is to us a steppingstone," Poore told Automotive News. "It's not an AMG, and it wasn't intended to be. It's a place where we're going to start a subbrand."
As a 'green' performance car, the Emerg-E would rival Audi’s upcoming R8 e-tron and BMW’s i8 plug-in hybrid coupe.
Poore added that while IPL will not expand to cover the variety of models currently available under the Mercedes-Benz AMG banner (now a Renault Nissan partner), the brand will definitely grow beyond the current IPL-enhanced G coupe and convertible models.
For now, Infiniti has no plans to deliver its current IPL models in right-hand-drive form - a disappointment for local enthusiasts.