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Infiniti Pebble Beach retro concept is a '50s-inspired electric grand prix car

Infiniti will debut a retro-inspired race car at next week's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance that combines the style of classic grand prix open-wheel cars with modern design elements and powertrains. The car should fit right in at Pebble Beach alongside all the vintage machinery from the early days of motorsports. Simply dubbed the Infiniti retro prototype, it is Infiniti's idea of what could have been. Basically, the Japanese automaker imagined that it found a car hidden away for 70 years in southern Japan. They took that old look and married it with the brand's "Powerful Elegance" design language. We only have a couple of photos, but it looks like a sleek silver bullet with narrow-section bias-ply tires. We'll have to wait until next week to see the entire thing, but this teaser has us excited. As expected with any modern concept, the retro prototype eschews an awesome multi-carb gasoline engine in favor of Infiniti's EV technology. It's unclear if the car actually runs, but we'd all love to see this put some laps down at nearby Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Related Video:

Infiniti will reinvent its models, tech and design language as part of reboot

Infiniti raised more than a few eyebrows when it announced plans to follow a strategy it described as Nissan-Plus. Although this term suggests the brand's image will be dangerously watered down, its chief executive stressed its flag will remain firmly planted in the luxury car segment as he outlined what to expect in the coming years. The executive team led by Infiniti boss Peyman Kargar will reboot the company with a focus on profitability. "Premium brands should bring more money to the company, so that's the objective. We are not at the level we want to be," he told Automotive News. Several new products are on their way, including a crossover with a fastback-like roofline named QX55, and Kargar clarified many future models will ride on an architecture shared with parent company Nissan. It will be compatible with gasoline-powered, hybrid and electric drivetrains. He explained sharing platforms and components is necessary to save money because the company, like its peers and rivals, is spending a small fortune on developing electrified, autonomous, and connected technology. The shift will likely spell the end of the driver-friendly rear-wheel drive platform found under the Q50 and the Q60, but don't expect Infiniti to put its emblem on, say, a Sentra, and call it a day. It will remain a luxury brand. "The objective is to use these assets of the company, and then to reinject the money we are saving into the luxury experience and ingredients of Infiniti. We will put more money into Infiniti's future, but this money will come from the savings in globalized platforms," Kargar explained. The strategy he's outlining is one many of the firm's competitors have already adopted. Lexus, Acura, and Audi all build cars using parts sourced from their respective parent company. Lamborghini's Urus is related to the Volkswagen Touareg under the sheetmetal. Kargar noted every upcoming new model will be defined by an overhauled design language. We don't know if recent concept cars (like the QX Inspiration introduced in Detroit in 2019; pictured) will influence its upcoming vehicles. However, its future cars will offer nicer interiors, more user-friendly infotainment systems, and they'll receive tech features before Nissan's variants get them, which, oddly, hasn't always been the case in recent years. Infiniti's turn-around will start in 2020, when the aforementioned QX55 makes its debut after a brief delay.

Infiniti prices Q50 2.0t from $34,855, hybrid from $47,955

Infiniti has a whole range of new engines coming out for the Q50. And that means a new pricing scheme to go along with it. The bottom line is that you can now get into the sports sedan for as little as $34,855 (inclusive of the $905 destination charge). That price is for the 2.0-liter turbo model that's the new point of entry into the range with 208 horsepower on tap. It also represents a much lower starting price for the 2016 model than the one it replaces, which started at over $38k for the base Q50 3.7. It also undercuts the price of the comparable Audi A4, which also comes with a 2.0-liter turbo four priced from $38,250. The BMW 3 Series straddles the divide with two models equipped with 2.0-liter turbo fours: the less potent 320i with 180 hp priced slightly below the Infiniti at $34,145, and the more powerful 328i with 240 hp for $39,345. If you want all-wheel drive or the Premium trim, you'll need to cough up an extra couple grand for each, which is a larger premium than the Japanese automaker charged before. Pricing for the V6-powered 3.0t and Red Sport 400 models are still to come. But along with the 2.0t sticker, Infiniti also released pricing for the hybrid model, which only comes in Premium spec and starts at $47,955. That's a couple grand more than the outgoing version cost at $45,305. For the time being, the top of the line is the Q50 Hybrid Premium AWD, which goes for $49,955. Related Video: INFINITI ANNOUNCES U.S. PRICING FOR 2016 Q50 2.0T AND Q50 HYBRID PREMIUM MODELS First two of four available Q50 engines available now, new 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo-equipped models to follow later this year NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Infiniti today announced pricing for the 2016 Infiniti Q50 2.0t and Q50 Hybrid Premium models, which are on sale now at Infiniti retailers nationwide. Pricing starts at $33,950 for the Q50 2.0t and $47,050 for the Q50 Hybrid Premium. The Infiniti Q50 sports sedan, Infiniti's best-selling model, enters the 2016 model year with an array of significant enhancements, starting with the addition of three new turbocharged engines and continuing with new technologies designed to enhance the already strong driving dynamics of Infiniti's best-selling model. The 2016 Infiniti Q50 is now offered in an expanded range of trim levels, each in a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive – Q50 2.0t and Q50 2.0t Premium, Q50 3.0t Premium, Q50 Hybrid Premium, Q50 3.0t Sport and Q50 Red Sport 400.