NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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head of product planning Andy Palmer says that InfinitiInfinitiJapan, 1989 > present31 models
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is working on an electrified halo GT car that will be aimed at wealthy Asian buyers in 2016. The style of the car will borrow elements from the Emerg-EInfiniti Emerg-eJapan, 2012 > 201212 photos
and Essence concepts. 

Like those concepts, the Infiniti GT will be either a series hybrid with the engine acting as a generator for powerful electric motors or a plug-in hybrid.

The buyer that Infiniti is looking for the new GT car is wealthy buyers in Asia in their late 20s and older. 

“These customers are widely referred to as ‘little emperors’ —people who are used to getting what they want,” said Palmer.

The reason for the hybrid powertrain is two-fold. First, Infiniti believes that the buyers towards whom it is aiming this car are environmentally aware and do not want to pollute too much while driving. Second, an electrified powertrain decreases noise and vibration to give a more luxurious ride. 

“There are all sorts of issues, especially around NVH. Our target customers are not people who compromise, so we need to ensure we deliver the best of everything," he said. 

The Infiniti GT car will likely have competition from the new NSXAcura NSXJapan, 2013 > present22 photos
that is coming next year, and the production Lexus LF-LCLexus LF-LCJapan, 2012 > present20 photos
, which has been confirmed but not yet dated. Both of these are also high-end, hybrid sports cars or GTs. 

Infiniti wants to sell 500,000 cars worldwide by 2020, compared to about 200,000 last year. The brand was originally launched in the United State in 1989 around the same time as its Asian competitors AcuraAcuraJapan, 1986 > present24 models
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from HondaHondaJapan, 1948 > present102 models
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and LexusLexusJapan, 1989 > present26 models
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from ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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. It began selling cars in China a few years ago and has made China its primary focus. Last year, Infiniti moved its global headquarters to Hong Kong. 

Nissan appears to be transitioning away from pure electric cars like the Leaf and towards electrified sports cars. In addition to the Infiniti GT car, Nissan will an electrified prototype in the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year. 

Source: Autocar