Friday, August 20, 2010

RWD Infiniti D20 to Combat 1 Series!

Infiniti D20, an entry-level rear-wheel drive hot hatch with BMW's 1 series squarely in its sights.

C H O P — Infiniti takes on the admittedly limited niche market rear-wheel drive hatchback class with this new D series. Power comes from a brand new 2.0 liter four-cylinder. Performance variants will include both a turbo- and a supercharger for maximum efficiency, power and torque. Available in three states of tune: D20 with 150hp/165ft-lbs, D20t with 190hp/215ft-lbs, and the D20t3 with 250hp/275ft/lbs. Economy ranges from 45 combined highway/city for the D20 to 32 combined for the D20t3. A hybrid drivetrain will be available in six months, with a lithium ion battery pack guaranteed for ten years and 150,000 miles, and a small electric motor in each wheel hub for fully electronic all-wheel drive and a 75mpg combined rating. A 100 mile electric-only range capability will be offered. Three and five doors will be available. Depending on sales, the range could expand with a coupe and convertible towards the end of the their first three year cycle. US sales will commence at the same time as European sales.

First chop since my bike mishap. Even though I still only have nine good fingers, those nine are doing OK, lol. I did another small Infiniti coupe, the R25 a few years ago from the same base photo of an Alfa Romeo MiTo, but it was pretty crude compared to this one. Cute, but crude. I work in a much higher level of detail these days.

13 comments:

  1. That is a HANDSOME car! I love it! I never understand all the specs, but as I've said before, I do know what I like the looks of...and i DO like the looks of this one...a LOT! Just stopped by to link to Marius' blog (hope everyone stops by there and pays him a visit..I am enjoying it a lot)and was happy to see a new post..
    mare

    ReplyDelete
  2. I JUST SENT YOU AN E-MAIL FULL OF BEAUTIFUL OLD CARS. I HOPE YOU ENJOY.CONSIDER IT A GIFT FOR A MAN THAT HAS EVERYTHING.

    GRANNY

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good Morning Casey and all - well it's Friday and off to Wings of Hope I go. Casey I think I will take the D20 today if you don't mind - I feel like turning heads today. ; )

    ReplyDelete
  4. I remember the BMW 318ti - the chopped off 3 series hatch. I always kind of liked them, but I think that car is a tough sell over here. Why, I don't know. They're sporty, perfect for a single person and have plenty of cargo space.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Infiniti, please build this now! I would love to drive one so badly and be a proud owner, please!

    If they were ever to produce this with your specs, Casey, I think every other company will be out of business.

    The design carries a little Alfa, Opel and maybe Chrysler, perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The base image was a 2008 Alfa Romeo MiTo. I really like the way this one turned out too! thanks Woody, I posted it a couple of other chop sites, and most people think the door is too long, but it's exactly the same length as the MiTo. Funny how people see things differently.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Casey, that is hilarious! I'm looking at a pic of a Alfa MiTo as I write this - it is such a great looking car! Love the round taillights.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Isn't the MiTo great looking? I'm so sorry that family-priced Italian cars aren't sold here anymore. We get Ferraris and Maseratis, and my town has a few of both, but I really miss new Fiats, Alfas and Lancias. Maybe someday.... I'd love a late '60s Fiat 124 coupe or a mid '70s Lancia Beta coupe. I had a '75 Beta coupe for the entire summer of '77 and it was a fabulous car.

    ReplyDelete
  9. MY SON IN LAW OWNED A ALFAS FOR YEARS. I ALWAYS WANTED THAT CAR AND HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SOLD OR GAVE IT TO ME BUT BOTH HE AND GRAMPS AGREED THE STIRRING WAS TO HARD FOR ME TO HANDLE. [NO POWER STIRRING] AFTER HE MERRIED MY DAUGHTER HE PUT IT IN HIS MOMS' GARAGE AND NEVER DROVE IT MUCH ANYMORE. AFTER IT SAT FOR SO LONG HE FINALLY SOLD IT. HE WAS GOING TO KEEP IT IN CASE HE EVER HAD A SON BUT DECIDED IT WAS A SHAME TO LET IT SIT. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL CAR. I NEVER DID GET TO DRIVE IT. [SAD]

    GRANNY

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really like the look of that! The design is smooth and fluent. Good work.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks! I like this one too. I think if anyone could pull off another rear-wheel drive hatchback, it could be Infiniti.

    ReplyDelete