Infiniti Q80 Plug-in Hybrid on the way to rival Mercedes S-Class

Infiniti are planning a range-topping plug-in hybrid – a production version of the Q80 Concept – to rival hybrids from Mercedes and Porsche.

Most of Infiniti’s efforts of late have focussed on competing at the bottom end of the premium market, with cars like the Infiniti Q30 and it’s high-riding sibling the QX30 – both based on the Mercedes A-Class.

But now it seems that Infiniti’s efforts are moving to the other end of the premium market, with plans for a production version of the Q80 Inspiration Concept from last year’s Paris Motor Show to take on the Mercedes S-Class and Porsche Panamera.

But, just like the concept, the production Q80 looks set to get a plug-in hybrid powertrain to take on the hybrid versions of the S-Class and Panamera.

According to Automotive News, work has already started on the Q80 at Infiniti’s UK R&D Centre, with engineers benchmarking its development against the S500 plug-in hybrid and the Panamera S E-Hybrid, making it clear the Q80 will be a plug-in.

Although it’s by no means certain the production version of the Q80 plug-in will get the same powertrain as the concept, the concept’s twin-turbo petrol V6 with an electric motor delivers a fulsome 543bhp, more than enough to take on the might of the Mercedes and Porsche.