If you grew up in the Cub Scouts you may have fond memories of Pinewood Derby racing, days spent crafting the most improbably aerodynamic vehicle out of a block of pine wood. For those who haven’t grown out of the racing trend, Infiniti has launched its Prototype 9 Concept car reminiscent of an old school racer.
The stunning retro inspired vehicle is fashioned to be a contemporary silver arrow, made in the image of the early day Auto Grand Prix motor racing cars. Its traditional race car features are expressed in a minimalist exterior with a handcrafted aluminum body panel and open cockpit resting on exposed wheels with a wire-mesh design. A front grille and hood ornament feels distinctly more modern and may turn a few heads.
The old school feel of the outside betrays a highly technical inside. The Prototype 9 possesses a powertrain similar to the next-generation Nissan Leaf. Its rear-mounted electric motor runs off a 30 kWh battery pack yielding 148 hp and 236 lb of torque. While it may not generate the speed to match a Formula One racer, this Infiniti weighs in at a considerably light 1,962 lbs that allow it to go from 0 to 60 mph in less than five and a half seconds to hit a top speed of 105 mph.
While it may not be built to suit a modern day need for speed, much like the Pinewood cars of your past, this model is a fine specimen of classic automobile inspiration.