In 2010, Nissan introduced the world to the term "E-Power," with the first-generation Leaf EV. Since then, the branding has also been applied to fully electric vehicles like the Ariya, as well as the hybridised, global-market Note and Kicks. But recently, the company filed for a similar trademark that suggests a second version – or at least a variation – of the current E-Power system. Nissan calls it "I-Power."
According to documents uncovered by CarBuzz via the US Patent and Trademark Office, Nissan has filed for use of the term I-Power in future products. Registered by the company on 5 January 2021, the trademark specifically refers to an "electric drive unit for land vehicles." Given the close association to the term E-Power and the use of the letter "I," our best guess is that this is the upcoming propulsion system for future Infiniti hybrid and electric vehicles.
Gallery: Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept
Infiniti has already promised to become a "sustainable premium brand," saying that it will roll out multiple EVs and a few petrol-generated hybrids over the next few years. Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta said in an interview that the company would share Nissan's EV platforms and the E-Power electric powertrain, but that Infiniti's setup would have a unique name and luxury-specific tuning, lending more evidence to use of the term I-Power. We also know that future Infiniti EVs will also adopt the Nissan Ariya's E-4orce all-wheel-drive system.
As of yet, it's unclear exactly which Infiniti models would use the proposed I-Power setup (if that name is indeed confirmed). The debuts of the QX60 Monograph and QX Inspiration concepts from years past could suggest that a production three-row would be one of the first to adopt the new nameplate, but there's no confirmation of that. We'll simply have to wait and see.
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Source: USPTO via CarBuzz