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How Will Alfonso Albaisa Change Nissan Design?

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2016 Infiniti QX50 NYIAS

Infiniti design director Alfonso Albaisa introduces the 2016 Infiniti QX50 at the New York Auto Show

This month, news broke that Alfonso Albaisa, star designer at luxury brand Infiniti, would be stepping into the role of Head of Global Styling for the larger Nissan brand. When a car brand reshuffles its design department, industry experts begin to wonder what that might mean for the future of a brand’s look. After all, while engineering is obviously the most important when it comes to the quality and longevity of a vehicle, exterior design is what makes the difference between a boring sedan and a dramatic ride everyone wants in their garage.


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If we take a closer look at the work Alfonso Albaisa has done at Infiniti, it’s safe to assume that Nissan is in good hands. The work that Albaisa has done for Nissan’s luxury brand is both dramatic and iconic, especially when it comes to the latest Infiniti Q60 and QX50. Before the designer made his mark, Infiniti sedans were curvy without much definition and clearly looked like the Nissan cars they were adapted from. The Infiniti Q60 keeps the previous generation’s love of the curve and adds stamped creases and ridges to give its shape more character. On the QX50 his design philosophy goes a step further, with more changes to the grille and small details that really matter, like LED headlights that resemble piano keys.


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While we’re sad to see the era of Shiro Nakamura, the previous Nissan design boss, is coming to an end, we are excited to see what the reign of Albaisa will bring. Maybe more of Nissan’s production vehicles can live up to the dramatics of their concept cars moving forward.

News Source: Forbes