They love putting the Infiniti Q60 in videos, and why not? The two-door that goes against the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is sleek, sensual, sculptured and quite a sight to behold, especially in the signature Dynamic Sunstone Red. Saw one on the streets of L.A. recently and it’s dramatic.
But in this latest video outing, the backdrop for the car is the real star, because it is not merely a setting, but an essential part of the story. Besides looking and sounding oh so exotic, Cuba is also in the DNA of Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti’s executive design director.
Now based in Japan where he oversees all four Infiniti design studios across the world, Alfonso grew up in Miami and is a US citizen. However, he identifies himself as Cuban, despite only knowing the country’s history via stories and photos. Here, he visits the land of his ancestors for the very first time, bringing a gift to Havana in the Q60 – the first US-spec car registered in Cuba in 58 years. It was “a monumental task,” he said.
Tracing his roots back to his parents’ birthplace, Alfonso gets to see in real life the curves of the mid-century modern architecture of his great-uncle Max Borges-Recio, including the Tropicana, Club Nautico, as well as Borges Recio’s own home. In the process, the designer may have also found the origins of his own design DNA that is expressed in the unique flowing lines of today’s Infiniti cars.
Nice film, lovely looking car, fantastic location and story. Watch it.
GALLERY: Infiniti Q60 in Havana, Cuba
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- Alfonso Albaisa, INFINITI executive design director, took an all-new INFINITI Q60 to Havana Ð the first U.S.-spec car registered in Cuba in 58 years Ð to trace his roots back to his parentsÕ birthplace. Now based in Japan, where he oversees all four INFINITI design studios across the world, Alfonso grew up in Miami. This was his first opportunity to visit Cuba and see the curves of the mid-century modern architecture of his great-uncle Max Borges-Recio, including the Tropicana, Club Nautico, as well as Borges RecioÕs own home. In the process, Alfonso may have also found the origins of his own design DNA that is expressed in the unique flowing lines of current INFINITI vehicles.
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Proton also should do a luxury division like Lexus for Toyota, Infiniti for Nissan and Acura for Honda. See all of them doing so well.
I suggest to CEO Kenali to start a luxury division. I am sure many film stars, heads of Government and corporate CEOs will buy this luxury Proton division car.
Oh yeah, for leather seat, we can use Goat leather since Malaysia got lots of kambing.
Why bother…they already have Lotus
Kunta, I know U are being sarcastic here but there is a fine line being sarcastic & nauseating.
Proton CEO name is Ahmad Fuaad. Kenali is his father’s name. This simple facts also you got it wrong, what else others .
ppl in cuba must thought that was a time machine of some sorts…
Cuz only can come in after fidel gone…
been to cuba before, cuba has modern cars like the latest BMW and Merc’s just that rather rare and reserved for hotels or government or foreign parties…something like china decades ago
Being a Malaysian, having lived in Cuba for 7 years, this car would stand out like a fish out of water in Cuba. To be fair, the car doesn’t represent what Cuba is, but it’s a good marketing advert anyway.
Re-name/re-brand this car as Nissan it will sell well outside US. To most people, Infiniti is still a US-centric brand which is the same case as Acura (put-off by people outside US). Lexus is different story because somehow the brand has been well received all these years..
90% of Cubans can’t afford this car and driving it around , showing it off may arouse anger rather than appreciation.
Alfonso must than his lucky stars for growing up in the land of the free with opportunities everywhere. Imagine if his parents were not forced out of Cuba…