Infiniti Synaptiq Wins People’s Choice at 2014 LA Auto Show
Infiniti’s Synaptiq concept, featuring modular design and advanced tech, took the first-ever People’s Choice Award at the 2014 LA Auto Show Design Challenge.
Infiniti secured the inaugural People’s Choice Award at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge with its Synaptiq concept, a modular vehicle designed to anticipate the way cars might interact with drivers in 2029. The public vote, held on Facebook, marked the first time the award was decided by show attendees and online fans.
The Synaptiq was Infiniti’s answer to the challenge’s theme: how vehicles will connect with humans in the future. The concept integrates augmented reality, 3D holograms and wearable technologies, allowing the driver to interact with the car through both physical and digital interfaces. Its most distinctive feature is a modular frame that can swap body styles for different types of racing, including air, rally and circuit events, an approach Infiniti dubbed the A.R.C. Race triathlon.
Modular design for multiple disciplines
Infiniti’s Synaptiq concept stood out by proposing a single vehicle architecture adaptable for three distinct motorsport environments. Instead of three separate vehicles, the Synaptiq’s core frame could be fitted with different body modules, enabling rapid transformation between air racing, rallying and circuit track formats. This approach aimed to showcase both flexibility and the potential for future mobility solutions that blur the lines between traditional vehicle categories.
Competition and public response
The 2014 Design Challenge attracted entries from established and emerging brands, including BMW Group DesignworksUSA, McLaren Automotive, Peterbilt Motors, Qoros Auto and SAIC Motor MG. While the Synaptiq’s modularity and technology focus caught the public’s imagination, the entry also benefited from the expanded voting process, which for the first time allowed the public to select the winner rather than a panel of judges. Infiniti’s win reflects growing interest in user-driven design recognition at major motor shows.
