Infiniti Emerg-E concept brings urgency to future electric sports cars

Drawing attention in a cavernous auto show filled with new Lamborghinis and Ferraris is like trying to get a construction worker's attention in an elevator full of supermodels. But the Infiniti Emerg-E electric sports car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show manages to pull that trick off with aplomb — and it could become far more than a show car.

Built as a collaboration between Nissan's luxury brand and Lotus, the Emerg-E uses the same electric-with-gas backup power system as a Chevrolet Volt, but laid out in a sports car. The rear wheels turn thanks to two 201-hp electric motors, which can travel 30 miles on electrons only before a petit 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine turns on to recharge the lithium-ion battery pack.