Sens4Miles

Infiniti Essence



It might be a name that’s new to the UK, but Infiniti is set to celebrate it’s 20th anniversary at this year’s Geneva Motor Show with a very special concept car.

Established by Nissan, the Infiniti brand was first launched in the USA, before going on sale in Japan last year. The company is committed to launching in the UK later this year, and will sell a range of coupé, saloon and four-wheel drive models, aimed at upmarket rivals like BMW and Mercedes.

Though details of this latest model are limited, and our pictures only show a small section of detail, Infiniti has admitted the model has been built in collaboration with fashion giant Louis Vuitton.

Our image shows a detail of the innovatively styled creased C-pillar, which suggests that the concept will be a radical piece of design.

Those looks will also hint at the future design direction of Infiniti, with this concept eventually set to become a large saloon to take on the BMW 5-Series.

Under the skin the newcomer offers rear wheel drive, and a powerful V8 engine. Infiniti has also hinted that the car will be fitted with the firm’s four wheel steer system that debuted on the G37.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...i_essence.html

IS-SV

Or just a new fragrance....

ren495

don't they have the M to compete with 5 series? this looks like another loser attempt by infiniti to compete with Lexus LS and Benz S class. And I say loser because its infiniti we're talking about

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Why? Infiniti has proven to be competitive with Lexus and the Germans. G and M are some of the top sedans in their classes, and while the EX and FX are butt ugly, they're pretty good for what they are.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

That's the C-pillar?!?

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Lexus is not even mentioned as a target for this car according to the article..

Infiniti is on the move with the product..

Faymester

No concept of Ininiti is true until the release one of those two-line sketch thingys

ie.

oldcajun

The "M" is due for a redesign and this is likely the concept that shows the direction of the new design, something Infiniti has done before. The next M series powertrain is pretty much set with the 5 liter V8 and 3.7 liter V6 coupled to the 7 speed automatic gearbox. In the FX50, the V8 gets 390 hp so for the sedan I think we can expect at least 400 hp, maybe a little more.

It would be nice to have a really "swoopy" M50 coupe as part of the new product line.

If not a hint at the new M, is this the Infiniti version of the GTR?

Steve

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

obsession........calvin klein

Oooh, I can't wait for the new "Q"

LexFather

I think its a pretty cool idea to call it "essence". Should be the next M37/50 which I am sure will extend on the current cars capabilities. Its been a huge hit for them. I'm not a fan of the current cars looks so I hope this one I like more. However, the move to do it with LV is not so great considering the economic climate (people shying away from big brands) but I commend them for the try.

So. Have you seen ADS as of late by Audi and Hyundai. Yup, Lexus and BMW mentioned both times.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Essence sure sounds better than a bunch of letters and numbers. I hope they start a trend of naming cars real names again rather than letters and numbers.

whoster

but BMW, Audi, and MB have always used numbers and letters....

Faymester

Good for them?

IS-SV

Yes I like the number system too, if they actually and consistently had some meaning. But have you noticed how the marketing people at MB and BMW like to play games with the numbers so that they don't actually jive with engine displacement, it's just a lame game IMHO. I'd like the numbers to consistently jive with displacement, like the C350=3.5L.

Mr. Jones

Hope its based on the GTR