By Dan Trent | |
| 04 March 2009 10:05:24 | |
Infiniti’s Essence concept at Geneva
Infiniti might be a newcomer to Europe – in fact it's based in Switzerland, making Geneva the home show – but it's been building performance cars for 20 years.
Celebrating this milestone, the premium Nissan brand has unveiled a spectacular concept car – the Infiniti Essence.
600bhp supercar
 |
Click images to enlarge |
The name speaks for itself. The Essence is everything Infiniti does and wants to represent. And while a front-engined, rear-wheel drive supercar may not appear to be exactly in keeping with these economic and efficiency orientated times, the Essence does début Infiniti's new hybrid petrol-electric drivetrain.
For the Essence this combines a massively tweaked 440hp version of Infiniti's existing 3.7-litre V6 and a 160hp electric motor. Not only providing a 600hp total, the system would allow the Essence to travel on electric power alone through low-emissions zones. Don't expect ordinary production Infiniti hybrids to deliver quite such heady power.
No performance figures have been given – though it's safe to say the instant torque delivery of the electric motor alone should make it extremely rapid – but Infiniti claims the Essence would do 35.3mpg and emit just 190g/km CO2. An amazing achievement for such a high-power machine.
And the Essence is stunning in the metal. A Japanese Ferrari or Maserati: the influence is clear, but no bad thing for that. Apparently it's not supposed look aggressive – you could have fooled us – rather “inviting”, and the surface treatment with it's complex crease lines is sensational.
 |
The vents on the side are designed to resemble a “kanzashi” - the hairpin used by women when dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono. And in place of side mirrors the Essence has discrete rear-view cameras – so there's no interrupting its free-flowing, Japanese calligraphy style form.
Further design highlights include the C-shaped c-pillars, and the pronounced ridged edges to the roof. The grill features an illuminated Infiniti badge, while there are details expressed in stainless steel and aluminium throughout – including the interior, which is asymmetrical, with different colours denoting the driver and passenger zones.
 |
Leather, Alcantara, and hand painted wood reminiscent of traditional Japanese lacquerware further enhance the cabin's unique character. Passengers can bask in its “functional minimalism” while their baggage luxuriates in specially created Louis Vuitton luggage, crafted to perfectly fit into the available bootspace.
Overall, the Essence is a fabulous creation. Which makes it even more of a shame that it's hidden out of the way at the back of the top hall. Infiniti really needs to get people to see this car if it wants them to accept it as a genuine alternative to the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.
G37 Convertible
Also on the Infiniti stand is the first European glimpse of the new G37 Convertible. This is set to go head to head with the Lexus IS 250C, which is also here at the show. Like the Lexus, it boasts a folding metal hardtop and open air seating for four, both cars aimed directly at the similar 3 Series Convertible.
With a 320hp 3.7-litre V6 engine from parent company Nissan under the bonnet the Infiniti lands the first blow on the 2.5-litre Lexus, which can manage only 205hp. Driving through a seven-speed auto or six-speed manual gearbox, the G37 should keep the 306hp 335i version of the drop top 3 Series honest, too.
Standard equipment is generous, including standard leather upholstery, heated and power operated seats, keyless ignition and a reversing camera. Options allow for an even more luxurious spec with a Bose stereo and multi-zone climate control that both self adjust according to speed and whether or not you’ve got the roof down. Clever stuff.
Rate this article:
Poor
Excellent
ExcellentYour rating helps other users gauge the value of an article
Latest Geneva Motor Show 2009 stories
More from Geneva
advertisement
Geneva Motor Show 2009 - your vote
- Which car unveiled at Geneva would you most like to see on your driveway?
- Aston Martin One-77
33% - Audi TT RS
6% - Bentley Supersports
5% - BMW 5 Series GT
4% - Ferrari 599XX
10% - Fiat 500 Cabriolet
2% - Lamborghini LP670-4SV
18% - Lexus RX450h
2% - Mazda 3 MPS
1% - New Mercedes-Benz E-Class
4% - Porsche 911 GT3
5% - Rolls-Royce 200EX
4% - Saab 93X
1% - Skoda Yeti
2% - Volkswagen Polo
3%
- Aston Martin One-77
