Infiniti Essence revealed

Epik · 03-03-2009, 11:33 AM

http://www.automobilemag.com/g....html

The Infiniti brand launched in Europe during the Geneva motor show last year. This year Infiniti brought its Essence to the show. The Infiniti Essence concept is supposed to look back on the 20 years of Infiniti's existence and also hint at the future of the brand. Some of Infiniti's key traits are technology, design, and performance - and the Essence embodies all three qualities.

To start, the Essence is a rear-wheel drive coupe with a hybrid powertrain. The gasoline engine is a twin-turbo 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 434 hp. There's also a starter-generator stuck between the engine and seven-speed automatic transmission and it adds 158 hp to the total output. Power for the electric motor comes from a lithium-ion battery pack in the trunk. Infiniti's press release claims the car is "capable of vast speeds where conditions allow, zero emissions where they don't." Not a bad compromise, really.

Of course the powertrain doesn't matter in the least once you lay eyes on the car - the Infiniti Essence is stunning in the sheetmetal. The curves are very sexy and the car has an air of elegance that also carries over to the interior. Inside, the driver's portion of the cabin is black and the passenger's left with a lot of red. Supposedly the driver isn't inundated with controls and technology - all the expected functionality remains hidden until the driver chooses to use items like the stereo.

Sadly, the Essence stands no chance of being produced. Francois Bancon, General Manager Advanced Product Planning, said "Essence is a brand icon... It isn't a teaser for a new model. It is solely dedicated to Infiniti brand promotion, to demonstrate and advocate the Infiniti unique values." While the Essence itself may not enter production, we do expect the design cues to filter down to actual production vehicles.

josephr25 · 03-03-2009, 11:39 AM

That can pass for an actual supercar, especially the way the interior is designed.

Crimson92 · 03-03-2009, 11:40 AM

looks cool

the instrumentation is

gonzo · 03-03-2009, 11:43 AM

Interior reminds me of a coffin. I likey.

blue2fire · 03-03-2009, 11:44 AM

Why did they make it a hearse?
Just look at the Casket like thing coming out the back.

rubber_ducky · 03-03-2009, 11:54 AM

gorgeous

josephr25 · 03-03-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo

Interior reminds me of a coffin. I likey.

Funerals are pretty expensive, so the concept goes hand in hand.

josephr25 · 03-03-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue2fire

Why did they make it a hearse?
Just look at the Casket like thing coming out the back.

Because they're one-upping BMW:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235378

Sorry; all systems are down at work (fortunately, not the internet)

coldfusion · 03-03-2009, 12:21 PM

That is stunning! What a great looking design. They should just make this the rumored Infiniti GT-R

e92leon · 03-03-2009, 01:24 PM

this is an amazing car

nusevad · 03-03-2009, 01:37 PM

i want...

gshb · 03-03-2009, 01:49 PM

590hp VQ37VHRTT....uh er...VQ37VHRTTH? i want....and how come all these concept cars have the nicest silver/platinum paint ever, but the actual cars never come with it.

Prissy · 03-03-2009, 01:59 PM

LV luggage!!

MCMLXXXIX · 03-03-2009, 02:07 PM

there are some part i am iffy about but overall, a very hot car!

and are those supposed to be side mirrors on the a-pillar?

miktrebla09 · 03-03-2009, 02:18 PM

Wow, stunning!

bmw needs to get their ass into gear and produce something as inspiring as this...and stop creating sub sub sub niche crossovers.

Epik · 03-03-2009, 02:19 PM

Way too small to be mirrors. I guess it's possible they are cameras so you can see both rear sides on the inside on a screen.

TK-421 · 03-03-2009, 02:30 PM

Looks like a wannabe Maserati Gran Turismo

Do not want

Greeney · 03-03-2009, 02:34 PM

Sickkkk

Year's_End · 03-03-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by news 4 u

Looks like a wannabe Maserati Gran Turismo

Do not want

I had a similar feeling.

Looks like Infiniti is also going the way of the oversized grille, just like BMW, Benz and Audi (with Audi obviously being the premier brand to do so).

The design is pretty good, but it's a bit convoluted, and I feel like it could be simplified a bit. I see that Infiniti also adopted LED bars, just like Caddi, Audi and BMW (with BMW being the first with the bars).

I think it's interesting how it looks like a sculpture, what with how the details like the spoiler protruding as if they stretched it out from the body.

DM1 · 03-03-2009, 02:49 PM

Absolutely beautiful.... stunning!

Epik · 03-03-2009, 02:55 PM

Audi was first to do big grilles?

Couldn't we technically give that recognition to Aston and Maserati?

ianbiz · 03-03-2009, 03:04 PM

Corvette + Alfa (with some hints of Ferrari) on the the exterior styling.
Ton of Pagani and something else that i cant put my finger on for the interior styling.

03-03-2009, 11:33 AM	#1
Epik Awesome &amp;amp; Likes Cookies 43 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 2011 M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Infiniti Essence revealed http://www.automobilemag.com/g....html The Infiniti brand launched in Europe during the Geneva motor show last year. This year Infiniti brought its Essence to the show. The Infiniti Essence concept is supposed to look back on the 20 years of Infiniti's existence and also hint at the future of the brand. Some of Infiniti's key traits are technology, design, and performance - and the Essence embodies all three qualities. To start, the Essence is a rear-wheel drive coupe with a hybrid powertrain. The gasoline engine is a twin-turbo 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 434 hp. There's also a starter-generator stuck between the engine and seven-speed automatic transmission and it adds 158 hp to the total output. Power for the electric motor comes from a lithium-ion battery pack in the trunk. Infiniti's press release claims the car is "capable of vast speeds where conditions allow, zero emissions where they don't." Not a bad compromise, really. Of course the powertrain doesn't matter in the least once you lay eyes on the car - the Infiniti Essence is stunning in the sheetmetal. The curves are very sexy and the car has an air of elegance that also carries over to the interior. Inside, the driver's portion of the cabin is black and the passenger's left with a lot of red. Supposedly the driver isn't inundated with controls and technology - all the expected functionality remains hidden until the driver chooses to use items like the stereo. Sadly, the Essence stands no chance of being produced. Francois Bancon, General Manager Advanced Product Planning, said "Essence is a brand icon... It isn't a teaser for a new model. It is solely dedicated to Infiniti brand promotion, to demonstrate and advocate the Infiniti unique values." While the Essence itself may not enter production, we do expect the design cues to filter down to actual production vehicles. __________________
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03-03-2009, 11:39 AM	#2
josephr25 Major 73 Rep 1,456 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Coupe [0.00]	That can pass for an actual supercar, especially the way the interior is designed.
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03-03-2009, 11:43 AM	#4
gonzo Lieutenant General 10344 Rep 14,457 Posts Drives: as many as possible Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: TeXXXas iTrader: (0)	Interior reminds me of a coffin. I likey.
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03-03-2009, 11:54 AM	#6
rubber_ducky Colonel 388 Rep 2,993 Posts Drives: roach coach Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: boston-ish iTrader: (21)	gorgeous
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03-03-2009, 12:21 PM	#9
coldfusion Private First Class 12 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LA / SFV iTrader: (3)	That is stunning! What a great looking design. They should just make this the rumored Infiniti GT-R __________________ '13 F10 535i M-Sport '14 Mercedes CLS550
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03-03-2009, 01:24 PM	#10
e92leon 我的車車有Turbo&!!! 159 Rep 2,597 Posts Drives: 빠른차 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: ????? iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2006 RX-8 (SE3P) [0.00]	this is an amazing car __________________ Flickr
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03-03-2009, 01:49 PM	#12
gshb First Lieutenant 5 Rep 362 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: May 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	590hp VQ37VHRTT....uh er...VQ37VHRTTH? i want....and how come all these concept cars have the nicest silver/platinum paint ever, but the actual cars never come with it.
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03-03-2009, 01:59 PM	#13
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03-03-2009, 02:07 PM	#14
MCMLXXXIX wat 240 Rep 3,406 Posts Drives: a gr3at whit3 5hark Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oct 2008 iTrader: (0)	there are some part i am iffy about but overall, a very hot car! and are those supposed to be side mirrors on the a-pillar? __________________ 2012 Toyota Highlander SE - PAST - 2008 e92 335i, 2006 e90 325i
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03-03-2009, 02:18 PM	#15
miktrebla09 Private First Class 5 Rep 180 Posts Drives: biped Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seoul / Boston iTrader: (0)	Wow, stunning! bmw needs to get their ass into gear and produce something as inspiring as this...and stop creating sub sub sub niche crossovers.
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03-03-2009, 02:19 PM	#16
Epik Awesome &amp;amp; Likes Cookies 43 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 2011 M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Way too small to be mirrors. I guess it's possible they are cameras so you can see both rear sides on the inside on a screen. __________________
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03-03-2009, 02:30 PM	#17
TK-421 Registered Sex Offender 617 Rep 4,757 Posts Drives: E46 M3 \| 1JZ S13 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	Looks like a wannabe Maserati Gran Turismo Do not want __________________ Stop putting stuff like painted reflectors and premium package in your signature. You're embarrassing.
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03-03-2009, 02:49 PM	#20
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03-03-2009, 02:55 PM	#21
Epik Awesome &amp;amp; Likes Cookies 43 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 2011 M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	Audi was first to do big grilles? Couldn't we technically give that recognition to Aston and Maserati? __________________
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03-03-2009, 03:04 PM	#22
ianbiz Back in a BMW 208 Rep 5,208 Posts Drives: 2015 335i Msport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (8)	Corvette + Alfa (with some hints of Ferrari) on the the exterior styling. Ton of Pagani and something else that i cant put my finger on for the interior styling. __________________ Ian
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