Sexy Infiniti Essence revealed

[Epik151]

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.

[G_whizz]

FAP fap fap fap

[joe603]

Wow....they should release that thing! If there was ever a "luxury GT-R" this is it!

[370Z/28]

I can just hear Justin Timberlake singing "Sexy Back"



I have never seen a car with 2 different color seats. The luggage ROX. I would hate to have to clean that back glass.

I would take one.

[Poyzinous]

I just had an accident in my pants.... It is absolutely stunning. It will be released in america in 2011 as a 2012 model, with a 450hp, 7200rpm version of the 5.0 VK50VE engine. I hope....this is what you should be posting, hyundai guy...

[Jacko3]

Extremely sexy car. It bores into your soul as you keep viewing the pictures. Excellent design.

[AZhitman]

<-- Sporting monster wood.

Would sell a kidney for that. Srsly.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

wow... That is sweet!

DJ

[WDRacing]

<-- Sporting monster wood.

Would sell a kidney for that. Srsly.

I'd sell both and just have a couple fuel filters installed

[mkaresh]

I'm not a fan of the exterior. The bits that aren't derivative--the ledge beneath the winow, the C-pillar--I don't care for.

The interior, on the other hand, is quite nice. I especially like the separate zone for the driver.

[Ar878]

I just came.F'ing sexy car, only thing I don't really like is the huge mouth for a grill.

[infinitgkid]

this is one more reason why I want to rob a bank or five...

[AZhitman]

I'd sell both and just have a couple fuel filters installed

That's effin' rockstar-status. I'm there.

[telcoman]

Nice but I wonder how much?

I don't think my 101K plan would cover it?

BTW, will it run on regular? Telcoman

[AZhitman]

Too much power for you, Howie.

You're on the ragged edge as it is.

[G37 Man]

twin-turbo 3.7,that is what I want to hear and I want to see that installed in my G37, 434 HP,I could live with that much power. If they have this design it will happen!

[joker350gt]

did anyone else get the part about direct injection? can that be a new feature added to the current VQ 3.7 in the near future?

[kmckis1029]

my mouth dropped when i saw the roof

it has alot of g35/37 lines... but that cockpit and roof need to be used asap

[J. Dizzle]

Looks like a souped up luxury edition of an RX-8. Not that impressed... but not knocking on anyone that loves it! One man's trash is another man's treasure.

[kmckis1029]

now that i look again... it corvette like just a beefy corvette... especially from the side...

[Gold Digger]

I bet I catch hell for leaving the Skyline forum for this....wait...The G is a Skyline....

Anyway, this car is a very beautifuly crafted idea. I do hope it sees production...and SOON.

The driver seat...well, let's call that a cockpit, as that's what it looks like. It looks as if you are sitting in a fighter jet. You are wrapped up in that thing.

I like the integration of the boost gauge and something else INSIDE the tach, then the speedo outside it. Very unique.

Even the passenger looks to be wrapped into the car.

My only issue, the hood looks to be just a little out of proportion to the rest of the car in length only. I just looks a bit akward. I bet if it were to be shortened a little, it would look dead sexy.

But, just my thoughts. I'll go back to where I belong now.

KTHXBY

[SteveTheTech]

Oh I like that. The Japanese have lacked something like that. There are a few things I find interesting about the design of the Essence.

The profile shot matches the design trend that Infiniti has been going for over the last few years. The silhouette ad campaign they started with the 06 M would work well with the car and most of their newer vehicles (excluding the QX). If the lines of this work their way into the style of the future Gs it would be a much different looking car.

The gauges. I find them amazing, the integration of so many things into the drivers frame of view is a great idea, however they are not practical for mass production. The speedo that looks like the display of a Zune is pretty wild and would receive awful reviews from the press and public, it's like a throwback to the old school rolling wheel odometers. There is also a boost gauge and economy meter, Hmmm hybrid supercar? Now that's a new market. Instead of trying to nose into a well established market they will build something for the people who come out of this current financial situation on top.

Direct Injection is a possibility and with the VVEL technology, coupled with some turbos on a well established lower end and a beefed up but still driveable RE07 would make a great combination.

The display shows D3 so it some of of automatic.

Why is it only 26*F where they are shooting this car? And where have they driven it for 400 miles?

[Tonysg35]

v8 v8 v8 v8 v8 v8 v8 why not a v8?

[Poyzinous]

dont worry tony. the 390hp vk50ve is being worked over as we speak. eventually we'll se a 400hp M50S and some more cars to compete with Mercedes, Aston Martin, and guys like that... hopefully

[LuckyLuke]

This car never will going in to production... even thought it looks bad a$$

[audtatious]

v8 v8 v8 v8 v8 v8 v8 why not a v8?

Why a V8? This has 593hp as it is. Infiniti has also stated it could come with a diesel option as well.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

UUUUhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

I love you Infiniti... Thank you for creating such a beautiful sports car that I've had in my head since I was a little boy.

This approach to auto manufacturing is the way of the future.

I recall when I was young, I used to read the Motor trend magazine often after my father had finished.

They once had an article of future vehicles, and they all had this aggressive stance like the essence, it's nice to finally see them into production, even if it's a tease for now. I want to be an auto designer one day, everyone has a dream right?

[Jacko3]

UUUUhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

I love you Infiniti... Thank you for creating such a beautiful sports car that I've had in my head since I was a little boy.

This approach to auto manufacturing is the way of the future.

I recall when I was young, I used to read the Motor trend magazine often after my father had finished.

They once had an article of future vehicles, and they all had this aggressive stance like the essence, it's nice to finally see them into production, even if it's a tease for now. I want to be an auto designer one day, everyone has a dream right?

Excellently said! If I had this car, I could easily be arrested for making love to an inanimate object on a parking lot. I would then be charged with public indecency. This car is friggin hawt! I wanna take her from the front and back and make her scream. Just looking at the pictures melts my heart.

[altbrewer]

Bah! No cup holders.

[audtatious]

Here ya go. Goes right on the door