Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Infiniti Essence concept to run the Goodwood Hillclimb]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/27/infiniti-essence-concept-to-run-the-goodwood-hillclimb/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/27/infiniti-essence-concept-to-run-the-goodwood-hillclimb/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/27/infiniti-essence-concept-to-run-the-goodwood-hillclimb/#commentsFiled under:


Infiniti Essence Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery

When Infiniti decides to tackle a new market, it sure knows how to make an entrance. At the Geneva Motor Show in March, the gas-electric hybrid Essence made jaws drop with its commanding size, beautiful lines, and green-inspired 592-hp soul. Unfortunately for every man, woman and child on the face of the earth, the Essence won't make its way to production -- ever -- but it's actually going to be driven in the UK... briefly.

Infiniti's voluptuous concept will make an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it'll make the run the hill climb and be joined at the FoS-TECH pavilion by the world's first right-hand-drive G37 convertible . While we're more than a little disappointed that the Essence will never hit production, if the concept's handsome design makes its way into other Infinitis, it'd be a good start. Press release below the fold.


Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept


[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Infiniti Essence concept to run the Goodwood Hillclimb

Infiniti Essence concept to run the Goodwood Hillclimb originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>essencegas electric hybridGasElectricHybridgoodwoodhillclimbinfinitiSat, 27 Jun 2009 17:09:00 EST<![CDATA[GT-R-powered Infiniti flagship officially canned]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/gt-r-powered-infiniti-flagship-officially-canned/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/gt-r-powered-infiniti-flagship-officially-canned/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/gt-r-powered-infiniti-flagship-officially-canned/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Any hope of a Nissan GT-R-powered flagship from Infiniti have been officially dashed. According to Brian Carolin, Nissan's Senior Veep of Sales and Marketing, "It's fair to say that there's nothing in the product plan for a flagship right now. It's just not a priority in today's climate."

Rumors of a new sedan packing the GT-R's twin-turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive system have been circulating for over a year, and when the Infiniti Essence concept debuted at the Geneva Motor Show this year, speculation began anew. The initial thought was Infiniti would bring a flagship coupe to market in favor of a sedan, but now, both plans have been shelved due to the current economic crisis and the subsequent downward spiral of luxury vehicle sales.

Carolin told Inside Line that dealers would have fallen all over each other for a new flagship last year, but "now it's way down on their wish list."

[Source: InsideLine | Image: Holiday Auto]

GT-R-powered Infiniti flagship officially canned originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>essenceflagshipgt-rinfinitiinfiniti essenceInfinitiEssenceinfinti gt-rInfintiGt-rnissannissan gt-rNissanGt-rWed, 08 Apr 2009 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Infiniti will not produce show car, but its Essence will live on]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/report-infiniti-wont-produce-show-car-but-its-essence-will-li/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/report-infiniti-wont-produce-show-car-but-its-essence-will-li/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/report-infiniti-wont-produce-show-car-but-its-essence-will-li/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Infiniti Essence Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery

Some concept cars are design studies, while others closely preview production models. But as much as we may have hoped, the gorgeous Essence concept unveiled by Infiniti earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show will remain firmly in the former, as company spokesmen have reportedly verified that the show-stopping show car will not be entering production.

Alright, so that may be no big surprise, but we're allowed to dream, aren't we? That doesn't mean elements previewed by the Essence won't be trickling down to production models. We certainly hope some of the breathtaking design will find its way into production sheetmetal, and reports suggest that the quirky kink in the C pillar could appear on future products from the premium Nissan division. The long-awaited successor to the flagship Q45, if produced, is tipped to borrow heavily from the Essence's design, while its concept drivetrain is expected to lead the way for a hybrid M as well. So while the show car itself will remain a glimmering memory, its bits and pieces will, in essence, resurface in future Infiniti products.


Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept


[Source: AutoWeek.nl]

Infiniti will not produce show car, but its Essence will live on originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>essenceessence infinitiEssenceInfinitiinfinitiinfiniti conceptinfiniti essenceinfiniti europeinfiniti minfiniti qInfinitiConceptInfinitiEssenceInfinitiEuropeInfinitiMInfinitiQmm35m45qq45Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva 2009: Consider The Show Stopped - Infiniti rolls out its Essence on a grand scale]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-consider-the-show-stopped-infiniti-rolls-out-its-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-consider-the-show-stopped-infiniti-rolls-out-its-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-consider-the-show-stopped-infiniti-rolls-out-its-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Infiniti Essence Concept

Infiniti is looking to make a big splash as it enters the European market at an unfortunate economic moment, and not much can tug at the heartstrings of the continent's populace like a high-powered, sexy coupe with a green soul. With the Essence concept, Nissan's upscale brand has delivered in a big way. The sultry cab-backwards coupe is nothing if not dramatically indulgent in its scale (it's a commanding 4.7-meters long), and the rear-drive, gas-electric hybrid is something to behold in the metal, with elements that recall other coupes (the Fisker Karma comes to mind), but a look all its own.

Powered by a twin-turbo, direct-injection 3.7-liter V6 and a new electric drive design dubbed "3D Motor", the Essence yields a combined 592 brake horsepower (434 via internal-combustion, 158 brake horsepower via the lithium-ion backed disc-shaped electric motor).

The very unjapanese scale of the Essence yields a more Nippon-influenced interior for two, including an attractive driver-oriented "cocoon" that features a flat-bottomed steering wheel, hand-painted wood designed to look like Japanese laquerware and eccentricities like asymmetrical seat seams that mimic the way 'Japanese men and women tie their kimonos." Presumably, said kimonos fit nicely in the bespoke Louis Vuitton luggage (made more accessible via a powered trunk shelf).

Click on the jump to watch a video of the Essence in motion, as well specs and a press release including details on the coupe's next-generation Safety Shield side collision prevention and back-up collision prevention technology.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence


Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Consider The Show Stopped - Infiniti rolls out its Essence on a grand scale

Geneva 2009: Consider The Show Stopped - Infiniti rolls out its Essence on a grand scale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingCoupeEssencegas-electricGenevaGeneva 2009Geneva Motor ShowGeneva2009GenevaMotorShowGrand TourerGrandTourerGTHybridInfinitiInfiniti EssenceInfinitiEssenceNissantwin-turboTue, 03 Mar 2009 06:05:00 EST