Infiniti Etherea concept to spawn Audi A3 fighter

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:29:00 EST

Infiniti Etherea Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Infiniti executives must be watching 19 and Counting because the vehicle lineup is set to expand just like the Duggar family. The automaker is looking to brings its vehicle count up to 10 models by 2017, starting with the JX crossover and a Leaf-based all-electric vehicle, but those will quickly be followed by an Audi A3-fighting compact.

Slotting in below the Infiniti G, the newest upscale Nissan will be based on the Etherea concept that was shown off at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. There's no word on a timetable for the vehicle, but it'll certainly be here before 2017. The JX is scheduled to arrive in 2012, and the electric vehicle is earmarked for 2014. All three will help round out the Infiniti family, and fill a few voids in the automaker's lineup.

Infiniti Etherea concept to spawn Audi A3 fighter originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Infiniti Etherea Concept tries not to look like a hatchback

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Infiniti

Infiniti Etherea Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Infiniti is clearly interested in expanding its model line into the compact segment, a fact evidenced by the Etherea Concept that it is currently showing off at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The most far-out styling feature of the Etherea is no doubt the crescent-shaped C-pillar, though opinions seem to vary on its effectiveness on such a compact car.

In any case, all the hallmarks of a modern-day concept car are present and accounted for, including a hybrid powertrain that features a 245-horsepower supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a twin-clutch system that links the electric motor to the engine. All those ponies are routed through a continuously variable automatic transmission to the front wheels.

As far as the styling goes, Infiniti has this to say about the Etherea Concept: "As an exploration of a future entry-level Infiniti production model, Etherea can be summed up as a four-door coupe with five-door practicality - a hatchback that doesn't look like a hatchback." We'll let you decide how true that may be...

Feel free to read the complete press release after the break, and be sure to check out our high-res gallery of live photos below.

Gallery: Infiniti Etherea Concept: Geneva 2011

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Infiniti Etherea Concept tries not to look like a hatchback

Geneva 2011: Infiniti Etherea Concept tries not to look like a hatchback originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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