Report: Infiniti Etheria concept to roll into Geneva with Mercedes power

[HighestOfHigh]

Compact premium is where it's at these days for luxury automakers, and everyone's getting on board. Audi has the A3, Volvo the C30, BMW the 1 Series, Lexus recently joined the party with the CT 200h, and Mercedes is revamping its A- and B-Class. Infiniti has long been rumored to be working on a challenger of its own, and recently confirmed that it will be unveiled in concept form at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.

Unfortunately, little in the way of actual details were released to accompany the silhouette teaser pictured above – and when we say "little," we mean bubkes. The concept is designed to slot in below the G line. That's about it.

Fortunately, Motor Trend has stepped in to fill in some of the blanks, citing inside sources who believe that the car will be a two-door called the Etheria (in concept form anyway, as the production model will likely go alphanumeric to fit into the rest of the range), built atop the Renault Megane/Nissan Tiida platform.

The milestone, however, comes in under the hood, where the Etheria is tipped to carry a 202-horsepower, 1.8-liter turbocharged CGI four sourced from Mercedes-Benz, marking the first tangible application of the industrial partnership formed between parent companies Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

- Report: Infiniti Etheria concept to roll into Geneva with Mercedes power

 

[HighestOfHigh]

2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview: Infiniti Etherea Concept

The autoshow season is fully upon us, as we transition from the Chicago show to Geneva next month and New York in April. Infiniti is gearing up to make the most of the Geneva Motor Show with a new compact concept performance car positioned below the G line, dubbed the Etherea.

The official images above hint at a likely relationship to corporate partner Renault small car lines with a touch of Essence Concept thrown in for good measure. If that's the case, it's not clear that it'll be destined for the U.S.; such a concept might be intended only to do battle with the smaller BMW and Mercedes vehicles on their home turf.

The company's senior vice president, Andy Palmer, called the car slated for Geneva a "study for a high-performance premium car below the current G series." Palmer also claims the car is "fundamentally different" from competing products--though how so, we're unsure.

The new compact Infiniti concept will make its official debut March 1, at 12:15 p.m. GMT.

- http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1054968_2011-geneva-motor-show-preview-infiniti-etherea-concept

 

[Merc1]

Its not bad, but it is clearly a warmed over Mercedes concept vehicle.


M

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Press Release

INFINITI NAMES ITS GENEVA CONCEPT

ROLLE, Switzerland (February 14, 2011) – Infiniti today releases the first images of its concept car for the Geneva Motor Show in March. Called ETHEREA, it is a compact luxury model that previews how a future entry-level Infiniti could look.

The pictures show an evolving Infiniti identity along with a profile distinctly different from anything currently available in the premium compact class.

"ETHEREA is about a new type of luxury for younger buyers," said Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President and Leader of the Global Infiniti Business Unit. "It is not just a smaller version of a typically conservative and traditional luxury car."

Designed under the direction of Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura, ETHEREA blends elements of coupé, sedan, hatchback and even crossover in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form.

At 4.4m it is highly compact but at the same time it is space efficient and practical thanks to a new mechanical layout and innovative access arrangements.

Among its surprises are high-tech new interpretations of traditional Japanese materials and finishes, and several design cues set to make their mark on future production models – including the highly distinctive crescent-shaped C-pillar first seen on the Essence concept.

The ETHEREA makes its world debut on the Infiniti stand (Hall 1, Booth 1030) at 12:15 CET on Tuesday 1 March 2011.

- Infiniti Etherea Concept bows ahead of Geneva debut

 

[HighestOfHigh]

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

Infiniti ETHEREA: The Compact Luxury Car Re-imagined

The Infiniti ETHEREA, a special concept vehicle designed to preview how a future Infiniti entry-level compact performance luxury sedan could look, made its world debut today at the 81st International Geneva Motor Show. ETHEREA is designed to project both an "evolving Infiniti identity" and a profile that is distinctly different from any current vehicle available in the premium compact class. "ETHEREA is about a new type of luxury for younger buyers," said Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President and leader of the Global Infiniti Business Unit. "It is not just a smaller version of a typically conservative and traditional luxury car."

Designed under the direction of Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura, ETHEREA blends elements of coupe, sedan, hatchback and even crossover designs in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form. At just over 14 feet in length, ETHEREA is highly compact but at the same time it is space efficient and practical – thanks to a new mechanical layout and innovative access arrangements. Among its surprises are new high-tech interpretations of traditional Japanese materials and finishes, and several design cues set to make their mark on future production models, including the highly distinctive crescent-shaped C-pillar first seen on the Infiniti Essence concept.

ETHEREA's segment-busting appeal is based on the coming together of several vehicles styles. It is part elegant coupe, part spacious sedan, part practical hatchback and even part tall crossover. And being an Infiniti, there is also a large helping of sports car in the way it drives. The front-wheel drive ETHEREA concept has been designed for a potent yet highly efficient hybrid drivetrain based around the innovative one electric motor/twin clutch system used in the new Infiniti M Hybrid. A supercharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, developing 245 horsepower, provides quick response and strong acceleration throughout the performance range. Boosting power when more is needed, and providing silent, emission-free driving at low speeds, is an electric motor. The transmission is a continuously variable (CVT) type. An independent suspension, regenerative braking and advanced drive-by-wire electric/hydraulic steering further enhance performance.

The spacious four-seat ETHEREA cabin offers all the luxury that Infiniti owners expect, plus unrivalled ease of access and egress boosted by an H-point, which is higher than that of the average compact luxury car. Four wide-opening doors, rear-hinged at the back, and an absence of B-pillar offer an unprecedented feeling of openness. 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.

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

 

[Merc1]

There is a new G due in a year or so, if it looks anything like this (sedan of course) they will have a winner. A lot of potential in this design.


M

 

[Beemer B773ER]

At just over 14 feet in length, ETHEREA

Hmmm, a tick of 14 feet. The current 1er Coupe is 14.33 ft in length, so that's the segment they're looking at, sub-G...which makes sense with all this downsizing business, and attracting buyers who's budget doesn't extend to a 3er, C, A4, G, IS class of vehicle.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Its not bad, but it is clearly a warmed over Mercedes concept vehicle.


M

How is this a warmed over Mercedes Concept?

 

[Wolfgang]

Infiniti targets small luxury car at Europe's young buyers

Nissan's premium brand takes aim at BMW 1 series

Bruce Gain -- Automotive News Europe

LONDON - Infiniti believes its new entry-premium car will find a receptive market among young buyers in Europe, but industry watchers say the model faces a tough battle against established rivals such as the BMW 1 series and Audi A3. Infiniti plans to launch the model within four years to compete in Europe's growing market for small premium vehicles.

Company executives say the car will be different from anything currently available in the premium compact class, not just a smaller version of a conservative luxury car.

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Infiniti Europe marketing director, believes the model will be successful because it will combine driving performance and an emphasis on style that German luxury brands do not offer.

"The luxury market is dominated by a handful of German players in Europe, but the new generation of buyers is not necessarily interested in their daddy's brand," Diernaz told Automotive News Europe at a press event in London. "There is a need for more-modern luxury models."

Infiniti's Etherea concept car, which was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva auto show, offered an early look at the design of the new model. Diernaz said the car will launch in Europe by 2016, but did not give a firm date.

Built in Austria

The model will be Infiniti's first car built in Europe. The brand will contract Magna Steyr to build about 50,000 to 60,000 units a year of the model in Graz, Austria, according to Automotive News Europe sources.

The car is expected to be built on Mercedes's MFA architecture, which underpins the second-generation A- and B-Class model lines.

Carlos Da Silva, an IHS Automotive analyst, said Infiniti needs to do a lot of image building in Europe, where is debuted in 2008, and an entry-level model might help.

"The car is a clever move as it is certainly one of the most promising segments in Europe," Da Silva said. "This is indeed the best way for Infiniti to gain a broader audience, one that can translate into significant volumes faster than with larger cars."

Still, the competition will be fierce in a market sector that the Audi A3, BMW 1 series and Mercedes A-Class dominate. "This space is already crowded," Da Silva said.

Europe ambitions

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn wants Infiniti to more than triple its global sales to 500,000 units by 2017, with Europe accounting for 100,000 units, up from a volume of 10,723 in Europe including Turkey and Russia.

Originally conceived as a U.S.-only brand, Infiniti is a newcomer to Europe's tough premium market, having launched sales in western and central Europe just four years ago. The brand plans to increase its number of European dealerships to 200 by 2015 from about 50 now.

Read more: Infiniti targets small luxury car at Europe's young buyers

 

[dtd]

It looks like the new G and the new C will make a debut within 6 months apart ( I don't know which one will come out first). They probably share the same 4cyl engine either gasoline , diesel or both. That is justmy guess. Now the hard part is which one should I get?
dtd

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

How is this a warmed over Mercedes Concept?

I can see the F800 styling cues.

 

[Wolfgang]

Merc engines for Infiniti G-series

The all-new Infiniti G-series saloon will be offered with four-cylinder Mercedes diesel and petrol engines right from the start of its launch in 2013. The new BMW 3-series rival, along with a new Audi A3 rival due in 2015, are key to Nissan’s luxury arm realising its ambitious growth targets in Europe.

The current G-series saloon, and its coupe and cabriolet siblings, are only available with a thirsty 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine, meaning its European sales barely even the trouble the scorers in a market where four-cylinder diesel models rule. “We’ll make sure the right engines are in the car right from the start,” said Tony Lewis, Infiniti’s regional director for northern Europe.

The new G-series will also be the model to usher in Infiniti’s new design language, most recently previewed on the acclaimed Emerg-E concept. Infiniti plans to sell half a million cars worldwide in 2016; in 2011, it sold 145,000 units. UK sales were just 500 units in 2011, but the new G-series and front-drive A3 rival will form the core of an expanded Infiniti line-up that is predicted to boost UK volume to 20,000 units by 2016.

The A3 rival was previewed by the Infiniti Etherea concept at the 2011 Geneva motor show. It will be built on the Daimler MFA platform that also underpins the A-class and B-class among other small Mercs. The small Mercedes range will also lend its engine line-up to Infiniti’s first-ever front-drive car.

To further boost sales, Infiniti plans to boost its European dealer network to 230 by 2016, up from 55 now. A further 35 are planned in Europe by March 2013. Infiniti also hopes for much increased brand awareness by 2016, something that’s being significantly helped by its sponsorship of Formula One world champions Red Bull Racing.

Speaking at the launch of the revised FX today, Lewis also confirmed Infiniti’s involvement at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month. The firm will be a significant sponsor, and will bring along two ‘production’ concepts of the Emerg-E.

Brand ambassador and Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel will also play a key role for Infiniti at Goodwood.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/262760/

 

[K-A]

It looks like a warmed over Mercedes Concept Car, has Mercedes power, and even has a dropping line, yikes.

 

[Centurion]

.........but Infinity sponsor Red Bull Racing and have even released a Sebastian Vettel SUV.

 

[Human]

So much face in the face

 

[Wolfgang]

^ another face:

Andy Palmer named UK's most important car person
You've probably never heard of him, but Andy Palmer is the UK's most important car industry figure, so says Auto Express.

Palmer - who definitely isn't giving a rendition of Nessun Dorma in the picture above - has topped the magazine's top 50 list of British car industry people, which includes car company chiefs, engineers, PR types, designers...basically anyone with a car industry connection.

The 48-year-old is the executive vice president of product planning at Nissan, which puts him in charge of Infiniti too. He launched the Nissan Leaf.

Second place goes to Ian Robertson of BMW, the company's sales and marketing boss, while third goes to John Fleming, vice president of global manufacturing at Ford.

Get this week's Auto Express for the full rundown.

http://uk.autoblog.com/2012/05/30/andy-palmer-named-uks-most-important-car-person/


Congratulations. Well deserved.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Wow that is one hideous car

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I bet you Mercedes did not even have an iota of influence in the design of this vehicle. It's simply because you know it's powered by a Mercedes engine and will likely sit on a Mercedes chassis that you guys are coming up with this theory.

The co-operation was barely announced a few months before this concept appeared.

 

[Centurion]

Asian car manufacturers seem to love snagging guys from Audi. It seems as if Audi is perceived to be the staple of luxury the same way Mercedes were during the 1990.

 

[DreamWeaaver]

Audi is great!