Infiniti Essence Concept

[titan]

[titan]

[titan]

Press Release:

INFINITI ESSENCE:

THE MAGNIFICATION OF “INSPIRED PERFORMANCE”

ROLLE, Switzerland (March 3, 2009) - The essence of the Infiniti brand distilled into one car and then taken to the extremes to satisfy the world’s most demanding car enthusiasts … this is the Infiniti Essence.

Presented as a concept at the 79th International Motor Show of Geneva, Essence is a celebration of Infiniti and its 20 years history as a creator of performance cars. But equally it is an inspiring exploration into the brand’s future.

The dramatic design, technology and performance statement is a 600PS, petrol/electric hybrid coupe with rear-wheel drive. What Essence is not is merely an indulgent birthday present from Infiniti to itself.

This concept embodies Infiniti’s core values as an inspiration for the future as much a celebration of the past. Essence showcases many of the technologies, including hybrid, and design cues that will distinguish Infiniti production cars of the coming years. And by steering Infiniti’s guiding principle of “Inspired Performance” into the super-performance, super-luxury coupe market for the first time, it reaffirms Infiniti’s place among the world’s most exclusive and vibrant car brands.

ESSENCE: AN OVERVIEW

- A front-engined, two-seat, 600PS luxury coupe concept, 4.7m long

- First motor show preview of Infiniti’s petrol/electric hybrid drivetrain

- Capable of vast speeds where conditions allow, zero emissions where they don’t

- Rear-wheel drive for maximum driver involvement

- Fresh design language to influence future production models

- Previews new safety technology including Back-up Collision Prevention

- Minimalist and intensely driver-focused interior

- “New luxury” meets traditional Japanese craftsmanship

- Bespoke Louis Vuitton fitted luggage to maximise trans-continental capability

ESSENCE: THE CONCEPT

“An Essence owner is characterized by his or her fearless self confidence; he or she is an intellectual hero rather than just a successful money maker.”

Francois Bancon, General Manager Advanced Product Planning

Essence began life not in the design studio but in Infiniti’s product planning department. Francois Bancon, General Manager Advanced Product Planning, and his team might not, at the start of the project, have known how Essence would look, but they did know what it had to be, why it had to exist – and who it would appeal to.

“Essence is a brand icon,” Francois Bancon said. “It is driven more by a conceptual approach than by any design execution. It is not just an object. 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.”

The concept called for a very clear understanding of who the super-luxury coupe’s potential customers would be. Painstakingly, Bancon and his team of advanced product planners built up a picture of a typical Essence owner. It was a profile that showed an uncompromising, risk-taking 42-year-old passionate about the best things in life, but equally passionate about not flaunting them. “These consumers don’t need to demonstrate to others,” said Bancon. “They are already at the next step of achievement that leads to rewarding themselves first.”

Francois Bancon went on: “We wanted a new way of mixing various ingredients to get a car that was reserved but with a big presence, something trendy but also indicating the next trend. We wanted a car that aspired to become a cult. It had to be exclusive, smart and mysterious. For the driver, it had to sum up the six-word essence of Essence:

Everything I want, nothing I don’t

ESSENCE IN DETAIL

DESIGN: DYNAMIC ADEYAKA

“The design embeds a sense of mystery, a sense of being in the know. Essence is not about showing signs of wealth and success.”

Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President of Design

With breathtaking good looks and perfect proportions, Essence exerts a powerful pull on all those who love cars. It looks like a driver’s car, one that would be right at home spearing down the world’s grandest motoring routes.

But Essence is no aggressive sports car. Infiniti’s “Dynamic Adeyaka” attitude ensures Essence is single-minded, but also inviting, sophisticated and born of inspiration from both the human and natural worlds. To further boost its emotional appeal, it features details that bring a very modern take to some very old Japanese traditions.

The designers’ aim was to merge all existing Infiniti design cues with fresh design language in a shape that the 20-year-old marque has never before attempted. The result is highly sculptural yet also very delicate. Essence speaks of power but not intimidation.

The bonnet is, as you would expect of an Infiniti, long, and the rear deck short. Together with a flowing “wave” profile between muscular front and rear wheelarches, Essence at first appears to be in the classic sports car mould. But there is nothing retro about Essence.

The side window graphics bring a particularly innovative and distinctive edge to the styling. The window appears to be resting on a ledge, its razor sharp line in contrast to the concave sweep of the upper body just below it. Imagine juxtaposing flowing water with the stark outline of a canyon landscape.

The rear section also features complex surfacing with concave “scoops” that flow down the rear pillars from one of Essence’s most distinctive design cues: a C-shaped kink to the side windows’ trailing edge. Outlined by a wide flourish of stainless steel, it adds instant movement to the car even when it is standing still.

One of the most distinctive details is the trim around the side air vents. The simple yet delicate shape, finely finished in aluminium, is based on the “kanzashi”, a hairpin used by women when wearing the kimono. Other lines and details are inspired by the wide brush strokes of Japanese calligraphy. Essence represents a successful merging of iconic cultural cues with automotive aesthetics.

Essence’s front is characterised by Infiniti’s signature double-arch grille, set at an angle that suggests the car is about to leap forward. There is an illuminated Infiniti badge at its heart. Rounded corners effectively hide the front overhang and make this 4.7m-long car appear anything but big in the flesh.

The grille is framed by subtle strips of stainless steel but there’s little other trim and no other grilles or intakes, not even foglights. At the front as over the rest of the car, Essence eschews superfluous body embellishments that could interrupt the graceful strength of the whole. The door handles are slithers of push buttons flush with the body while even rear-view mirrors must make way for minuscule cameras teased out of the A-pillars.

More familiar Infiniti cues include the lights. At the front the signature L-shaped modules taper back on to the bulging guards, picked out at their top edge by a row of LEDs. Slender fillets of red light curve around the car at the back, overlapping with the boot opening and framing the vestigial spoiler. Edged by more stainless steel, the spoiler appears to have been pushed out from within the car.

The windscreen flows back into a full glass roof that then tapers down towards the boot opening – making just one more memorable view of a car that doesn’t have a wrong angle to it.

On design, Essence is simple and amazingly complex, classical and totally dynamic all at the same time. Most of all as the epitome of “dynamic adeyaka” it boasts massive presence. Once seen, never forgotten.

INTERIOR: DRIVER-FOCUSED

“Detailed artistic expression and the rich warmth of the human hand go far beyond mechanical precision.”

Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President of Design

For a driver’s car, the perfect driver’s cabin. Essence’s interior is minimalist, ergonomic and totally focused on the job in hand: to give the person behind the wheel a feeling of absolute control. And yet all this driver focus goes hand in hand with a passenger area dominated by comfort, calm and elegance to offer the kind of hospitality that is so important to the Japanese people, and also to Essence.

The asymmetrical cabin is divided into two areas separated by a large curving console between the seats that sweeps around to merge with the centre of the dashboard. The result is two very distinct cocoons. The driver’s side is themed black, the passenger’s “cocoon” an earthy red.

A flat-bottomed steering wheel and chronometer-style dials announce to the driver this is a serious performance machine. There are no gimmicks or sci-fi solutions here, just single-minded dedication to driving. Witness the technical nature of the displays, the short, alloy-topped gear selector and, just in front of it another finger-flick away, the bright red engine start button.

The car wraps itself around the driver who can quickly relax with the Infiniti trademarks of supportive seat and perfect driving position. There are more Infiniti cues such as the big gearchange paddle shifters behind the wheel and the analogue clock in the centre of the dash.

Infiniti designers believe the best functionality works behind the scenes, appearing only when needed. They call this “hidden tech”, and it’s the key to the functional minimalism that dominates the control layout. By not baffling drivers with buttons or overburdening them with information, Essence offers a sense of well-being to everyone, allowing them to focus entirely on enjoying the energizing driving experience.

With the materials used – leather, Alcantara, hand-painted wood inspired by traditional Japanese lacquerware – the cabin exudes a rich and inviting warmth. Attention to detail is such that even the leather seams on the seat backs differ from left side to right side. Why? So they can accurately reflect the way Japanese men and women tie their kimonos.

Essence’s interior promotes a sense of well-being which is key to the Infiniti driving experience.

DRIVETRAIN: POWER WITH RESPONSIBILITY

“Infiniti’s performance feel has been captured as natural dynamism, like energy rising from within.”

Francois Bancon, General Manager Advanced Product Planning

Essence’s drivetrain is designed to meet the highest expectations of owners by delivering the one thing everyone expects of an Infiniti – sheer driving pleasure. In Essence that pleasure is taken to new heights, at the same time as previewing an innovative green hybrid engine.

Essence is unusual even in the rarefied atmosphere of the world’s fastest road cars by being able to call on a mighty 600PS (592bhp). The power guarantees high performance responses on any road, in any situation. Essence is not, however, an intimidating sports racer. Like the design, the performance is designed to be sophisticated and unobtrusive – performance with a human touch.

The hybrid system is a logical extension of Infiniti parent group’s groundbreaking green commitments. It offers power with efficiency, and high performance with zero-emissions running, by combining a petrol engine with an electric motor. These can work independently or together as a “parallel” hybrid system.

In congested urban areas, the electric motor alone is all that is needed for Essence to glide silently between stoplights, with no tailpipe emissions.

When the traffic clears, Essence responds with a highway performance that few cars could match. In “power assist” mode the full 600PS is unleashed with both petrol and electric power working together.

A key difference over some other hybrid systems is that both the V6 and the electric motor feed their power only to the rear wheels. Performance is more linear, response is crisper – and driving pleasure further enhanced – as a result.

Infiniti’s familiar 3.7-litre V6 gasoline engine is fitted with twin turbochargers, boosting power to 440PS (434bhp). A new direct-injection fuel system ensures the engine works more efficiently than ever in Essence.

Essence previews a new type of electric motor, called 3D Motor, that was designed to meet tough requirements on size and power output. The result is a particularly slim, disk-shaped motor that has twice the torque of a conventional unit. Its design was achieved by 3D magnetic field analysis to optimize the layout of the electromagnetic coils and permanent magnets.

In Essence, the motor is positioned between the engine and transmission and provides 160PS (158bhp), drawing power from a compact lithium-ion battery pack in the boot area. Because the 3D Motor operates in both propulsion and power regeneration modes, the battery pack is kept charged up.

Optimized energy useage across the widest possible range of driving conditions is guaranteed by two separate clutches which “switch in” the motors as required. It is a system that needs no torque converter, further enhancing responsiveness and driving pleasure.

SAFETY: A COLLISION-FREE FUTURE

On a global level, Infiniti is committed to building safer vehicles equipped with advanced safety technologies.

Essence previews some of the next-generation safety features that will ensure Infiniti cars remain among the safest on the road. Chief among them is a “Safety Shield” that goes a long way towards the Infiniti engineers’ dream of a collision-free car.

The Safety Shield adds two new technologies to the Distance Control Assist (DCA) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems that are available in today’s production Infinitis. Side Collision Prevention (SCP) and Back-up Collision Prevention (BCP) extend the anti-collision shield all the way around the car.

With SCP, when the driver decides to change lanes, side-mounted sensors activate a warning if an approaching vehicle is detected in the driver’s intended lane. A yaw mechanism is then activated through brake control of individual wheels to help prevent a potential collision. Back-up Collision Prevention works in a similar way, sensing a vehicle behind, giving the driver a warning but then, if the warning is not heeded, activating the brakes automatically.

The warning system and pre-emptive safety features are designed to help support the driver in an intuitive manner with minimal intervention.

PRACTICALITY: A VERY BESPOKE SOLUTION

The team behind Essence harked back to an early motoring era to find the right solution for carrying luggage. The result is as classy as luggage ever gets, surprisingly practical and dreamily romantic. It also re-establishes the historic ties between a carmaker and one of the best-known names in luxury goods – Louis Vuitton.

Vuitton first worked with a coachbuilder – the famous Kellner company – in 1908, equipping one of their early luxury limousines with a set of bespoke luggage. Other coachbuilders quickly beat a path to Vuitton’s door in Paris. Made-to-measure Vuitton trunks were an integral feature of some of the greatest cars of the first part of the 20th century.

The collaboration between Infiniti and Vuitton revives the idea of a set of the highest quality luggage made to fit exactly a car’s boot area. In Essence there are three rigid pieces: a matched pair of slender briefcases atop a large trunk. All are made in the new Damier Graphite canvas and feature sleekly integrated handles and an overall design in harmony with the car itself.

There is hi-tech, too. A button on the key fob electrically opens the boot lid, allowing the boot floor to slide silently rearwards. This is one boot an owner will never have to struggle to access.

In a nod at tradition, the cases even bear the initials of their owner – SN, standing for Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President of Design.

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[titan]

This is one of the most beautiful concepts I've ever seen. It's sexy as hell. The powertrain is lifted from the GTR, with a 3.7L V6 with two turbo charges mated to an electric motor (making it a hybrid) producing 600HP! Personally, I love everything about the car... right down to the custom made Louis Vuitton that was created for it. Infiniti would be crazy not to produce it.

[titan]

[titan]

[titan]

[ZL-1]

I like it!

[PurdueGuy]

Very cool - build it!

[G. David Felt]

I see a nicely done knock off of the Aston Martin. The interior is a nice concept but terrible for us big guys, talk about a tight interior with no room.

I see this as a very nice evolution of the Aston Martin line. Nothing original as is usual for this company.

[CaddyXLR-V]

To me it looks like that Alfa Romeo. I forgot the name of it though. Looks great on the outside, but horrible interior.

[Cory Wolfe]

It's pretty sexy.

[Intrepidation]

Wow, that's beautiful. I think the front could use some work, but besides that I love it. Interior is very neat too.

Looks awesome from this angle:

[Sixty8panther]

I love it... but instead of the wrinkled 17-compound

curve C-pillar just make it a hardtop-bubbletop.

[Paolino]

That interior is HOT as hell!

[balthazar]

The exterior has an unprecedented degree of fluidity for an Asian brand. I'd like to see some of the details fiddled around a bit, but it's fairly impressive overall. Wheel design is now quite tired. Hate the interior however, and that instrument panel is mad confusing...

[CSpec]

Looks pretty sweet I think. The design themes work much better here than they do on the FX.

The interior looks very similar to the concept Solstice I think:

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Wow... It's a melted Corvette!

(I do like it though... Derivative as it is...)

[Intrepidation]

I love the C-pillar, it connects to character lines in a very fluid way.

[Intrepidation]

Wow... It's a melted Corvette!

(I do like it though... Derivative as it is...)

I can see how one might see Aston Martin or even Jaguar XK in the shape, but I see no Corvette in there whatsoever. Where the heck do you see Corvette cues?

[balthazar]

Peaked front fenders, esp in the rear 3/4-view. I see it, tho it did not spring to mind.

The scallops on the C-pillars (and under the beltline) are pure gimmickery, but I like 'em all the same.

[loki]

very nice design... very cool interior... maybe 2nd after the fisker, off the top of my head...?

very slick, nissan has a lot with this right.

[MyerShift]

Wow! I find it very intriguing and handsome!

[Intrepidation]

Peaked front fenders, esp in the rear 3/4-view. I see it, tho it did not spring to mind.

I see that too now, although It's not like the Vette's not the only car to have them. It didn't scream "Corvette knockoff", like you said.

[balthazar]

I didn't scream "Corvette knockoff" like you said.

That was FOG there, bud.

[§carlet §wordfish]

Love it love it love it.

[Intrepidation]

That was FOG there, bud.

Grammatical errors FTL (sorry).

It didn't scream "Corvette knockoff", like you said.

I was agreeing with you that it didn't jump out immediately, bud.

[PurdueGuy]

Looks pretty sweet I think. The design themes work much better here than they do on the FX.

The interior looks very similar to the concept Solstice I think:

I wouldn't say "very" similar. Saying similar is stretching it. The Solstice wraps around the right side of the driver. That is similar. However, this car's interior wraps around both sides of both occupants, like side-by-side bobsleds.

I first recalled the Aurora interior when I saw it, which is similar for similar reasons:

But they pulled this off without it feeling at all "chunky".

Depending on who's inside, I could see it seeming either incredibly sporty/awesome, or claustrophobic. I find it to be an awesome look.

[mustang84]

Wow, that's really nice.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I can see how one might see Aston Martin or even Jaguar XK in the shape, but I see no Corvette in there whatsoever. Where the heck do you see Corvette cues?

Profile.

EDIT: And BTW, I'm honored to be mistaken for balthazar (One of my favorite posters here)

Edited March 6, 2009 by FUTURE_OF_GM

[turbo200]

this essence is mostly a waste of space. too overstyled and gaudy for supercar tastes, too cartoonish to go down as anything classical. too vette like to merit any attention. the surfacing is absolutely beautiful and the grille looks way cool, but this car as a whole hurts. it's not going to get the supercar dollars from people expecting supercar style with refined details [cue: R8].

[frogger]

Pretty damn nice, Not too much I would change about it.

[Intrepidation]

I would gladly buy this over an R8, the R8 really isn't a pretty car. It looks like an MR supercar because it is, but that doesn't make it pretty. The R8's appeal is more for it's livability anyway.

[Intrepidation]

Profile.

EDIT: And BTW, I'm honored to be mistaken for balthazar (One of my favorite posters here)

Sure, but that overall profile is from most high-end FR cars.

The car's look is all it's own. I can pick apart how the profiles are very different, but hopefully the imagery posted will eliminate that need.

[Robert Hall]

I like it..great RWD proportions, flowing lines. The C-pillar detailing and quarter window are a bit unconventional, but interesting...like the gauge detailing. Love the wheels... Don't like the wierd steering wheel shape.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Sure, but that overall profile is from most high-end FR cars.

Why you gotta break balls, man?

It reminds me more of a "melted down" version of the C6 or better yet, the C3.

BTW, GM; take note... This is what GOOD photography looks like in comparison to YOUR photography.

Edited March 6, 2009 by FUTURE_OF_GM

[Intrepidation]

Ok I'll give it a rest.

But yeah, Nissan has kickass photography.

[Intrepidation]

The more I look a t this car, the more I love it. Every time I look at I find something new and interesting with the detailing. The lines perform different styling functions at different angles, which is really neat, yet they aren't just randomly thrown on the sheetmetal.. It has such fluidity and cohesiveness, the sort of thing BMWs of late only wish they had.

[titan]

^ I feel the same way. And as has been mentioned on this thread earlier, Infiniti has incorporate an unprecedented amount of fluidity and curves into this car. It oozes sex, and is the polar opposite of Lexus' recent trend to creases and much more angular design.

[Drew Dowdell]

I could see James Bond driving this car. It's sexy without being garish.

[Intrepidation]

I do hope they find the money to build it. This would be an awesome flagship for Infiniti,

[saturnd00d]

Love it, sexy as hell

[G. David Felt]

I love the looks of this car. The interior while being very nice looking, yells Coffin and confining to me. I cannot see me or any other 6 foot + tall person fitting in this car. Clastraphobic people will not like it as it is to tight and confining.

I am going to have to do some searching as I have seen this shape / style before on the outside as it reminds me of another car but I cannot seem to place where I have seen this styling / design before.

Hmmmmmmm

[siegen]

It's overdone. I think the exterior has too much going on in the wrong places. The stance is very sexy, but the detailing needs a different touch. The interior is very intriguing, but completely not practical.

[Intrepidation]

Oh please, if this had an H or A badge on it you'd be drooling.

Most cars only wish they had lines that flowed this well. The front could use a little tweaking, but there are far worse offenders out there.

[G. David Felt]

Yea, this is totally a knock off of the Jaguar C-XF concept. They just did a nicer job is all.

[Intrepidation]

Yea, this is totally a knock off of the Jaguar C-XF concept. They just did a nicer job is all.

Um...

No. Seriously people, try to think before you post instead of making yourself look silly by stating such ridiculous things.

[ShadowDog]

It's overdone. I think the exterior has too much going on in the wrong places. The stance is very sexy, but the detailing needs a different touch. The interior is very intriguing, but completely not practical.

"Concept" <-- hardly ever practical.

It's a dead-sexy design. Hardly a copy / knockoff of anything since that long-nose, bubble-top greenhouse has been around since the old Jag E-Type. They're just working with an already heavily-used design element. No big deal.

The suede elements in the interior seem so tacky to me.

[siegen]

Oh please, if this had an H or A badge on it you'd be drooling.

Most cars only wish they had lines that flowed this well. The front could use a little tweaking, but there are far worse offenders out there.

If it was an H or and A, it would get the same comments from me and everyone here, I betcha. Overdone.

[Intrepidation]

If it was an H or and A, it would get the same comments from me and everyone here, I betcha. Overdone.

Curious then that you never seem to think any of Acuras recent styling abominations are bad or overdone. Even if you do "nitpick" you'll come back later and say it grew on you and now it's good.