Is the Infiniti Essence concept the Nissan GT-R twin we've been hearing about for the last year or so? Hard to tell at this point.
Consider this statement from the product planner in charge of its development. "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," said Francois Bancon.
Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, maybe, but according to the press kit this Infiniti concept also has a twin-turbocharged V6 under its hood that produces 434 horsepower. Not quite the size engine or horsepower as the GT-R, but close.
Oh, and as an added twist, the Essence is also a hybrid thanks to an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission. It's powered by a lithium-ion battery pack in the trunk and is capable of delivering an additional 158 hp -- all of it going to the rear wheels.
So the Essence may not have all-wheel drive or a 3.8-liter V6, but with a combined 592 hp and rear-wheel drive, it would be quite the halo car for the Infiniti brand, not to mention one of the fastest cars ever to leave a Japanese assembly line.
So what do you think? Just a promotion for the Infiniti brand, or an early look at an Infiniti flagship? -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
Full gallery after the jump.
lenoroc says:
01:03 PM, 03/ 3/09
Looks more like a promotion, a gorgeous promotion at that. Can't stand the grill though, ugh. Put the logo right above the grill and we're good to go.
compliance says:
01:38 PM, 03/ 3/09
I have a hard time caring about cars that won't get built, and have no relation to a brand's actual product. Sure, it's nice and shiny, but it seems like a waste of effort to me.
hondacura4 says:
01:55 PM, 03/ 3/09
B-pillar forward is a mix of the current G37 coupe and the Maserati GT, which of course isnt a bad thing.
The bad thing is the usual Infiniti blob styled rear end details.
altimadude00 says:
02:09 PM, 03/ 3/09
Howabout stuff the driveline into a new M-class Coupe to give the Genesis a run for its money? Might even go head to head with BMW and MB too.
petrolhead85 says:
02:23 PM, 03/ 3/09
Concept car or not I think it's hideously ugly.
smilez says:
03:00 PM, 03/ 3/09
Miuns the grille, I do believe that is a right-purty car.
But honestly, that doesn't look like a track car. That's the only reason I wouldn't make a strong comparison with the GT-R.
I'm not saying that powertrain and RWD wouldn't scream around the track, but I would think that a buyer would not cross-shop the two.
To me it looks a lot like the Fisker Karma.
cah11705 says:
03:34 PM, 03/ 3/09
that would be a nice body for an Infiniti gt-r...except for that logo on the grille
billt9 says:
03:43 PM, 03/ 3/09
Add a pair of doors to make the flagship Infiniti Quattroporte.
If you imagine the 4 doors on this, the Maserati is about what this will end up looking like.
albook says:
04:02 PM, 03/ 3/09
"Can't stand the grill though, ugh. Put the logo right above the grill and we're good to go."
I agree, but we probably wouldn't complain if MErcedes produced a concept like this and put the tri-star on the grille like that. TO play on that level, Infiniti has to walk the walk and talk the talk.
jaguar8 says:
04:03 PM, 03/ 3/09
I like everything except the Grill and the Rear end. Infiniti really likes their new bionic catfish look dont they?
estreka says:
05:05 PM, 03/ 3/09
Hello Maserati GT.
cardawg1 says:
07:52 PM, 07/17/09
I love it...The emblem on the grille does have to go...if this has the bullet proof reliability of most japanese cars, I would be all over this. It looks like the asian version of the Maserati..we need more cars with hips and curves like this. Let's face it..too many boxe or eggs exists these days. I'l trade the old Z8 for this one in a convertible.