Infiniti unveiled the Etherea concept today in Geneva. It's a preview of the C-segment hatchback Infiniti will eventually have to build to appease European customers, but despite the Essence-inspired lines and relatively short front overhang, this car is (and would be) front-wheel drive.
Power comes from a supercharged version of Nissan's corporate 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a claimed 242 horsepower. Ah, but wait, there's more. A front-drive electric motor assists with propulsion at low speeds, as the Etherea uses the same type of hybrid system as the new M35h. The transmission is some type of CVT.
The bodywork on the Infiniti is important, as it previews the direction the brand will take with its next batch of production cars. The headlights, in particular, will be used on future Infinitis.
You'll also see Sebastian Vettel in the photos after the jump. He showed up because Infiniti announced a two-year marketing partnership with Red Bull Racing's F1 team today; the Infiniti brand name will be displayed on the nose of the 2011 cars driven by Vettel and teammate Mark Webber.
Video and lots more photos after the jump.
ed124c says:
07:48 AM, 03/ 1/11
Another concept car...
If you throw out the impossible-to-produce interior and the over the top roof, what are we left with. A Murano? Yeah, a Murano with an electric kickoff device.
stovt001 says:
10:49 AM, 03/ 1/11
So future Infinitis will look even more like catfish than they currently do? Interesting move.
suxoid says:
02:28 PM, 03/ 1/11
This is a C-segment car with a cabin-forward design with Citroen influence. How is it related in anyway to a Murano?
christople says:
02:33 PM, 03/ 1/11
Funny they got a female to report a car named like something else haha
f1ndler says:
02:38 PM, 03/ 1/11
Oh, so this is the one that Jeremy Clarkson called Urethra.
rotaryrocket says:
07:38 AM, 03/ 2/11
Perky.
juan_mx says:
07:42 AM, 03/ 2/11
@suxoid
I believe it must have some influence from the Renault Egeus concept of 2005.
Save for the wavy lines everywhere, it is similar to that old concept
adantium says:
10:03 AM, 03/ 2/11
Just pure hideous. I own an Infiniti and they're going the ugly side of essence right now.
jayrandall says:
08:08 PM, 03/ 2/11
Adantium: I could not agree with you more. I have a 2009 FX35, and if these headlights come to the next version of the FX I am done. BMW here I come.