Infiniti today has just released the first few images of its new Etherea concept for the Geneva Motor Show in March. The Etherea is a compact luxury car with a mixture of coupe, sedan, hatchback, and crossover looks.
So, is it a hatchback, crossover or sedan? Right now, we are leaning towards a crossover look alike. Whatever you call it, the Etherea concept is a lot different from the rest of other people mover vehicles. Its sleek, fluid design is beautiful and compact like no other hatchback or crossover in the market. Noticeably, we see a lot of resembling to the Essence concept in front fascia and with the rear end that looks similar to the Infiniti FX Series and Nissan Versa. But the most distinctive feature is the crescent-shaped C-pillar that was first seen on the Essence concept about two years ago.
“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.”
The Infiniti Etherea is very compact with only 173 inches long, but Infiniti states that it has the same space efficient due to its implementation of the new mechanical layout and access arrangements. We think that Infiniti has hit the crossover design sweet spot in the transition from the SUV era.
No engine specifications of the Infiniti Etherea concept released yet, but we know more details when it makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday 1 March 2011.
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.
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