Making its debut at the Geneva Convention of 2011, Etherea Infiniti Concept compact luxury car reinvented for a new generation of discerning younger buyers, while providing a vision of a future European Infiniti lineup, when the convention of any distinctive character challenge to the note obtained in the compact segment for the first time.
"Etherea on a new type of luxury," said Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President and Global Head of Infiniti Business Unit.
"It 's the younger buyers who want a smaller version of the luxury cars typically conservative and traditional. There are people who want a car that defines who they are, who their parents were not."
Infiniti is the encapsulation of everything - even in the absence of a compromise on a hybrid power and driving pleasure - in the car long 4.4, Etherea Infiniti Concept offers a bold new approach for the premium compact class. Its dynamic nature and very sculptural, close to the mono-qualified offer in the form of a silhouette of the kind currently in the classroom.
"Etherea is completely different from the current compact luxury car," said the director of design, Shiro Nakamura. "It 's suitable for a new generation of drivers who see themselves as different.
"As an exploration of what a future entry-level Infiniti Infiniti loves Etherea Concept is very important and a breakthrough in this Infiniti thinks to himself."
Bancon, Director General of exploratory and advanced products, said: "We believe the market - and buyers of compact cars - is ready for a car like that, especially in Europe as a means to isolate such insurance owner progressive. and a little off the beaten track, Infiniti Etherea concept fits very well with what Infiniti is all about. "
PerformanceInfiniti Etherea segment-busting concept of appeal is based on a number of vehicles coming together of styles. It is part of an elegant coupe, which is part of a large sedan, which is part of the tailgate practical, and even some long-crossover. And Infiniti is also a great sport to help the car it drives.
Like all Infiniti Etherea will actively engage in parallel with high design. The concept car is designed for powerful, yet very efficient hybrid power train is based on a platform of home and a clutch of innovative electric / twin used Infiniti M35h first hybrid brand is currently sold throughout Europe.
Turbocharged 2.5-liter gasoline 4-cylinder engine developing 245 hp offers a rapid response and strong acceleration during the performance. Hurry up power when the need for more and provides a quiet, emission-free driving at low speeds, an electric motor. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) type and the Infiniti is the first to drive the front wheels.
How M35h, the hybrid powertrain is designed to use clean electricity to more frequent, longer and at higher speeds that hybrids tend to treat, add Infiniti Etherea the concept of hybrid advantages of the open road and away from the busy city streets. This maximizes efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions even more, do not make compromises when driving in the front.
Independent suspension, regenerative braking and advanced drive-by-wire electric / hydraulic steering to further improve the balance between performance and greenness.
DesignDesigned in Japan under the direction of Shiro Nakamura, Etherea cut that is more sedan-inspired, with many flourishes Infiniti supercar concept first seen in Essence. However, the elegant profile Etherea Infiniti Concept is not at the expense of functionality. Despite appearances, Etherea boasts a large liftgate.
With a platform is internally developed for Infiniti, ensure the long wheelbase and overhangs uncharacteristic Infiniti visual balance and sporting appeal. The cover is perhaps not as the Infiniti RWD, but the proportions are just as finely judged and the overall look equally balanced, with C increasing single pillar, offering a dynamic and highly characteristic signature Infiniti.
A spacious four-seater cabin offers all the luxury Infiniti owners expect, and unparalleled ease of on and off, increasing the H point, which is higher than the average compact cars to luxury. Four large doors, rear-hinged, and because the B-pillar offers an unprecedented feeling of openness.
A relative of Infiniti design has been developed to meet the challenge of the concept car. The headlights, for example, define "face" Infiniti clearer than ever. With a subtle curves, the lights are daytime running lights as a crescent of the LED. In the future, new lights are destined to become a popular feature of Infiniti.
"Other elements of exterior design and interior craftsmanship began to have an important influence on the production models in the future," said Shiro Nakamura.
Project manager and designer exterior Giichi Endo said ether can be summarized as a "four-door coupe with the practicality of five doors -. a sedan that does not look like a hatchback has been key management new front-drive architecture - very different from the rear-drive FM platform Infiniti designers are accustomed to working with - to provide the traditional outbreak of Infiniti of seduction "to the design while providing the key to a car on the habitability Class 4.4.
Wide doors, rear doors hinged at the back, and B-pillar was the central idea that we can do as the car open and welcoming as possible. Access is further reducing the height of the car. Infiniti Etherea concept is a crossover, but the driver H (hip) higher than that of ordinary compact car, it's easy and a bit of command driving position, which separates as the Infiniti FX. The designers have talked a bit 'high-style body "Lift-Up."
In terms of concept Etherea Infiniti offers a unique feeling of solidity. In a design that immediately connects with the rest of the family Infiniti is the high bonnet line led by a network of depth. An updated version of the double arch design Hyundai familiar, fine mesh grill is translucent with the light are both fully functional and very artistic.
Shiro Nakamura said in the profile is a suggestion of a mono-volume design - very different from current pretenders to the compact luxury segment.
The highlight of this project, however, Nakamura pillars around the base - as he says, one of the most difficult areas to get right to the designer of any car. Etherea in this area is done in a style unlike any other car - with the exception of Essence, which in turn a source of inspiration. The key to this work has been exaggerated by the length of the front fender-pillar extends a plane coming together very sculptural. A small window of the fourth pillar provides a clear out. It makes everything a modern and innovative design to inject energy to the whole machine.
Comfort, space and capacityJust as the front-wheel drive platform has a new design possibilities for the Infiniti from the outside, does not permit a bold new approach to the cabin. The flat floor and comfortable opening, Infiniti Concept Etherea interior has been designed with comfort and space while offering luxury and craftsmanship Infiniti buyers expect. As Francois counter says: "Your first experience in the premium luxury car should feel that way."
The B pillar-less design and open the opposite door cab and highlights its easy access and excellent rooms. In the absence of transmission tunnel and a flat floor, welcoming the opening of the cabin Etherea extends through the car, with only elegantly slim consoles between the four posts that act as arms and home control assistant.
As each driving position is sporty Infiniti. The control layout is very focused on the driver, but not in a way that excludes passengers. Here is a concept that can be luxurious and sporty all share. For example, the center of the dashboard has a double screen, as both easily accessible to the front passenger than the driver. The bottom, more like the screen is a touch screen to control functions such as climate control and entertainment, while the display is intended only to display the information.
"Hamon" is a Japanese word to call the dashboard. It refers to the ripples on a pond, which radiate outward from a stone thrown in water. Similarly to call radiate outward central rev counter. It 's a highly ergonomic and elegant solution.
harmonious design and materials are at the heart of Etherea Infiniti Concept interior, as they are in any Infiniti. Features making their debut include Etherea Kumihimo, piping on the seats kimono and Inuyarai, slashes in the elimination of interior doors. Etherea debut as the new set of Infiniti, a version of finished parchment style known in Japanese washi. The new finish called Kasane Washi-and introduces a new form of paper sheet, improve its texture. The know-how in Etherea Infiniti concept is inspired by Japanese culture, and reinterpreted by technology.
Since the study of the future entry-level model of production Infiniti Etherea off existing market segments, the proof that Infiniti, allowing its Alliance Partner, is serious about competing, as well as a compact luxury and Europe.
Bancon said: "Etherea is a redefinition, not a revolution - one car for buyers whose idea of luxury is very different from the stereotypes Etherea Infiniti Concept is not a stereotype is a bit borderline cases, is an expression of identity. .. and personality. It adds the new values, and disseminate existing. More than anything, it is not just another luxury compact car. "
