Infiniti Etherea Concept
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http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Se...hiro-Nakamura/
'It was about 18 months ago. We’re quite organised with our timing. It was a bespoke design just for the Geneva show.'
Which means you have already started work on a concept for Geneva 2012?
'Yes, of course!'
The Etherea is front wheel drive – why the switch from rear-drive, particularly after Infiniti has consistently said it will stick to four-wheel or rear-drive architecture?
'We want to make a compact Infiniti, one smaller than the G. A rear-drive layout on smaller architecture results in tight rear accommodation [a sideways swipe at the RWD BMW 1-series]. That’s not ideal. Front-wheel drive configuration is a much better solution.'
How does a FWD layout impact on Infiniti’s design language?
'The Etherea is not a simple reskin of Qashqai. Not at all. The challenge is to create a rear-drive look. Front-drive cars have a wedgier attitude. We set out to achieve a look that had a more horizontal centre of gravity, one with more elegance while still maintaining the visual dynamism of the Infiniti style. The A-pillar was a real challenge. It’s unique and it was difficult but I think it gives the car a real cab-backwards look. I like it very much…'
How realistic is the Etherea as a production prospect?
'Show cars are always weird. We use them to experiment, you know. But there are elements here that you will see on future Infiniti models. Like the headlamps. Although they are technically very sophisticated LED lights, they have human warmth to them. And the lack of centre console on the Etherea is a very different approach for us, using space to create a feeling of luxury. But don’t expect the rear-hinged rear doors to make it onto production – they just allow people a better view of the cabin.'
You could argue the point that the Etherea is trying too hard to mix different segments…
'We see the crossover segment as one with huge potential. Look at the success of the FX. It’s an iconic car for us, embodying the strengths and character of the Infiniti brand. Traditional categories should not be ignored of course, but we are not just playing with niches here. We want to create category-breaking cars. We all feel Infiniti is too small. Europe has great potential, and even attitudes in America are changing. It wasn’t that long ago that a hatch was seen as cheap…'
What about the Infiniti EV that’s coming?
'It’s a Nissan Leaf-based four-door saloon. But it won’t be a reskinned Leaf. That would be a catastrophe. It was very challenging to design this – the Infiniti character has not been compromised. We’ve been ballsy.'
So who decides if the Etherea is built or not?
'You do! It’s up to the journalists and public to tell us if we have succeeded – or not. It’s almost like an open clinic. Give us your feedback. If it’s positive, we’ll build it. If not, we won’t.'
'Infiniti Etherea concept (2011): Shiro Nakamura's guide
By Ben Whitworth
Motor Industry
08 April 2011 15:52
The global unveiling of the Etherea concept car and a tie-in with reigning F1 champions Red Bull Racing made for a busy start to the year for Infiniti.
In between endless meetings and flights, we collared Nissan and Infiniti design chief Shiro Nakamura to get the low-down on the Etherea…
When did you start work on the Etherea?
By Ben Whitworth
Motor Industry
08 April 2011 15:52
The global unveiling of the Etherea concept car and a tie-in with reigning F1 champions Red Bull Racing made for a busy start to the year for Infiniti.
In between endless meetings and flights, we collared Nissan and Infiniti design chief Shiro Nakamura to get the low-down on the Etherea…
When did you start work on the Etherea?
'It was about 18 months ago. We’re quite organised with our timing. It was a bespoke design just for the Geneva show.'
Which means you have already started work on a concept for Geneva 2012?
'Yes, of course!'
The Etherea is front wheel drive – why the switch from rear-drive, particularly after Infiniti has consistently said it will stick to four-wheel or rear-drive architecture?
'We want to make a compact Infiniti, one smaller than the G. A rear-drive layout on smaller architecture results in tight rear accommodation [a sideways swipe at the RWD BMW 1-series]. That’s not ideal. Front-wheel drive configuration is a much better solution.'
How does a FWD layout impact on Infiniti’s design language?
'The Etherea is not a simple reskin of Qashqai. Not at all. The challenge is to create a rear-drive look. Front-drive cars have a wedgier attitude. We set out to achieve a look that had a more horizontal centre of gravity, one with more elegance while still maintaining the visual dynamism of the Infiniti style. The A-pillar was a real challenge. It’s unique and it was difficult but I think it gives the car a real cab-backwards look. I like it very much…'
How realistic is the Etherea as a production prospect?
'Show cars are always weird. We use them to experiment, you know. But there are elements here that you will see on future Infiniti models. Like the headlamps. Although they are technically very sophisticated LED lights, they have human warmth to them. And the lack of centre console on the Etherea is a very different approach for us, using space to create a feeling of luxury. But don’t expect the rear-hinged rear doors to make it onto production – they just allow people a better view of the cabin.'
You could argue the point that the Etherea is trying too hard to mix different segments…
'We see the crossover segment as one with huge potential. Look at the success of the FX. It’s an iconic car for us, embodying the strengths and character of the Infiniti brand. Traditional categories should not be ignored of course, but we are not just playing with niches here. We want to create category-breaking cars. We all feel Infiniti is too small. Europe has great potential, and even attitudes in America are changing. It wasn’t that long ago that a hatch was seen as cheap…'
What about the Infiniti EV that’s coming?
'It’s a Nissan Leaf-based four-door saloon. But it won’t be a reskinned Leaf. That would be a catastrophe. It was very challenging to design this – the Infiniti character has not been compromised. We’ve been ballsy.'
So who decides if the Etherea is built or not?
'You do! It’s up to the journalists and public to tell us if we have succeeded – or not. It’s almost like an open clinic. Give us your feedback. If it’s positive, we’ll build it. If not, we won’t.'
#55
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Article
Nissan said today that Austrian contract manufacturer Magna Steyr will build a new premium compact car for the automaker's Infiniti brand starting in 2014.
Infiniti boss Andy Palmer said in a statement that the car will help the brand to reach new consumers and grow in key markets such as western Europe.
Nissan did not give any more details about the car or say whether it will be sold in markets outside Europe such as the United States.
But sources told Automotive News Europe last December that Nissan wants to roll out the entry-level car worldwide to help win a 10% share of the global luxury market.
Infiniti executives have previously said the entry-level model will compete with premium compact cars such as the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A class.
The car is expected to be based on Mercedes's MFA compact platform that underpins the new A- and B-class cars. Renault-Nissan and Mercedes parent Daimler announced a strategic cooperation between the 2 companies in 2010.
Daimler will supply numerous preassembled "complete parts" to Infiniti, sources told Automotive News Europe last December.
About 50,000 to 60,000 units a year of the Infiniti could be built in Graz, the sources said at the time. The cars will be exported globally and will offer Mercedes' 4- and 6-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines.
By using Mercedes components, Infiniti avoids potentially huge development costs. In exchange, Mercedes receives licensing fees for each manufactured vehicle and benefits from economies of scale.
Infiniti started selling cars in Europe in 2008 but has made slow progress against established German premium rivals and Toyota's Lexus. Last year Infiniti sold 3,681 cars in Europe, a rise of 54% on 2010, according to JATO Dynamics.
Magna Steyr, the European unit of Canada's Magna International, has engineered the Infiniti compact and the car is expected to be built at the supplier's contract assembly operation in Graz, Austria, which builds the Peugeot RCZ coupe, Mini Countryman SUV and Aston Martin Rapide.
Nissan and Magna are finalizing details of manufacturing and supply agreements, the 2 firms said in a joint statement.
The Etherea concept previews Infiniti's new premium compact car.
Infiniti's Etherea concept car offered an early look at the design of the model when it debuted at the 2011 Geneva auto show.
Infiniti believes the production car will find a receptive market among young buyers in Europe. Company executives say the model will combine driving performance and an emphasis on style to compete with German luxury brands.
Under a mid-term growth plan, Nissan is targeting sales of 500,000 Infinitis worldwide by 2016. Nissan sold about 146,000 globally, mostly in the United States, in the business year ended March 2011.
#56
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Update
We know that luxury auto brand Infiniti is working on a compact model to take on the likes of the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3. Based on the Etherea concept shown in 2011, the smallest Infiniti model will be built by Magna Steyr in Austria, using a version of the Mercedes-Benz MFA front-drive platform.
Now comes word from the Netherland’s De Telegraaf that Infiniti’s compact offering may not be limited to just a single model. Borrowing a page from partner Mercedes-Benz’s playbook, Infiniti may seek to produce a family of compact vehicles on the MFA platform.
Mercedes builds some 5 different models based on MFA architecture, which can be adapted to either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive use. If Infiniti followed suit, possibilities include a C-segment crossover or even a coupe to supplement the expected sedan.
Don’t look for confirmation from Infiniti just yet, as executive vice president Andy Palmer was quoted as saying, “We are aware that there are opportunities for other types (of vehicles) in the C-segment. There is nothing decided. The variants will be appropriate to the brand.”
In other words, Infiniti isn’t showing its hand until whatever vehicles it is planning are closer to launch. Given the competitive nature of the segment, we say that’s just good business.
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