Infiniti dropped this bomb on the awaiting public a month ago in Geneva. They teased us for a long time with the Louis Vuitton luggage set and abstract angles of the car. Nissan executives promised something truly special.
On the day of unveiling, when the Nissan stagehands turned on the lights, what appeared was simply jaw-dropping. The pure gorgeousness of the car made most of the show-goers weak in the knees. Infiniti called it the Essence, and it absolutely stole the show.
This concept car has the goods to back up its awesome look. It features a hybrid drivetrain, unique to Nissan/Infiniti, producing more than 590HP and all kinds of new technologies that will be found in future Infiniti and Nissan vehicles. Should be a no-brainer for production, right?
No.
This is a design and technology study only. Too bad, because this car would have killed the Aston-Martin crowd. It out-Aston-Martins the Aston-Martin, probably with better reliability.
The good news is that the word from Nissan has it that the hybrid drivetrain will make it to the next Infiniti M series (Nissan Fuga in Japan), which is due in about year. Also the design cues from the Essence will be used in the next Infiniti Q-ship (Q50?).
It would be an excellent idea to bring the Essence into production and let it go up against the uber-luxo sports coupes, such as Aston-Martins and some Ferraris. Maybe we all need to start writing and calling Nissan/Infiniti and demand that they produce the Essence. If the naming is an issue, we would suggest Infinti S50?
Mr. Ghosn, and the rest of Nissan decision makers, don’t let this beauty become a side note in your company history.
-KF
