Infiniti Etherea Hybrid Concept Previews New Compact Hatchback

This five-door hatchback model is the Infiniti Etherea concept, and it"s set to be unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March. The Etherea previews the Japanese brand"s foray into the compact luxury segment, with the production model scheduled to enter the market within the next two to three years.

Designed under the supervision of Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura, the 4.4 meter long concept is said to blend elements of coup?, sedan, hatchback and even crossover models "in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form". The Etherea also incorporates styling cues from the Japanese firm"s well received Essence sports car study from 2009 including the...blurry-shaped C-pillar and front grille design.
While Infiniti did not publish any information on the Etherea"s mechanical hardware, the logo on the front fenders tells us that it gets a hybrid powertrain. We"ll have more on the Etherea concept after its presentation at the Geneva Salon.

Infiniti Details European-Spec M35h Hybrid Sedan

Infiniti has released preliminary specs and performance figures for the European market version of its M35h hybrid sedan, due to arrive in dealerships this spring. Boasting an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.26, the Japanese maker?s first hybrid model weighs less than its diesel-powered M30d sibling and returns 6.9 lt/100 km (33.6 US mpg) on the combined cycle. However, customers will have to make do with a smaller boot, measuring just 350 liters.

The hybrid sedan"s powertrain comprises a 306HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission and a 68HP (50kW) electric motor. The combined output is 364HP, good enough to accelerate the 1.830 kg (4.035 lbs) luxury sedan from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

In electric-only mode, the M35h is capable of reaching speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph, with Infiniti stating that in real-world testing, the car can be driven in this mode for as much as 50% of the time on mixed routes. To further improve the powertrain?s efficiency, the M35h also comes with regenerative brakes.

To warn pedestrians and the visually impaired while in electric-only mode, the hybrid sedan is fitted with the Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system, which emits a non-intrusive sound that varies pitch and volume at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph).

Infiniti said European-wide pricing will be announced before the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Infiniti Details European-Spec M35h Hybrid Sedan

Infiniti has released preliminary specs and performance figures for the European market version of its M35h hybrid sedan, due to arrive in dealerships this spring. Boasting an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.26, the Japanese maker?s first hybrid model weighs less than its diesel-powered M30d sibling and returns 6.9 lt/100 km (33.6 US mpg) on the combined cycle. However, customers will have to make do with a smaller boot, measuring just 350 liters.

The hybrid sedan"s powertrain comprises a 306HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission and a 68HP (50kW) electric motor. The combined output is 364HP, good enough to accelerate the 1.830 kg (4.035 lbs) luxury sedan from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

In electric-only mode, the M35h is capable of reaching speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph, with Infiniti stating that in real-world testing, the car can be driven in this mode for as much as 50% of the time on mixed routes. To further improve the powertrain?s efficiency, the M35h also comes with regenerative brakes.

To warn pedestrians and the visually impaired while in electric-only mode, the hybrid sedan is fitted with the Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system, which emits a non-intrusive sound that varies pitch and volume at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph).

Infiniti said European-wide pricing will be announced before the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in early March.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

No Really, this is a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider and it"s Powered by a Subaru Turbo Boxer!

Don"t let the Nissan 350Z snout and the Infiniti G35 Coupe (JDM Nissan Skyline V35) rear end design fool you; the glitzy painted roadster model you"re gawking at is in fact a JDM Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider - possibly a third generation model. But before you try to digest all that info let us quickly add that Paint Star"s Tokyo Auto Salon project car also hides a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine under its 350Z-shaped hood. See the rest of the photos in our image gallery after the break.

No Really, this is a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider and it"s Powered by a Subaru Turbo Boxer!

Don"t let the Nissan 350Z snout and the Infiniti G35 Coupe (JDM Nissan Skyline V35) rear end design fool you; the glitzy painted roadster model you"re gawking at is in fact a JDM Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider - possibly a third generation model. But before you try to digest all that info let us quickly add that Paint Star"s Tokyo Auto Salon project car also hides a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine under its 350Z-shaped hood. See the rest of the photos in our image gallery after the break.

Photos: Phil Alex / Carscoop

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________