infiniti

2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Premium Hatchbacks

While they may just be catching on here in America, across the ocean premium hatchbacks like the Audi A3 and Mini Cooper represent the way things are done. They offer the luxury of a larger sedan or SUV, but in a smaller, more economical and more urban-friendly form. And at this year's Geneva Motor Show, there was no shortage of automakers unveiling their new visions for the segment.

Mini came back with an even smaller concept, Infiniti and Saab threw their proverbial hats in the ring, Fiat showcase two new variants of its popular 500 model and its sister company Lancia joined with a new entry of its own. Follow the jump to see what they had to offer.

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, 500, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 by gucci, fiat 500 zagato coupé, fiat 500 zagato coupe, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, infiniti, infiniti etherea, jason castriota, mini, mini rocketman, mini rocketman concept, saab, saab phoenix, zagato

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Infiniti Presents the Etherea Concept for Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Infiniti has taken the wraps off its latest concept car. Called the Etherea, the show car was previewed just a few days ago and will make its public debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

The idea is to take on the likes of the BMW 1 Series and Lexus CT 200h in the premium hatchback segment. And though the Etherea remains a concept for the time being, Infinit is expected to preview a production version in the near future.

Tags: Etherea, geneva, geneva motor show, Infiniti, Infiniti Etherea, Infiniti Etherea Concept

Infiniti Etheria Concept Heading to Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Infiniti is planning on revealing a new compact coupe concept at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, and has released the silhouette sketch you see above to pique our interests.

Although little in the way of details were released, sources expect it to be called the Etheria, built atop a platform from parent company Nissan/Renault, with a turbocharged engine sourced from Mercedes-Benz. Whatever form and name it takes, it'll be targeted directly at the likes of the Audi A3, Volvo C30, BMW 1 Series and Lexus CT 200h.

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, etheria, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, infiniti, infiniti etheria

Infiniti EX Black Premium Edition

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

Is black the new gold? It may very well be if credit cards (like the Visa Black card or Centurion by American Express) are anything to go by. The latest to equate the dark shade with exclusive benefits and the luxury lifestyle is Infiniti with the new EX Black Premium edition.

Regrettably offered only in Europe, the Black Premium upgrades on the existing E30d GT Premium with such special touches as metallic Malbec black paint, graphite leather interior 19-inch alloys, sunroof, aluminum roof rails and Bose sound system.

The party piece, however, comes through Infiniti's partnership with the ritzy Relais & Châteaux group of hotels, where buyers of the exclusive luxury crossover vehicle will get a complimentary night for two (including breakfast and dinner) and automatic admission to the exclusive Club 5C for extra benefits. Only 500 examples will be offered, each commanding an approximately $5k premium over the existing top-end EX.

Gallery: Infiniti EX30d Black Premium

Tags: ex, ex30d, Infiniti, Infiniti Black Premium, Infiniti EX, Infiniti EX Black Premium, Infiniti EX30d, Infiniti EX30d Black Premium, Relais Chateaux

Infiniti Limited Edition Ski Pack by Volant

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports

Infiniti Limited Edition Ski Pack by Volant

If you've undertaken the expense of buying an Infiniti to take you and yours up to the ski resort, you're not going to mount just any old skis on the roof now, are you? Of course not. That's why the luxury Japanese automaker has teamed up for a special package with premium wintersport equipment manufacturer Volant – the same company that made special skis for Prada.

The Infiniti-Volant Limited Edition Ski Pack consists of a pair of special skis – personalized with the owner's name – and the roof rack you'll need to mount them on the roof of your Infiniti. Only 100 examples will be offered at a £1,950 suggested retail price.

Gallery: Infiniti Ski Pack by Volant

Tags: amer, amer sports, amer sports group, infiniti, ski, ski pack, ski rack, skis, volant

Essence Sculpture by Infiniti and Louis Vuitton

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art, Architecture & Design

This isn't the first time Infiniti and Louis Vuitton have teamed up. The last time was on the bespoke fitted luggage to accompany the show-stopping Essence concept car unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Now the two have come back together for a follow-up.

This limited-edition resin sculpture is created by the same talents behind the concept car, and comes in a specially-crafted Louis Vuitton carrying/presentation case. Only 300 examples will be offered, each fetching $300. The sculpture and case will be unveiled at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, after which it will become available via infinitilifestyle.com.

Gallery: Infiniti Essence Sculpture

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Tags: 2010 la auto show, 2010 los angeles auto show, expire-images:2010-12-16, infiniti, infiniti essence, infiniti essence concept, infiniti essence sculpture, la auto show, los angeles auto show, louis vuitton, sculpture

Infiniti Performance Line G Convertible Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Japanese luxury automaker Infiniti is preparing to unveil the latest in its Infiniti Performance Line this week in Paris. The IPL G Convertible Concept is, as the name suggests, strictly a concept car for the time being, but it has real production potential, upgrading the existing G37 convertible with some added attitude.

Although Infiniti hasn't released any official details on what it's done to the convertible, its fixed-roof counterpart, the IPL G37 Coupe, is hitting the streets from December with a 348-horsepower engine, factory body-kit and chassis modifications.

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, infiniti, infiniti g37, infiniti g37 convertible, Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept, infiniti performance line, Infiniti Performance Line G Convertible, Infiniti Performance Line G Convertible Concept, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show

Bell & Ross BR03-92 Instrument Phantom Infiniti

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos

Customers spending big bucks on fancy wheels are growing to demand timepieces to match. So to compliment the release of the FX Limited Edition overseas, Infiniti has teamed up with Swiss watchmaker Bell & Ross for an exclusive, limited edition wristwatch.

Called the BM03-92 Phantom Instrument, the timepiece features a 42-millimeter case coated in black carbon powder finish with complimenting galvanized black dial and purple accents. Only 100 examples will be made, available exclusively through Infiniti dealers in Europe, selling for £2,809.97 ($4,145) apiece.

Gallery: Bell & Ross BR03-92 Instrument Phantom Infiniti

Tags: bell and ross, bell ross, Bell Ross BR03-92, Bell Ross BR03-92 Instrument Phantom Infiniti, fx, infiniti, infiniti fx, infiniti fx limited edition

New Deal Means Infiniti Will Get Mercedes Power

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

New deals, mergers and joint ventures are constantly being brokered in the automotive industry. And many of them involve Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler. The ink on the German automaker's divorce from Chrysler is barely dry, and they recently penned a cooperative deal with Aston Martin. But now another could see increased cooperation between two of the world's biggest players.

The deal has been signed between Daimler chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche and Carlos Ghosn, who presides over the Renault-Nissan Alliance, including their luxury division Infiniti. The partnership will allow both to benefit from each other's strengths in a variety of ways. Among the first will see four-cylinder Mercedes engines transplanted into the Infiniti G range. Both automakers note that, while their products compete in the same arena, customers don't typically comparison shop between these two brands specifically.

Gallery: 2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan

Tags: alliance, carlos ghosn, daimler, dieter zetsche, dr dieter zetsche, infiniti, infiniti g, infiniti g37, luxury cars, mercedes, mercedes-benz, nissan, renault, renault-nissan alliance

Luxury Cars Converge from Near and Far on the 2010 New York Auto Show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

What would an auto show be without an array of luxury and performance automobiles on display? While the Geneva salon last month held the greatest variety of vehicles targeted by European automakers especially at upscale buyers, the recently concluded New York Auto Show wasn't without its share as well.

This year's expo at the Javitz Center in Manhattan, our crew on the ground got a first had look at the latest from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Cadillac, Lincoln, Acura and Infiniti, and even Hyundai. Each brought out its latest luxury sedans, wagons, crossovers and sport-utility vehicle. Follow the jump to see what they saw.

Tags: 2010 new york auto show, Acura, Acura TSX, Acura TSX Sport Wagon, Alpina, Aplina B7, BMW, BMW Alpina, BMW Alpina B7 xDrive, Cadillac, Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon, CTS, CTS-V, Equus, Hyundai, Infiniti, Infiniti QX56, javitz, javitz center, Lincoln, Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Mercedes, Mercedes R-Class, Mercedes R350, Mercedes-Benz R-Class, Mercedes-Benz R350, new york, new york auto show, TSX

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Lexus, Infiniti Not Currently Planning BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Competitors

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

BMW 535i Gran Turismo – Click above for high-res image gallery

Depending on who you ask, BMW is either at the forefront of an exciting new automotive genre with the 5 Series Gran Turismo, or is inventing market segments with no real purpose other than to grab several thousand new sales from those who simply must be seen in the latest trendy niche. In other words, the 5 Series GT is nothing if not polarizing.

For now, it seems that you can put such luxury brands Lexus and Infiniti in the latter camp, though fellow upmarket Japanese automaker Acura is headed down a similar path as its German counterpart with the new ZDX – at least with regard to the X6. Speaking to Auto Observer at the New York Auto Show, Ben Poore, Nissan North America's vice president of the Infiniti business unit, said, "What [we are] seeing is a much stronger preference (among consumers) for a trunk."

Granted, some may see little difference between such vehicles as the 5 Series GT and Infiniti's own EX and FX crossovers, but Poore suggests the machines aren't direct competitors. "I'd rather be on (either) the crossover styling or the trunk styling," he said. Dave Nordstrom, Lexus' vice president of marketing, concurs, saying, "We don't have any plans for it right now. We have not seen the demand from our customers – but we continue to look at it."

Gallery: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

[Source: Auto Observer]

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Tags: Acura, Acura ZDX, AcuraZdx, bmw, BMW 5 series, bmw 5 series gran turismo, bmw 5 series gt, BMW 5-series, BMW 5-Series GT, BMW 5-Series Touring, Bmw5-series, Bmw5-seriesGt, Bmw5-seriesTouring, Bmw5Series, Bmw5SeriesGranTurismo, Bmw5SeriesGt, Infiniti, infiniti fx, InfinitiFx, lexus

Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, BMW and Infiniti Modifications from Wald International

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

One at a time, fellas. That's how most aftermarket tuners approach their projects. But not Wald International. The Japanese tuning house is launching a new line of modifications for some of the most eminently desirable luxury sedans and "four door coupes" on the market, all at once.

Included in the line-up are none other than the Porsche Panamera, Jaguar XJ, BMW 7 Series, Infiniti M and the Rolls-Royce Ghost, just for good measure. Little in the way of details have been announced, but from the images you can see in the gallery below, it appears Wald has fitted each with new front bumpers, side skirts, spoilers and wheels mounted to lowered suspensions.

Gallery: Luxury Sedans by Wald International

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Tags: 7 series, 7Series, bmw, bmw 7 series, Bmw7Series, ghost, infiniti, infiniti m, InfinitiM, jaguar, jaguar xj, JaguarXj, m, panamera, porsche, Porsche Panamera, PorschePanamera, rolls-royce, rolls-royce ghost, Rolls-royceGhost, wald, wald international, WaldInternational, xj

Infiniti Europe presents FX Limited Edition

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Opportunity knocks but once. Or so the saying goes. But that might need some revision, because Infiniti has come around again with another opportunity for those who missed theirs to buy the FX Millionaire Edition.

Like the Millionaire, the FX Limited Edition can be ordered in scratch-resistant Obsidian Black or White Moonlight paint. It features a host of special touches inside and out, from the dark graphite trim and 21" turbine-shaped rims to the Alcantara and carbon fiber trim on the interior. It comes with all the options. Only 100 will be made, and they'll only be available in Europe.

Fortunately for European customers, the pricing is significantly more attractive – about $46,000 more attractive, in the case of the range-topping, V8-engined FX50S Limited Edition, which sells for £62,035, with the V6-powered FX37S Limited Edition coming in at a more attainable £55,855.

Gallery: Infiniti FX Limited Edition

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Tags: europe, infiniti, infiniti europe, infiniti fx, infiniti fx limited edition, InfinitiEurope, InfinitiFx, InfinitiFxLimitedEdition, limited edition, LimitedEdition, special edition, SpecialEdition

All-New Infiniti M Debuts in Los Angeles

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The new Infiniti M has been a long time coming. While its kid brother the G has been updated a couple of times, and the FX crossover has as well, the outgoing range-topping M has had to soldier on until now.

We first got a glimpse of its design – inspired by the show-stopping Essence concept – at the Monterey concours back in August, and it's finally made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The styling is a vast improvement over the boxy model it replaces, but as with many great Japanese luxury sedans, it's what's underneath all that curvaceous bodywork that counts most.

Available in M37 or M55 guise, the new luxury sedan can be had with a 330hp 3.7-liter V6 or a 420hp direct-injection 5.6-liter V8 (producing nearly 100 more horsepower than the 4.5-liter unit it replaces), both with Infiniti's proprietary valve-timing system. A hybrid system is in the works as well. The M packs either rear or all-wheel-drive with a seven-speed automatic and available four-wheel-steering, and benefits from such safety systems as Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Lane Departure Warning and Intervention, Distance Control Assist, Active Tracing Control, Intelligent Brake Assist and Forward Collision Warning, all in an effort to keep this svelte new sedan and its occupants safe along the journey.

Gallery: 2009 LA Auto Show: Infiniti M

Gallery: 2011 Infiniti M sedan

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Tags: 2009 la auto show, 2009 los angeles auto show, 2009LaAutoShow, 2009LosAngelesAutoShow, infiniti, Infiniti M, infiniti m37, infiniti m56, InfinitiM, InfinitiM37, InfinitiM56, la auto show, LaAutoShow, los angeles, los angeles auto show, LosAngeles, LosAngelesAutoShow, m37, m56

Infiniti Unveils Updated G37 at Los Angeles Show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Infiniti has been busy at work. After charting the course for its new design direction with the breathtaking Essence concept in Geneva last March, Nissan's luxury division has been on a campaign to revise its entire range.

The G37 Coupe and Convertible have been recently revised. The FX crossover recently underwent a complete replacement. The M sedan is all-new for 2011. There's a new QX sport-utility coming early next year. Plans continue ahead for the company's first all-electric vehicle. And just to make sure its bread-and-butter luxury saloon wasn't left behind, they've revised the G37 sedan as well, unveiled just last week at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Updates over the outgoing model are subtle, but keep the sedan looking fresh for the next few years. The front end has been updated along the lines of Infiniti's new styling language, along with a subtly revised rear bumper and new wheels. Inside, the cabin has been revised with white instrument gauges, a 7-inch LCD touch screen to operate the sound system and real-time traffic and navigation system. The center console has been restyled, and there's new wood veneers and aluminum trim. Check it out for yourself in the high-resolution image galleries below.

Gallery: 2009 LA Auto Show: Infiniti G37 Sedan