All-new Nissan Skyline coming in 2013 - AMG engine likely to be fitted!

The all new Nissan Skyline (earlier post), aka Infiniti G, which is known internally as the V37, will hit the markets in 2013 and according to Japanese Best Car magazine, a V8 may be fitted (113M55), which will be a tuned down version of Merc's engine fitted in a number of AMG models. The power output is expected to be around 360 ps.

A hybrid model will be also introduced, which is going to be coupled to the VQ35HR V6 engine. The fuel efficiency of the hybrid model should be around 20.0 km/L.

Infiniti teases new JX premium crossover!

Infiniti is planning to introduce an all-new luxury crossover badged as JX. A concept will be presented in August and the production version will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Sales will start in spring 2012. According to Infiniti, “The all-new Infiniti JX is the 7-passenger antidote to the ho-hum luxury crossovers that are out there right now”.

Merc's upcoming compact models

This post may seem a bit bizarre to many of you, but the compact car segment is a vital one for all manufacturers and especially for luxury brands, since they need strong sales in order to develop their bigger models. So, since I got a copy of the latest Auto Motor und Sport issue yesterday, which has some interesting renderings of Mercedes' new models, I thought it would be nice to share some photos with you.

Lexus has already introduced the CT (earlier post) and I spotted one today. I have to admit that I wasn't really impressed. There is nothing exciting about it at all...

Infiniti on the other hand is more promising with the ETHEREA concept (earlier post) and I believe their new compact model will stand out from the crown, although it won't be easy "stealing" customers from the top three German makes. 

Although the other two German luxury brands are preparing also their rivals, I consider the new Mercs being of a greater interest, since there is a completely new approach and 5 models (A-Class, B-Class, GLC, CLC and CLC Shooting Brake) will be introduced in total. I have to admit that Mercedes had a disappointing lineup for around 10 years, but this has started to change and I am really impressed with the new CLS, E-Class Coupe and SLK.

BMW will introduce the new 1-Series later this year and it will be slightly bigger than the current generation and in terms of design, expect to see an evolution of the current one. Although the new "1er" will certainly be a very nice car to drive, it will look similar to the previous one, plus BMW's interiors have ended up being boring since the same theme is applied over and over again...

In terms of the new Audi A3... don't expect anything great in terms of exterior design. I am big Audi fan, but all the latest models look the same.... A4, A5, A8 (A4 on steroids) etc. Even the new Q3 looks almost identical to the Q5. Nice LEDs though...

Scoop on Infiniti's mighty sports car!!! (Part 2)

The latest batch of Japanese magazines arrived on Wednesday and I would like to apologize for the lack of posts during the last week. 

So, the latest BC issue has some info on Infiniti's mighty sports car (earlier post). As already reported, a hybrid powertrain will be fitted capable of producing a total of 600 ps, yet achieving a fuel efficiency of 12.5 km/L!

Infiniti ETHEREA Concept revealed at Geneva!

Infiniti ETHEREA Concept (earlier post) has made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and it re-imagines the compact luxury car for a discerning new generation of younger buyers.

"Etherea is about a new type of luxury," said Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President and Leader of the Global Infiniti Business Unit.

"It is for younger buyers who do not want a smaller version of a typically conservative and traditional luxury car. It is for people who want a car that defines who they are, not who their parents were."

More photos after the jump!

Scoop on Infiniti's mighty sports car!!!

According to BC, Infiniti (aka Nissan Premium Factory) will launch a mighty sports car in 2013 - 2014. Power is likely to come from either a Mercedes-Benz V8 engine, or Nissan's twin turbo VQ37VHR 3.7L engine. The power from the petrol engine should be around 440 ps, which will be boosted with an additional power of 160 ps from the electric drive system, thus giving a total of 600 ps!

Best Car Super Scoop Special issue arrived!!!

The BC Super Scoop Special issue has just arrived from Japan, so stay tuned for a lot of news!!!

Infiniti ETHEREA Concept previews new compact model

We knew that Infiniti will reveal a concept at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show previewing its new compact model (earlier post) and rumours suggested also that it will be powered by a Mercedes engine (earlier post). Well, now Infiniti released the first images showing the actual concept car, named ETHEREA, and I have to admit that it looks awesome!!! If you take a close look at the images, you will notice also that it carries the "hybrid" badge.

The really nice thing about ETHEREA is the fact that it's a total fresh approach. Designed under the direction of Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura, ETHEREA blends elements of coupé, sedan, hatchback and even crossover in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form.

At 4.4m it is highly compact but at the same time it is space efficient and practical thanks to a new mechanical layout and innovative access arrangements. Among its surprises are high-tech new interpretations of traditional Japanese materials and finishes, and several design cues set to make their mark on future production models – including the highly distinctive crescent-shaped C-pillar first seen on the Essence concept.

Now, did I mention that I am really excited about ETHEREA?!

Infiniti confirms reveal of concept previewing new compact model

It's now also official. A concept previewing the new baby Infiniti (earlier post) is indeed going to be presented at the Geneva Motor Show (March 01).

“Infiniti is currently examining concepts for a luxury performance car that will fit below the current G Line. Like every Infiniti, it will be completely different to anything currently offered by our rivals.” So said Andy Palmer, Senior Vice President for Infiniti, at the opening of the Infiniti Centre Piccadilly in London during September 2010.

Baby Infiniti, powered by Mercedes, coming to Geneva Motor Show

A concept previewing the new baby Infiniti (earlier post) is going to be presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March. According to Autocar's sources in Japan, the new model is going to be a coupe-like three-door hatchback and it is likely to use the platform of the next-gen Megane. Power is expected to come from a turbocharged MB four-cylinder engine, which is likely going to be the 1.8L CGI (DE18LA) one.

Adeyaka Magazine (Infiniti): Quest for Inspiration

New Skyline Coupe / Infiniti G Coupe coming in 2012

A while back, Autocar reported that the new Nissan Skyline (earlier post), aka Infiniti G, has already been shown to the management. Now, a Japanse magazine has published the rendering shown, claiming that a hybrid version will be available, along with diesel engines supplied by Mercedes-Benz.

The new model is expected to launched either at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, or at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show.

[Source: IMP-X's blog]

Infiniti EX (EUDM) to get blind spot warning system

Infiniti's sporting coupe crossover, the EX (aka Nissan Skyline Crossover), is getting a new Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system for 2011. This safety feature, which uses both audible and visual signals to alert the driver for an adjacent vehicle in the blind spot area, is a very helpful safety system and it will be fitted as standard to the top-selling EX GT Premium versions of both V6 petrol and V6 diesel models.

Well, it is not a new technology since Volvo offers it the last few years, but having owned a Volvo with BLIS (this is how Volvo calls it), I have to admit that it's an impressive safety feature and extremely useful for motorcycles approaching the car.

In the case of the EX, each time a vehicle enters the blind spot area, amber lights at the base of the door mirrors start to blink. If the driver activates the indicator, showing an intention to change lanes, the lights are supplemented by a warning sound – further indication of a potentially dangerous situation.

Blind Spot Warning is not the only innovative technology, as EX is offered with other intelligent systems such as Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Brake Assist, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Prevention.

Infiniti EV sedan coming in 2013

Infiniti is already working on a compact model (earlier post) and also, on an EV sedan. The latter is sceduled to go on sale in 2013. 

According to managing director Shiro Nakamura, the sketch shown above is a very good indication of what to expect to see on the streets. The final design is going to be decided in the middle of 2011.

[Source: Response]

New Infiniti G / Skyline (スカイライン) shown to management

The new Nissan Skyline (earlier post), aka Infiniti G, has been already shown to the management according to Autocar's sources. The car is said to feature a “dramatic” use of LED strip lights at its front end and a near production-ready concept could be revealed at the 2011 Tokyo motor show or 2012 Detroit motor show, ahead of its 2012 production date.

Infiniti M35h (Fuga Hybrid) with standard VSP tech in Europe

The Infiniti M35h (earlier post), aka Nissan Fuga Hybrid in Japan - 日産フーガ ハイブリッド, will become the world's first hybrid to feature an audible pedestrian warning system as standard when it goes on sale in six months’ time in Europe. 

"The new Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system – is computer controlled and links an in-car sound synthesiser with a speaker built in to the front bumper. It automatically works from start-up to 30 km/h, cutting back in at 25 km/h as the vehicle slows.

Instead of just a single tone, a range of high-low sounds at different volume levels was chosen after an extensive research programme to find the most effective, but least intrusive, noise. The team developing the system in Infiniti’s parent group worked with cognitive and acoustic psychologists studying areas from pedestrian behavioural patterns to noise pollution.
The result is a sine-wave sound that extends from 2.5kHz at the high end to a low of 600Hz. It is a range readily audible to all age groups while avoiding a sound range (around 1,000Hz) that would add unnecessary noise to the environment.

Infiniti announces LE collector’s "Essence Sculpture"

I guess you remember the stunning Infiniti prototype called Essence. Well, the actual car is not going into production, at least at the moment, but Infiniti has announced that a Limited Edition collector’s “Essence Sculpture” will do so. Made from solid resin, penned by the vehicle’s original Infiniti designer, and supervised by Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Shiro Nakamura, the beautiful ornaments will be restricted to 300 individually numbered units worldwide.

And there is more...  Louis Vuitton craftsmen have designed an original Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite design case to serve as a high quality, transport and presentation case for the first Essence Sculpture that will be on display at the global Headquarters of Infiniti in Japan!

Infiniti working on compact model

According to Autocar, Infiniti's compact car project is well under way and it will previewed as a concept at the upcoming Geneva motor show. The car could then be revealed in production form next autumn, at either the Frankfurt or Tokyo motor show.

It’s likely to be based on a front-drive platform sourced from the next-gen A-class as part of a tie-up between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan alliance. A model like that is essential for Infiniti's lineup in order to boost sales in Europe.

Infiniti will also get a fully electric model based on the Nissan Leaf. The car will be launched in 2013 and it will come to the U.S. market.

Minor updates for Nissan Skyline Coupe and Crossover

Nissan has updated in Japan the Skyline Coupe (aka Infiniti G Coupe) and the Skyline Crossover (aka Infiniti EX). The changes are minor and for the Skyline Coupe (earlier post) include a different front bumper, with a sportier design, and a new alloy wheel design. Also, two new colours have been added, a shining blue (シャイニングブルー) and a dark metal grey (ダークメタルグレー), with the total number of available exterior colours now being seven.

In terms of the updates for the Skyline Crossover, those are limited only to the exterior colour selection, where the dark metal grey has been added and also, a ceramic blue (セラミックブルー) and a framboise red (フランボワーズレッド) are also available. The total number of exterior colours has now gone up to six.

New Infiniti G (Skyline) Coupe coming...!

If you think that Japanese automakers are only focused on green cars, then think again. The Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) will expand and one of the first steps will be the introduction of the new Infiniti G Coupe (known as Skyline Coupe in Japan).

[Source: Best Car magazine]