Edmund’s Inside Line editor Brian Moody was fortunate enough to be there when Infiniti cracked open the casket containing their Essence Concept car when it arrived at the world’s greatest car show, Pebble Beach. It’s always interesting to see how these million dollar rides are packaged for their long distance travel. The Essence concept debuted this past March in Geneva showcasing the luxury brand’s forward thinking combination of turbochargers and electric motors to create a super car that has almost 600 HP and can run as a zero emissions vehicle.

What sets the Essence apart from most concept cars is that it is a true automobile, able to run completely under its own power. The hybrid system combines a boosted gas burning internal combustion V6 with a pair of electric motors to create a true 21st century luxury super car. Quite possibly a hint at a future iteration of an Infiniti GT-R with its with its bold body lines and over the top accessories like Louis Vuitton luggage.

The luxury arm of the Nissan Motor Company also gave the world a preview of the new BMW 5-Series competitor when they showed off the redesigned 2011 Infiniti M which should make for an interesting addition to the segment in a few years. If the Japanese engineers can figure out a way to stuff some of that turbo VQ/electric motor technology under the hood by the time it hits showrooms, M5 watch out!

Video: The Infiniti Essence arrives at Pebble Beach originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 14:00 EST.

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Top Speed has already reported that the Essence Concept, revealed in Geneva, is a big step forward for Infiniti. The future car not only revealed the company’s upcoming design theme, but their technological advancements as well.

The concept car is powered by a 592 HP gas-electric hybrid engine. The 3.7 liter V6 engine will find its way into the upcoming redesigned M sedan due in early 2010 where the power plant where it will develop between 340-350 HP without the help of the turbochargers. The same direct-injection technology from the concept will then be used in both the sedan and coupe versions of the G. Direct injection engines introduce the combustible mist directly into the combustion chamber instead of the intake manifold like traditional fuel injection. The benefits of direct injection is that a more precise amount of fuel in sprayed, meaning less waste and more power, it is a solution with zero drawbacks.

Parent company Nissan wants to streamline production and drop the three different V8s currently offered in favor of a single eight cylinder power plant that will go under the hoods of both Infiniti cars and trucks. In order to accomplish this the Japanese luxury automaker is currently preparing a V8 engine with direct-injection technology.

The future of the Infiniti Q is uncertain. Infiniti dealers from around the world were invited to Japan to preview a concept version of the Q and were amazed by what looked like a four door version of the Essence Concept. Nissan would like to have a luxury car that can compete with upscale models from Lexus, BMW, and Audi. However Infiniti is interested in seeing how the economic situation pans out before diving headfirst into the venture.

Infiniti advancing with Direct Injection originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 20 March 2009 19:00 EST.

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We already saw the unveiling of Infiniti’s Essence concept earlier this week, and now the Automotive News is reporting it may be more than just a pipe dream. While the Essence is not likely to see the light of day, it is a preview of Infiniti’s future design and engineering philosophies. So that means we may start to see elements of the curvy lines and 592 hp gas-electric hybrid engine on future Infinity cars and SUVs. This could be realized as soon as 2010 when the new M sedan debuts.

Infiniti Essence concept is the preview of future hybrids originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 6 March 2009 14:05 EST.

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Essence, the concept revealed by Infiniti today at the Geneva Motor Show was created to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary, but also to give an idea of the brand’s future.

Designed in cooperation with Louis Vuitton, the Essence is a RWD model, featuring a dramatic design, technology and performance statement: it is powered by a 592 hp petrol-electric hybrid engine.

The hybrid system - a zero-emissions one - combines a petrol engine with an electric motor. These can work independently or together as a “parallel” hybrid system. When the traffic clears, Essence responds with a highway performance that few cars could match. In “power assist” mode the full 592 hp is unleashed with both petrol and electric power working together.

A key difference over some other hybrid systems is that both the V6 and the electric motor feed their power only to the rear wheels. Performance is more linear, response is crisper – and driving pleasure further enhanced – as a result.

The petrol engine, a 3.7-litre V6 gasoline engine is fitted with twin turbochargers and delivers 434 hp, while the electric motor, called 3D Motor delivers 158 hp.

Full details in the press release after the jump.

Infiniti Essence originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 3 March 2009 07:20 EST.

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Infiniti has just entered the European market. So while its a respected brand in North America, it has some catching up to do on the other side of the Atlantic. That’s why Nissan’s premium brand has teamed up with a fashion icon to head to Geneva and convince Europe that it is a top tier brand.

We don’t have any great details on the car Infiniti will bring to the auto show on March 3rd. All we know right now is than it will be called "Essence", and it will have custom baggage made by Louis Vuitton.

Yeah, we don’t find luggage all the interesting either. If it wasn’t for the curvy teaser photo that Infiniti revealed, we may have even skipped the story. Will Infiniti make an interesting enough car that we’ll be willing to blog about luggage again? Find out next month.

Press release after the jump.

Infiniti Essence to debut at Geneva Motor Show originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 17 February 2009 15:00 EST.

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