Infiniti cars

Photos surface of the 2012 Infiniti EMERG-E Concept

Photos of the electric 2012 Infiniti EMERG-E Concept have finally been released, or should we say leaked? Most of us weren’t very impressed with the patent renderings of the car that were released earlier this month, but these new photos show just how sexy this car really is!

Not a whole lot is known about this mid-engine sports car, but we do know that it will be electric powered with a 1.2L internal combustion range extender. Infiniti says that their main goal is to create an "uncompromising" electric sports car that will offer "vivid performance" with zero emissions capability.

Infiniti Vice President, Andy Palmer, says that the car will be the first to highlight Infiniti’s new styling direction. They’re definitely headed in the right direction, because this car looks better than some super cars we’ve seen. Whether the EMERG-E will be rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is, for now, only known by the engineers and executives at Infiniti.

The electric Infiniti EMERG-E concept will make it’s official debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in early March. Until then, leave your comments below and let us know what you think of it.

Infiniti considering GT-R based halo car

This isn’t the first time we hear about a possible Infiniti GT-R model. In fact, this rumor took root as soon as the Nissan GT-R was launched back in 2008, and has resurfaced numerous times since then. Now, it’s making another appearance. According to British magazine CAR, Infiniti may offer a GT-R version after all, hinted by Francois Bancon, Head of Advanced Planning for Infiniti in Tokyo. He stated that the GT-R platform is too good to use for only one model. In fact, he said that the company is taking under consideration ’three or four’ proposals and that an Infiniti GT-R is one of them.

If the decision does lie with the Infiniti GT-R, it would need to counteract the Nissan GT-R’s power with sophistication: "It would have to be softer than the GT-R. And that’s extremely difficult to do. You can’t easily tweak the GT-R to deliver the sophisticated, more refined performance we would need on an Infiniti."

A final decision on the Infiniti GT-R will be made in the next two or three years and, if chosen, a production version should arrive in the next five years.

Video: Infiniti M35h improves record acceleration time; stakes claim as fastest hybrid in the world

Hybrid vehicles aren’t generally looked at as fast machines capable of break-neck speeds. In truth, hybrids aren’t even marketed as such. Their true calling card is the promise of better fuel economy and improved CO2 emission ratings.

Unless of course you can find a way to marry all three elements the way Infiniti managed to do with the new M35h. Nissan’s luxury division has released a video of their new M35h sedan taking on the equally irrepressible 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.

Not one to back down from a German challenge for full-on hybrid supremacy, the M35h and the Panamera S Hybrid engaged in a quarter-mile drag race - with surprising results.

Not only did the 360-horsepower M35h complete its time in just 13.4 seconds - impressive for a hybrid! - but it also managed to spank the Panamera S Hybrid by a good second. On top of that, the time is also a marked improvement from their previous record time of 13.9031 seconds, eclipsing the Guinness World Record by a tidy half-a-second.

Check out the video and watch the Infiniti M35h show up the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.

UPDATE 02/13/12: Infiniti has released a behind-the-scenes look at all the preparation work, setup, and equipment involved in filming the video showing the M35h’s record-breaking acceleration time. It sure looked like it took a lot of complicated equipment just to shoot a video on how the M35h became the fastest accelerating hybrid in the world. Check out how the magic unfolded after the jump!

Infiniti bringing sports car concept to Geneva

It’s easy to get caught up in the hoopla surrounding the 2012 North American International Auto Show, but that doesn’t mean that we’re closing our eyes and ears to everything else going on in the automotive world. Especially when it comes to the Geneva Motor Show this March.

One automaker that’s looking to kick-start some buzz is Infiniti. Nissan’s luxury brand has officially released the first teaser image of a new electric sports car concept that’s going to break cover in Geneva.

Details are limited at this point, although we’ve been told that the car will carry a mid-mounted powertrain that will provide weight distribution and handling for the extended range vehicle. According to Infiniti, the still-to-be-named concept car will be an electrically-propelled vehicle that will make for a "vivid, engaging and sophisticated driving experience" for drivers everywhere.

It’s been no secret that Nissan is looking into bringing a new electric car in the US for some time now. This concept car could very well be the precursor to that car, and if we do say so ourselves, we’re looking forward to seeing what Infiniti has up its sleeve when the covers are pulled on this concept car at the Geneva Motor Show.

2013 Infiniti JX

After displaying the JX Concept at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Infiniti has finalized the ideas behind the SUV with a production version unveiled at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The new crossover will be offered in two models - the Infiniti JX35 FWD and Infiniti JX35 AWD - and will go on sale in the spring of 2012 at a starting price of $40,450 and $41,550 respectively.

The 2013 Infiniti JX has received emotive styling and craftsmanship, featuring the new Infiniti design language direction initiated with the Essence concept. It utilizes a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 265 HP at 6,400 rpm and 248 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine is mated to a sport-tuned Continuously Variable Transmission to provide high responsiveness and seamless, efficient shifting feel.

One new technological feature that stands out from the rest is the Backup Collision Intervention system. This new system warns the driver if another vehicle is entering his path and, if needed, can even apply the brakes to help avoide the collision if the driver does not properly react in time.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Infiniti JX.

Infiniti gives green light on production of FX Sebastian Vettel Edition

Infiniti has officially given the go-signal to produce the FX Sebastian Vettel Edition SUV. The announcement was made by Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, stating that the successful relationship between Infiniti and Red Bull Racing was one of the key factors in green lighting the production of the special edition SUV on a limited basis.

In the interview, Palmer said that the collaboration between Infiniti and the now two-time F1 World Champion was not only fun for everybody, but it also brought into light the capabilities of the Infiniti Performance Line as a potential competitor for the likes of Mercedes’ AMG class and BMW’s M-Series.

"This is one of the first versions that will go to market," Palmer said.

"It’s not as an IPL—it’ll obviously go as the Sebastian Vettel special version, but it demonstrates we’re able to do these low volume, very special versions and be able to charge a premium for that kind of work. Again, hopefully, with Sebastian now the world champion, the demand for his special version is going to be that much higher," he added.

Nissan, Infiniti’s parent company, released a segment of the interview with Palmer, which you can watch by checking out the video above.

2011 Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Concept

Leading up to the Frankfurt Motor Show, there were a few concepts that we were really looking forward to seeing, one of them being the Infiniti Sebastian Vettel Edition.

Quite frankly, we knew very little about the car other than the fact that it was a concept Infiniti FX. Well, Frankfurt has come and gone, and if we do say so ourselves, the FX Sebastian Vettel Concept completely blew us away.

It’s not just that it’s one of the few cars on the market that has been designed and built with Formula One knowledge, but Infiniti and Red Bull took all that information and put it into an SUV that’s looking to blow away the rest of the field.

In the decision to build the FX Sebastian Vettel Concept, the Japanese automaker wanted more than just Vettel’s input; they wanted him to have significant say on what the car will be built on. That meant a premium on performance and improved downforce, as well as being stylishly sexy.

In the end, the result was even better than any of us even anticipated.

UPDATE 10/11/2011: Infiniti has officially given the go-signal to produce the FX Sebastian Vettel Edition SUV. The announcement was made by Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, stating that the successful relationship between Infiniti and Red Bull Racing was one of the key factors in green lighting the production of the special edition SUV on a limited basis.

In the interview, Palmer said that the collaboration between Infiniti and the now two-time F1 World Champion was not only fun for everybody, but it also brought into light the capabilities of the Infiniti Performance Line as a potential competitor for the likes of Mercedes’ AMG class and BMW’s M-Series.

Nissan, Infiniti’s parent company, released a segment of the interview with Palmer, which you can watch by clicking on the photo above.

UPDATE 05/13/12: Infiniti has officially announced pricing details for the FX Sebastian Vettel Edition. Check out how much it’s going to cost after the jump

UPDATE 10/28/12: Evo Magazine takes a turn putting the paces on the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Concept. How did they take to the ultra special edition SUV? Hop on over after the jump and find out!

UPDATE 11/15/12: Infiniti is dropping a nice surprise for all of us with a new batch of photos of their uber-luxurious, special edition FX Sebastian Vettel Edition SUV. Check out the gallery to find all the photos, all 50+ of em. Find out more about the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Concept after the jump.

Infiniti M35h Hybrid earns record for fastest accelerating full hybrid

Infinitis and world records aren’t usually associated with one another, but all that has changed with one swooping quarter-mile run from the Infiniti M35h.

Recently, the Japanese luxury sedan took a blistering lap time at the Santa Pod drag strip, setting a world record time of 13.9031 seconds in a quarter-mile with a passing speed in excess of 100 mph. The 373-horsepower luxury sedan was driven by CAR Magazine journalist, Tim Pollard, etching his name in Guinness lore as the driver of the world’s fastest accelerating full hybrid vehicle.

The M35h may not belong in the conversation of being one of the fastest machines on the planet, but as far as full hybrids are concerned, it can now stake a serious claim as being on top of that list. The M35h is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 305 horsepower with an electric motor that adds 68 horsepower, hitting a total output of 373 horsepower with an 0-62 mph acceleration time of 5.5 seconds.

“The Infiniti M35h proves that hybrids can be fast as well as frugal,” said Pollard.

“At Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from the standstill – the car just leapt of the line."

Congratulations to Infiniti for their record-breaking attempt. Here’s to more records being broken by the Japanese automaker in the future.

Hit the jump to watch the record lap video courtesy of Car Magazine.

Limited Edition BR02-8 Infiniti watch

Infiniti in cooperation with Swiss specialist time instrument maker Bell & Ross has unveiled the limited edition BR02-8 Infiniti Carbon Case Purple 8 Pro Dial wristwatch. There will be only 200 units built, each carrying a price tag of £3,090, about $5,000 at the current exchange rates.

The watch features a matte black dial and sports a photo-luminescent finish in the same distinct purple color employed by Infiniti across the globe. The steel case will be engraved with the Infiniti signature.

Also, you should be feeling very lucky while wearing this watch as it feature the number "8" - a symbol of luck in Asia and of course the mathematical sign of infinity.

Andy Palmer, Infiniti’s Executive Vice President said: "The Limited Edition BR02-8 Infiniti Carbon Case Purple 8 Pro Dial wristwatch is a true celebration of our continued association with Bell & Ross, for which we are very proud. The new timepiece effortlessly embodies the unique qualities of both brands to offer discerning customers a rare and highly sought-after addition to their collection."

2011 Infiniti JX Concept

Infiniti is preparing to enter a new market segment with the launch of the JX crossover, a 7-seater luxury model. The vehicle officially made its official debut at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with the production version scheduled to be revealed in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. That being said, the vehicle won’t be going on sale until Spring 2012 as a 2013 model.

Like we said before, Infiniti hasn’t dished out any extravagant details for their new SUV model, but they have confirmed that the JX will have three rows of seats with room for seven passengers. The crossover’s exterior design will follow along the lines of the Infiniti Essence Concept revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and the interior will feature the next generation of Infiniti’s telematics and infotainment technology.

"There aren’t a lot of choices for luxury families today. The all-new Infiniti JX is the 7-passenger antidote to the ho-hum luxury crossovers that are out there right now," said Ben Poore, vice president of Infiniti Americas.

Find out more about the Infiniti JX Concept after the jump