Infiniti ESSENCE Concept WOWs In Monterey

Infiniti not only showed the world a glimpse of the upcoming M sedan but it also decided to drop jaws in Monterey with the Essence concept.  Bearing entirely new design cues, it certainly is a looker.

With an in-your-face grille and a sensual side profile, there is not a lot about the Essence to dislike.  LEDs find themselves home in the headlights and taillights, but most interestingly in the front grille's emblem.  And, if that was not enough, get a look at the intsrument cluster on this beast!  Looking as though it has taken inspiration between Aston Martin and Lamborghini's Reventon, it is a juxtaposition of metals and bright screens.  The execution is bar none and looks as though it is a fancy German or Swiss watch -- IWC anyone?

Elsewhere in the interior, the Essence bears a bespoke look to it that puts every other Nissan/Infiniti creation to shame.  Although the GT-R is one of the quickest vehicles on the planet, its interior cannot hold a candle to this.  The Essence has a flat-bottomed steering wheel, plenty of alcantara, aluminum and large paddle shifters.

After getting a gander at this new concept from Infiniti, only two questions remain:

1) Why didn't the M look more like this?

2) Will the upcoming G take some of this design language and implement it in a smaller, tighter package?  If I was a betting man, I would say something becomes inheirited. 


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DaHarder - 8/16/2009 3:42:38 AM

+14 Boost

Goodness... That thing's Gorgeous!

achiles - 8/16/2009 4:02:46 AM

-5 Boost

The outside looks great, but the interior does not look like something that would make it to production, specially that cluster (cheap 12 inch autozone led light comes to mind). A lcd with an info screen presented in 32 bit colors and just of those retro watch rpm gauges would be better.
The rims do look heavy and out of place, but the lights (front and back) look exquisite. A presentation with a white or blue would validate this as a possible production car.

I will admit the interior ergonomics of the car are great but it does not look confortable at all, very much like the gtr. Fast beast but unconfortable seats.

dhkss2002 - 8/16/2009 5:56:13 AM

+8 Boost

Wow! Beatutiful inside and out.

downtoearth - 8/16/2009 6:16:30 AM

-7 Boost

I think they should make this car relatively "affordable". There is honestly no point in one more brilliantly looking machine that remains completely exotic and most people will always see it in posters or computer wallpapers.

A modern V6, maybe even a turbocharged inline I4 under the bonnet would make it quick enough and priced for human beings.

M53R - 8/16/2009 6:41:57 AM

+9 Boost

I love this car. It looks amazing.

PerformanceGuy - 8/16/2009 9:58:44 AM

+5 Boost

This car looks absolutely amazing. Please make this car Infiniti.

Bill - 8/16/2009 10:03:19 AM

-4 Boost

It's fascinating how the people on this forum think that curvacious design themes are somehow modern, yet at the same time these same people seem to bash the boxier and partly retro-styled designs out there to such an extreme extent. Very interesting indeed.

What exactly makes curvacious design "in" and boxy design "out"?

Personally I don't see the appeal of the Infiniti Essence design language. Pleasing? For sure. Beautiful? Not really from my point of view. I've never associated Japanese cars with curvacious lines in the first place, and the few Japanese cars that have had this type of design were, guess what, designed by Europeans (for the most part). The Toyota 2000GT is the perfect example - designed by a German.

Naturally my post will be seen as an attack on Japanese car design and Japan itself by the fanboys who just fail to understand my point and I bet they will have a heck of a time deboosting me. Well, I don't care. Have a nice day.

dhkss2002 - 8/16/2009 12:37:47 PM

+6 Boost

As long as you agree that the Panamera is the product of one too many sniffs of shoe glue Bill.

SSP350 - 8/16/2009 11:45:49 AM

+5 Boost

Bill-
Your message is subliminally very prejudicial. I can understand that the design language of a vehicle can be very subjective but, this Infiniti Essence does scream curvacious at every angle. If you can't seem to associate yourself with that, then, the only thing you can probably associate yourself with is a straight line. Maybe you should check out the Ford Mustang. If you can't see pass the badge and pass fair judgement, maybe you belong on a vehicle specific forum, instead. It's very bold of you to make a statement that you can never associate curvacious with Japanese vehicles when the Essence just oozes that all over the car show floor. Your analogy of a Toyota 2000GT being designed by a German doesn't seem to be irrelevant since the Nissan 240 was and is Japanese designed and looks very similar.

EL34 - 8/16/2009 1:52:50 PM

-6 Boost

I'm sorry, but I just don't get what's so reat looking about a car that looks like a giant catfish Las Vegas slot machine.

This Nissan get's tres duds.

answer - 8/16/2009 2:22:34 PM

+2 Boost

That was my only let-down with the new M concept, that it didn't have the cool 2 place color scheme the Essence has.

I think the black driver's area and tan passenger's area is awesome, why can't it be in a production vehicle?

:(