Thursday 9th April 2009

Infiniti Cancel Flagship Model

Nissan GT-R engined performance car canned

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Infiniti Essence concept

Nissan’s sub-brand Infiniti has cancelled plans to build a new flagship model powered by the Nissan GT-R’s V6 engine.

The new flagship car was to use the GT-R’s all-wheel-drive system and powerful 478bhp engine, and although designer’s confirmed the dramatic Essence concept from the Geneva motor show was unlikely to make production, a new performance coupe or saloon model was on the drawing boards.

During the show company bosses expressed their desire to produce a ‘halo’ car for the Infiniti range, with a ‘performance hybrid’ powertrain one possible option. The Essence concept used a twin-turbocharged 3.7-litre petrol V6 in addition to a powerful electric motor to produce a combined output of 600bhp.

However, speaking to reporters in the US, Nissan's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Brian Carolin, confirmed that a production of a new range-topping vehicle had been suspended. “It's fair to say that there's nothing in the product plan for a flagship right now. It's just not a priority in today's climate,” he said.

[Martin_ST]

Looks like a Maserati Granturismo?

[PhantomPH]

Now that is a good looking vehicle.

Cannot believe that vehicles like the Lagonda Jade Goody Edition are able to find funding, yet a seriously sexy piece of metal like that above gets canned.

A real shame.

It's a slippery slope. How long before ferrari/porsche/etc stop producing flagship cars, because of either the financial or natural climate?

[[AJ]]

Martin_ST said:

Looks like a Maserati Granturismo?

With a wax body kit that melted in the sun!

[va1o]

Are Infiniti actually making any sales in the UK? I can't find them on the SMMT data for last month.

[Baked_bean]

Another good looking and potentially interesting car gets canned....

[bobbylondonuk]

va1o said:

Are Infiniti actually making any sales in the UK? I can't find them on the SMMT data for last month.

They are due to launch in EU this year/next.
pretty decent car lineup to compete with ze germans!

[va1o]

bobbylondonuk said:

va1o said:

Are Infiniti actually making any sales in the UK? I can't find them on the SMMT data for last month.

They are due to launch in EU this year/next.
pretty decent car lineup to compete with ze germans!

Oh right that makes sense, thought they had already launched for some reason.

Still I doubt they will do well. Will probably go the same way as Cadillac etc in the UK. The closest competitor for Infiniti is Lexus, and they certainly don't do very well at all compared to BMW & Mercedes et al.

[350GT]

Consider the coupe to be a bit more of a 'luxury' 350Z. The sedan is the coupe with 4 door, yet oddly lighter, and slightly faster than the couoe

[hahithestevieboy]

bit off topic but I would have thought that the GTR would be absolutely ripe for a coach-built version by the likes of pinninfarina / zagato / etc, I mean that car without the tacky japanese body and image would be something seriously special...

[350GT]

hahithestevieboy said:

bit off topic but I would have thought that the GTR would be absolutely ripe for a coach-built version by the likes of pinninfarina / zagato / etc, I mean that car without the tacky japanese body and image would be something seriously special...

if image was such in issue people would still say "yeah, but it;s just a GTR underneath"... Of course people with image issues like that just need to be ignored for the ignoramuses they actually are.

[Belfast Boy]

Shame, as it was an Infiniti that was not bad looking.

[Warick Hunt]

Its an impressive looking car, not sure about that odd looking 'fin' that runs down the side just below the window line.
3.7-litre petrol V6 and a powerfull electric motor, why? it seems an odd concept for a performance car.

[hahithestevieboy]

350GT said:

hahithestevieboy said:

bit off topic but I would have thought that the GTR would be absolutely ripe for a coach-built version by the likes of pinninfarina / zagato / etc, I mean that car without the tacky japanese body and image would be something seriously special...

if image was such in issue people would still say "yeah, but it;s just a GTR underneath"... Of course people with image issues like that just need to be ignored for the ignoramuses they actually are.

Was that a sly dig?

[350GT]

hahithestevieboy said:

350GT said:

hahithestevieboy said:

bit off topic but I would have thought that the GTR would be absolutely ripe for a coach-built version by the likes of pinninfarina / zagato / etc, I mean that car without the tacky japanese body and image would be something seriously special...

if image was such in issue people would still say "yeah, but it;s just a GTR underneath"... Of course people with image issues like that just need to be ignored for the ignoramuses they actually are.

Was that a sly dig?

A dig? Nooo.. That is far too low for me.

[Pow!]

Heres an early sketch of the infiniti



and heres one in a more natural light

[sl55amg]

Pow! said:

Heres an early sketch of the infiniti



and heres one in a more natural light

[Mark-2]

Looks more like a 599 to me

[Pow!]

sl55amg said:

Pow! said:

Heres an early sketch of the infiniti



and heres one in a more natural light

I know its hard to tell but this infiniti doesn not look like a maser gt whatsoever

[350GT]

You're right.. It is hard to tell. Looks like a big RX8 to me.

[ROCKY VIAZZANI]

Damn sexy vehicle...

They'll bring it back I'm sure.

And I'll have one.