While it doesn’t get a lot of press, Infiniti has climbed up the luxury ladder to become the fourth largest luxury brand in the U.S. And over the past two years, the company has expanded globally as well.

But with sales just half those of brands like Lexus, BMW and Mercedes, Infiniti is missing something, or perhaps, some things. Exactly what the brand needs to hit that level of success is a halo model, as well as an entry-level luxury car that would serve to introduce buyers to the brand. Or at least that’s the opinion of Nissan North America sales VP Brian Carolin.

While immediate thoughts turn to a more luxurious GT-R, possibly using hybrid technology, along the lines of the Essence Concept, a flagship luxury sedan is also under consideration.

Based on Infiniti’s more sporting pretensions, we have to think the brand’s top model would be a luxury sports car. After all, the Essence has been on tour for two years now visiting local auto shows and it almost always attracts more attention that anything new.

In addition, Carolin admits a smaller luxury model might also be in the pipe, based on a different platform than the G sedan. Past rumors have indicated it would be a front-drive model.

GALLERY: Infiniti Essence Concept

[Source: WardsAuto]

Infiniti hasn’t written-off a halo-model luxury sports car and is still hoping to bring such a vehicle to market. In a recent interview with AutoCar, Infiniti boss Toru Saito admitted as much, but made no confirmation that the Essence Concept could see production. Currently Infiniti has put its branding focus on electric and hybrid vehicles, with the introduction of the M35h at the Paris Auto Show and an announcement that it would build a premium compact electric car based on the Nissan Leaf.

Saito did, however, confirm rumors of a rival to the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 for Europe and it’s not yet clear if such a vehicle would be offered in North America. He also wouldn’t say if the car would be front drive, something that has been suggested as a result of the recent tie-up with Mercedes parent company Daimler. And as much as a front-drive model makes sense, Infiniti is easily the best candidate to build a compelling rival to the rear-drive 1 Series Coupe.

As for the Essence, with the M35h already combining a V6 and an innovative hybrid drive system, it might not be too big of a leap to add in turbocharging and produce a flagship model that’s both a sports car, and a hybrid.

[Source: AutoCar]

With all the rumors that Acura will bring back the RSX, it seems Infiniti might beat them to the punch. According to a new report by AutoCar, Infiniti is planning a new front-drive coupe model. News of a new front-drive model from Nissan’s luxury brand has been around for several months, but this is the first time we’ve heard that it will be a two door.

The new entry-level model is slated to get a coupe profile, although Infiniti wants to give it the practicality of a hatchback – perhaps with some sort of BMW Gran Turismo trunk.

Styling will be inspired by the Essence Concept (above), while driving dynamics are expected to be high, with a source inside the company stating that the MINI brand proved front-drive premium cars with excellent driving characteristics are possible. Power for the new model could come from new gasoline and diesel engines donated by Mercedes as a part of a new partnership between the automakers.

In addition to this new model, Infiniti is also expected to expand its brand with an version of the all-electric Nissan Leaf with added power, improved driving dynamics and an all-new look.

[Source: AutoCar]

Nissan’s next generation of the iconic GT-R may be a hybrid sports car. According to a report in Japan’s Best Car magazine, the R36 GT-R could use a 440-hp gasoline engine mated to a 160-hp electric motor. This would allow the car to output as much as 600-hp in some modes, while attaining impressive fuel economy in another mode.

To us this sounds a lot like the Infiniti Essence Concept (below), which debuted earlier this year at the Geneva Auto Show and has continued to captivate the automotive world since. It is powered by a 440-hp twin-turbo direct-injection 3.7-liter V6 engine and an electric motor to make roughly 600-hp. And just recently Infiniti execs admitted that there is still a possibility that the Essence could make it to dealerships in the future. Perhaps it was an early look at the next GT-R.

[Source: BestCar via Motor Trend]

After previous reports had suggested Infiniti’s stunning Essence concept would never be any more than a shinny piece of auto show metal, word has now emerged that the luxury automaker may turn this fantasy into a reality.

According to a report in Motor Trend, one Infiniti executive, Shiro Nakamura, once again referred to the hybrid supercar as ,” only a showpiece… for now.” This exciting news was then reiterated by another exec, Ben Poore, who said that based off of the car’s incredible reception, the company is still considering a production model and that no final decision either way has been made.

Infiniti has yet to confirm if it will show the car at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but it will be on display at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Canada in February, as well as at the Montreal International Auto Show in January, suggesting that Nissan’s luxury arm continues to probe the market to see if there is a demand. We hope there is!

GALLERY: Infiniti Essence Concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

hile on the subject of product updates, Infiniti’s brass was keen to drop a few more nuggets on us. Among them is a major redesign of the QX56 full-size SUV coming next summer. Poore says it will still be body-on-frame and retain the same towing capacity, but will be almost unrecognizable compared to the current vehicle. Also coming in the relatively near future is a pure electric vehicle, though Poore wouldn’t say much more than that it will be a performance-oriented luxury sedan. Another Infiniti exec, Shiro Nakamura, casually mentioned that the show-stopping Essence concept is “only a showpiece…for now.” Poore tells Motor Trend that reaction to the concept has been phenomenal and that the company is studying the possibility of a production model, but no decision has been made yet.

As promised Infiniti gave a “virtual” preview of the upcoming 2011 M today at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Using state-of-the-art 3D video mapping technology, an image of the new M was projected onto a molded styrofoam shape, revealing the third-generation of the sedan that is both sporting and luxurious.

The new design is a big step for the M as it gets design cues from the Essence Concept that was launched at this year’s Geneva Auto Show.

Infiniti is keeping tight-lipped about most of the details, but we do know that both an M37 and M56 model will be offered. The M37 will use the 3.7-liter V6 as found in the current G37 and make roughly 330hp. As for the M56, as the name suggests it will get a 5.6-liter V8 and deliver in excess of 400hp!

One technology highlight of the car is a new blind spot alert system that will not only detect if there is a vehicle in the next lane over, but it will also then help bring the M back into its lane.

Both models will be available starting in the Spring of 2010 as 2011 models in 32 markets around the world.

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti M37, M56

Official release after the jump:

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While we all wait patiently for Infiniti to bring news that the Essence Concept car, (unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this month), will go in to production, a small part of it is already scheduled for use in upcoming models.

The Essence features a twin-turbocharged direct-injection 3.7-liter V6 and while those turbos aren’t going anywhere, Infiniti has told Car & Driver that the upcoming M37 sedan will get direct injection. This might not sound like much, but the technology should easily boost output to the 350hp range and significantly improve fuel economy – possibly by as much as 20 percent.

Currently the M35 gets 16/20 mpg (city/highway) and with direct injection those numbers could be improved to 18/22 mpg.

The direct-injection V6 is also expected to find it’s way in to the G37 model once it is due for a mid-cycle refresh. And you can be sure the same powerplant will be used in a mid-cycle update for the 370Z.

Infiniti Essence Concept

[Source: Car & Driver]

Oh hell yes!

Rumors abounded before the Geneva Auto Show that the company was bringing a new crossover. Well, for anyone who really wanted YET ANOTHER crossover from the Japanese luxury arm of Nissan we hate to tell you this but… they decided to take the wraps of a 600hp Hybrid Concept car instead. It’s name? The Essence Concept.

We won’t ramble on about the design elements – you can stare at the pictures for that. (Or read the press release below).

Let’s just say it’s achingly beautiful. It does, however, look a lot like the Lexus FL-A – only with classic Infiniti styling.

As for the powerplant, it is made up of Infiniti’s 3.7-liter V6 engine with two turbochargers and direct injection and makes 440hp. An electric motor is also a part of the package. The electric motor is a new innovation from Infiniti, which the company called 3D Motor. Infiniti says it is quite small but makes twice the power of a conventional electric motor. This motor creates 160hp and uses  lithium-ion battery pack in the trunk area to store power.

As to speculation over if this car will ever make it to market, the possibility seems to be there as Infiniti has repeatedly boasted that they intend to take on the entire European market.

GALLERY: Infiniti Essence Concept

Official release after the jump:

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