Infiniti Etherea Concept, hints at production entry-level Infiniti

Infiniti Etherea Concept
Infiniti Etherea Concept

We saw the first couple of images of the Infiniti Etherea Concept earlier last month. Well, the model is finally making its public debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show this week and is attracting a lot of attention as the Japanese luxury automaker plans a production version for the entry-level market.

Infiniti really seems to be counting on a production model of the Etherea to be a big success. Just to throw out some of the quotes from the press release so you get a hint of what we’re talking about:

  • “Etherea is about a new type of luxury,” said Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President and Leader of the Global Infiniti Business Unit. “It is for younger buyers who do not want a smaller version of a typically conservative and traditional luxury car. It is for people who want a car that defines who they are, not who their parents were.”
  • “Etherea is completely different from current luxury compact cars,” said Senior Vice President of Design, Shiro Nakamura. “That is appropriate for a new generation of drivers who think of themselves as different. “As an exploration into what a future entry-level Infiniti may be like, Infiniti Etherea Concept is highly significant and a breakthrough in what Infiniti thinks about itself.”
  • “We think the market – and buyers of compact cars – is ready for a car like this, especially in Europe,” Francois Bancon, General Manager of Exploratory and Advanced Product. “As a vehicle to single out its owner as progressive, self confident and a little off the beaten path, Infiniti Etherea Concept fits very well with what Infiniti is all about.”

Yup, they’re pretty confident about this one.

High-res gallery posted after the jump.

Infiniti Etherea Concept:

Infiniti Etherea Concept

– By: Omar Rana