Infiniti is still keeping to teasing its advanced sports car concept that’s set to debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The first two partials of the car in November have now been joined by another, and behind-the-scenes info videos have also come about.

The company says the as-yet-unnamed concept will be the first Infiniti to have a range-extender drivetrain, and willl also be the first to feature a midship mounted drivetrain for optimal weight distribution and handling.

Going the midship route means facilitating a change in vocabulary for the company’s design language, from a style and content point of view. The purpose of the Geneva concept then is to explore what might be the next stage in how to deliver a vivid, engaging and sophisticated driving experience from an electrically-propelled vehicle – Infiniti believes the midship mechanical layout could very well be a vital ingredient in making that magic happen.

Infiniti has revealed the first two teaser images of what it calls a highly advanced, range-extending electric sports car concept, which it will unveil in Geneva next March.

The basis of its creation, Infiniti says, is to extend the potential for high performance, low emission electric cars, but the company isn’t saying anything else beyond that, so looks like it’ll have to wait until it gets closer to the Swiss show for more details on the new offering to come about.

Nissan says it will begin manufacturing Infiniti-brand vehicles in China as early as next year, according to a report, and in doing so, it will become the first Japanese automaker to produce luxury cars there. A Hubei Province factory owned by Nissan joint venture Dongfeng Motor is being considered as a candidate site for the plant.

The company is looking to take Infiniti, which sold about 146,000 units globally in 2010, to a new level in the next five years – it hopes to shift more than 500,000 units by 2016. By then, China will likely become the number one market for Infiniti, surpassing the US.

The brand is also locating its new global headquarters in Hong Kong; the new corporate facility is slated to begin operations in April next year. With the brand’s growth strategy expected to be driven partly by demand in China and other fast-growing Asian markets, it says that everything will be served more effectively by consolidating its global downstream functions in Hong Kong.

About 100 staff, currently handling market research, sales strategies and A&P, and located in Japan, the US and Europe, will be integrated in Hong Kong when the office opens. Nissan says it is also looking at gradually shifting product planning there, to reflect local preferences in its products.

Along with this transfer, the report adds that Nissan will abandon its practice of making all of its luxury vehicles in Japan. Infiniti vehicles are currently manufactured at plants in Tochigi and Fukuoka prefectures, with a combined capacity at slightly more than 200,000 units. Nissan says it will maintain its domestic capacity, but is set to launch overseas production to keep up with a growing demand.

You are looking at the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel version, said to be designed by, and built for, the reigning Formula 1 world champion. It will make its debut in concept form at the upcoming Frankfurt show, and will be revealed by none other than Vettel himself, who is also Infiniti Global Brand Ambassador.

The Vettel-badged FX is the lightest, fastest and most aerodynamic FX yet, “reflecting the World Champion’s desire for a 300 km/h Crossover that he can drive on his home country’s derestricted Autobahn,” according to Infiniti.

Based on the recently facelifted range topping V8-powered FX50S Premium, the FX Sebastian Vettel features changes to engine, suspension and body, with key aerodynamic enhancements implemented with input from Red Bull Racing. The one-off model also has an interior personalised to Seb’s taste.

More pics after the jump.
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We’ve had few rounds of teasers already, so here’s the full monty. The Infiniti JX Concept has been revealed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance by Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura. While it looks like one, this is not the production version – that one will debut at the LA show at the end of this year.

“The JX Concept advances the Infiniti design language, sharing design cues of the Infiniti Essence concept, yet interprets those elements in ways suitable to the needs of a family luxury crossover.

“From the dramatic front grille and headlight design to the crescent-cut D-pillar and greenhouse shape, the JX Concept shines as a fresh, bold alternative to the many flavors of vanilla currently dominating the three-row luxury crossover segment,” Nakamura san beamed.

The JX is a three-row seven-seater SUV slotting between Infiniti’s sporty FX crossover and the jumbo QX. Nissan’s luxury brand says that the production JX will offer class-leading roominess and “exceptionally easy” third row access.

“With the JX, you will even be able to leave a child seat latched to the second row while getting in or out of the third row – just one example of the vehicle’s inspired flexibility and versatility. The third row isn’t the typical penalty box either, with adult-sized room for all occupants and five-and-a-half inches of second row forward-back adjustability,” said Infiniti Americas VP Ben Poore.

It will be V6 powered, with a choice of FWD or AWD. The transmission will be a “sport tuned” CVT that mimics a stepped transmission when Sport mode is engaged. Specs and details will come later.

Feature wise, the JX will debut Backup Collision Intervention. With BCI, when the transmission is in reverse, the JX will help the driver detect crossing objects behind the vehicle and will automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision, if necessary. Sounds like Volvo’s Pedestrian Detection system in the S60, but for the rear.

Other niceties include a 14-speaker Bose Studio Surround sound system with Waveguide bass tech, Infiniti Connection Telematics system that can automatically synch the owner’s calendar and provide navigation guidance to appointments, as well as Infiniti Personal Assistant, the new personal concierge service with 24-hour access to a live team of professional assistants.

More pics after the jump.
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Infiniti has released the sixth (and we presume final) teaser image of its upcoming JX Concept, which will be fully unveiled three days from now at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It shows the front grill and headlamps.

The pic before this was a full shot of the rear, which is in line with the Infiniti look seen on the just facelifted FX. Previous images show partially the front three quarter view, revealing the headlights and profile lines. Another shows a distinctive kink at the D-pillar area. We’ve also seen a close up shot of the LED tail lamps.

The JX, which slots in between the five seater FX and jumbo sized QX, is set for production and will join the Infiniti range in Spring 2012. The production car will debut at the LA show at the end of this year.

Nissan’s luxury marque promises “a stunning interior” with “exceptional seating flexibility, easy access to the roomy third row, plus the latest in-vehicle technology – including next-generation telematics”. View the other pieces of the jigsaw puzzle after the jump.
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This is the fifth teaser image released by Infiniti of its upcoming luxury crossover. A seven seater called the JX Concept, it will be unveiled at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18.

Previous images show partially the front three quarter view, revealing the long headlights and profile lines. Another shows a distinctive kink at the D-pillar area. We’ve also seen a close up shot of the LED tail lamps. This latest pic fully shows the JX’s rear end, which is in line with the Infiniti look seen on the FX, which has just been facelifted.

More than just a concept, the JX, which slots in between the five seater FX and jumbo sized QX, is set for production and will join the Infiniti range in Spring 2012. The production car will debut at the LA show at the end of this year.

Nissan’s luxury marque promises “a stunning interior” with “exceptional seating flexibility, easy access to the roomy third row, plus the latest in-vehicle technology – including next-generation telematics”.

View the previously released teasers after the jump.
[Read more...]