Infiniti Etherea Concept

Infiniti Etherea Concept

Infiniti Etherea Concept

Ladies and gentleman, meet the new sort of compact luxury, one that is meant specifically for younger buyers looking for something very different, efficient, modern, and athletic. Such is the definition given by Infiniti product planners, and the brand’s all-new Etherea concept fits this bill to the T.
“Etherea is about a new type of luxury,” said Toru Saito, Infiniti’s global business unit leader, in a prepared statement. “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.”
These younger buyers are quite conflicted, it seems. For instance, the Etherea is not one type of vehicle; rather, it is a melding of bits from just about everything. It has a sedan’s space, a coupe’s styling, a hatchback’s utility, and a crossover’s height.
Without a B-pillar, the four-seat platform feels more spacious, designers say. Rear-hinged “suicide doors” aid in the feeling as well. The kinked C-pillar is heavily influenced by the Essence concept.
Up front, designers included distinct slanted headlights that incorporate LED daytime running lights. Designers are quick to point out that the headlight’s design will be a mainstay on future Infiniti models. There is also the traditional high hood line and deep grille that now illuminates. The A-pillar has a window that eases forward visibility and adds a touch of uniqueness.
Unlike some sports cars that focus front passenger controls towards the driver, the Etherea shares luxury and sport with all inside. Twin touch screens display car information, climate control, and stereo functions. A flat floor improves occupant comfort. Designers included a number of new interior finishes like kimono-inspired seat piping (called Kumihimo in Japanese), vertical strips on doors (Inuyarai), and a parchment paper-like material (Washi).
A gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain based on the system used in the M35h sedan powers the concept. Instead of a VQ-series V-6, however, a 242-horsepower supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder gives the Etherea most of its grunt, while a quick response electric motor provides extra power during acceleration and city driving. Everything is directed to the front wheels – a first time for the brand – via a continuously variable transmission.
Underpinning the new chassis is an independent suspension with electric/hydraulic steering and regenerative braking (much like in the M35h). Officials haven’t indicated if they will share most of the model’s components with parent conglomerate Renault-Nissan and new partner Mercedes-Benz, but we wouldn’t be surprised if other offspring arrive soon.

Infiniti Etherea Concept

Infiniti Etherea Concept

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini has always been known for building hairy-chest-pounding, unapologetic supercars. The kind of cars that make enthusiasts tingle and environmentalists draw on posterboard with big black markers. It was a bit of a shock when Lamborghini recently announced an initiative to increase the efficiency of its Raging Bulls, and fans of Sant' Agata's creations cringed at the thought of smaller, less-powerful cars. Well, they can put their fears to rest, because the new Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador is as monstrous as any Lambo in history -- and it's more efficient to boot.
The Aventador follows the traditions of the Countach, first produced in 1974. The body is sculpted around the passenger compartment, with the longitudinally mounted 6.5-liter 690-horsepower naturally aspirated V-12 situated in the middle. The look is modern and aerodynamic, but still purely Lamborghini. Driver and passenger enter through scissor doors and the optional clear engine cover allows owners to show off the heart of the beast. The roofline is sculpted to allow for maximum headroom for passengers while tying in the character lines on the hood and minimizing the aerodynamic frontal area. Mechanically operated side intakes are carried over from the Murcielago, allowing air flow to be adjusted based on the engine's current needs.
6.5-Liter 12-Piston Heart
The clean sheet, aluminum block V-12 features direct injection, variable valve timing, four individual throttle bodies, dry sump lubrication, and an 11.8:1 compression ratio. The big engine has a screaming high 8250 RPM redline accomplished using lightweight internal components and a high bore-to-stroke ratio of 95mm and 76.4mm respectively. Maximum piston speeds have been reduced from almost 24 m/s at 8000 RPM, the Murcielago's redline, compared to 21 m/s at 8250 RPM at the Aventador's redline, resulting in fewer frictional losses. It also uses a new dry sump lubrication system that requires less power, provides better oil scavenging under high cornering loads, and decreases the size of the oil pan. The new system also allows the 518-pound engine to sit 2.36 inches lower in the car, reducing the center of gravity height.

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Land Rover Range_e Concept

Land Rover Range_e Concept

Land Rover Range_e Concept

While the Land Rover Range_e development vehicle being displayed at the 2011 Geneva auto show isn't quite ready for prime time, the vehicle is serving a vital role as a test bed for a potential future Land Rover plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The test vehicle -- based off a Range Rover Sport -- is fitted with Land Rover's latest 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 and an electric motor, which is hooked up with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Precise specifications are still under wraps, but the company does say the Range_e has an EV-only range of 20 miles. When combined with the diesel engine, the vehicle can travel an impressive 691 miles before replenishing both the fuel tank and battery pack.
The Range_e heading to Geneva is one of several working prototypes used by the company for PHEV development. Land Rover hasn't officially confirmed a version for production, but we wouldn't be surprised if a similar system eventually works its way into future Land Rover and Range Rover models

Land Rover Range_e Concept

Land Rover Range_e Concept