Infinti's Essence, created to celebrate the Japanese marque's 20th anniversary is also a concept car designed specifically to show off Infinti's next-generation design language and advanced powertrain and safety technology. In the case of the Essence's hybrid powertrain -- a 434-hp 3.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and a 158-hp electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries -- it should be seen in some form in upcoming production models.
Surrounding the mechanical bits is sheetmetal that is an attractive evolution of the current G37, but shown off on a larger vehicle that comes in at 185.8 in. long, 77.2 in. wide, 51.6 in. tall and rides on a 110.2-in. wheelbase. Characterized by a large grille, bulging fenders and quarter panels, and 20-in. wheels, the Essence possesses an aggressive and menacing stance.
Inside is a driver-centric cockpit and room for two, with each occupant receiving a different interior color scheme -- the driver's side of the cabin is black and the passenger's is red. Both sides of the cabin are upholstered with Alcantara, leather, and hand-painted wood. In the back is a set of Louis Vuitton luggage designed specifically for the Essence.
Lastly, the Essence features two new safety technologies that will undoubtedly be offered in its production cars before long: Side Collision Prevention and Back-Up Collision Prevention. The first system aims to prevent a side-impact collision that can occur during merging by applying force to individual brakes to create a yaw in the opposite direction if it senses a vehicle in the next lane while the second will first warn the driver and then apply the brakes by itself if it detects an object behind the car during backing up.
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