Bernard Loire
Good morning and welcome to the 82nd Geneva International Motor Show – the fifth time INFINITI has taken a stand here at Palexpo. And my first as part of the INFINITI team.
Yes, it was just five years ago, here in 2008 that we first told Europe what INFINITI means by Inspired Performance. And at every Geneva Show since, we have given you something special.
Last year, for example, we surprised you with our announcement of a partnership with Formula 1 champions, Red Bull Racing.
Can we top that today? Well, having seen what’s under here, I think we just might.
But first, allow me to update you on our business. Because it’s looking good.
We have just celebrated two milestones: the opening of our 20th European market and our 50th INFINITI Centre in Western Europe. Plus last year, our regions – that’s West and East Europe plus the Middle East – all enjoyed record sales.
Numbers that we want to increase further. Hence the strengthening of our sales teams across the region.
Our product offering continues to grow. Upwards with the confirmation that the FX Sebastian Vettel Version will go on sale this Spring in a strictly limited run of 200 units each enjoying 420PS of V8 muscle the most powerful and best sounding car we have yet brought to market.
Although Sebastian cannot be with us this year, we are very pleased to be joined by Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, Christian Horner, with whom we will be working even more closely this year.
Welcome Christian back to Geneva. If you see Sebastian, you can tell him that Car Number 1 will be his.
One figure that we are reducing is our average emissions with the announcement today that, due to technical changes, the INFINITI M Hybrid now emits less than 160 grams of CO2 without changing its status as the world’s fastest accelerating full hybrid. Next year, the emissions of our fleet will further decrease with the addition of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
How high … and how fast can we go is a question our product planners have been thinking very seriously about.
In addition, can low emissions be exciting? And beautiful…?
We think it can. To tell you more, let me hand you over to INFINITI’s Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Office, Mr Shiro Nakamura. Shiro-san…
Shiro Nakamura
Good morning everyone.
At every Geneva Show so far, INFINITI has always brought you something special.
In 2009, we showcased the Essence concept car to commemorate the brand`s 20th anniversary as a producer of performance cars. This car on authentic rear wheel drive proportions showed many new design aspects and a signature that expressed the unique beauty and vigor of INFINITI.
In 2011, we again showcased INFINITI’s distinctive design through the compact but spacious proportions of the Etherea concept, INFINITI’s first front-wheel drive car.
And today, I am very pleased to introduce you a new exploration of INFINITI design language and advanced technology that reflects Infininti`s message of inspired performance: the INFINITI EMERG-E, the third part of the INFINITI Trilogy.
This third member of the INFINITI Trilogy is more sporty, more dynamic and even more expressive than the previous two with a midship motor layout.
And it shows how INFINITI design language works in a different package.
Moreover it consolidates the future direction of INFINITI design.
Looking at the styling of the car, the flowing motion of the surface is led from a three-dimensional `Double Arch` front grille, with a new waved pattern, through to the kimono inspired air intakes on the rear fender giving elegance to this performance car.
Aside from its dynamic shape, INFINITI iconic signatures can be seen in the LED head lamp graphic inspired by a god’s forceful eye. The dynamic arc on the window graphic and crescent cut C-pillar are also adopted on EMERG-E embodying the unmistakable appearance of an INFINITI.
Looking inside the car, you can find subtle traces from Essence. Highly functional yet intimate spaces for both driver and passenger are formed by two different color and materials contrasting functional and comfortable zones.
We have designed a shape of real energy and elegance, and one with the emotional flow you know of INFINITI. But what you cannot see is that this silk dress of a body is super light made out of carbonfibre.
EMERG-E is also a symbol of performance and one that can be enjoyed without feeling guilty because we have explored technology new to INFINITI: an electric vehicle with a range extender.
The result is a sports car that can travel 30 miles with no emissions. It can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in four seconds thanks to three hundred kilo watts of power. And, with the assistance of a small three cylinder petrol engine, it is capable of a range of up to three hundred miles.
In addition to this show car, our engineering teams in the UK are building two more drivable prototypes this summer that will convey to you the real life experience of an electrically powered sports car.
And for me as a designer, there is no greater pleasure than seeing our work in a track environment.
So to conclude, the INFINITI EMERG-E is our new exploratory challenge, fitting the brand’s performance promise and expressing our new design direction.
Ladies and Gentleman, please enjoy our inspired performance: the INFINITI EMERG-E.