Infiniti Geneva concept previews small car

Infiniti has distilled its Essence concept car into a new, luxury small car concept that will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Previewed with this teaser sketch, the concept will become a new small car that will slot in as the entry point of the Infiniti range, below the G saloon and coupe.

“Infiniti is currently examining concepts for a luxury performance car that will fit below the current G Line. Like every Infiniti, it will be completely different to anything currently offered by our rivals” said Andy Palmer, Senior Vice President for Infiniti, at the opening of the Infiniti Centre Piccadilly in London during September 2010.

The new car is set to take on the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3, so will be sized accordingly. Style will be high on the menu, with design touches like the swept-back windscreen and inverted C-pillar carried over from the Essence concept which debuted at Geneva in 2010.

Infiniti’s new car is likely to be the first that isn’t built on Nissan’s FM platform, shared with the 370Z. 

What’s more, thanks to Nissan’ tie-up with Mercedes, Infiniti may be able to get its hands on the German firm’s new 1.8-litre direct injection petrol and 2.1-litre diesel engines, although where this leaves the new Mercedes A-Class, which would also rival Infiniti’s new hatch, is unclear.

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