Geneva 2012: Infiniti Emerg-E

Phwoar, that’s pretty sexy, don’t you think. It’s the Inifiniti Emerg-E concept and it’s been made to help put the fancy-Nissan product on the map as it extends into new markets.

Well, a 300kW sports car with seductive flowing lines and a 0-60mph time of 4.0 seconds is a pretty good place to start. True, they’re not the most spectacular numbers going around for a car that looks that good, but keep in mind it’s only got a measly 1.2 litre three cylinder petrol engine to supplement the twin electric motors.

The baby engine is rather quaintly called a “range extender”. That’s just as well too, because in all-electric mode you’ve only got around 50km to play with.

Most importantly, though, the Emerg-E made us sit up and take notice. Infiniti is coming to Australia, too, so let’s hope there’s more stuff like this to follow.

If you want to keep an eye on Infiniti product the European division has rather kindly opened their press guff up to everyone, no passwords required: www.infinitipress.eu

Infiniti UK press release:

Infiniti news summary: 2012 Geneva Motor Show

• INFINITI EMERG-E press kit now live at www.infinitiemerg-e.com
  
• The brand’s first mid-engined, range extending electric sports concept car
  
• 0-60mph in 4.0 seconds; 300kW power output from twin motors
  
• Up to 300 mile range
  
• Substantial UK involvement in its design and development

• 420PS FX Sebastian Vettel to enter a limited production run of 200 units
• CO2 emissions of the Infiniti M35h lowered to 159g/km without any reduction in performance

ROLLE, Switzerland (March 6, 2012) – Infiniti, the luxury performance automotive brand from Japan, revealed today at the 82nd Geneva Motor Show its first ever mid-engined sports car concept called the INFINITI EMERG-E.

In addition, Infiniti confirmed the limited production of 200 units of the 420PS FX Sebastian Vettel version for Europe and Middle East markets, as well as the reduction of emissions of its world record holding Infiniti M Hybrid model to 159g/km.

INFINITI EMERG-E: AN ELECTRIFYING NEW TAKE ON THE SPORTS CAR

The INFINITI EMERG-E Concept, which makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2012, is a highly advanced mid-ship sports car that provides an exciting glimpse into Infiniti’s future.

INFINITI EMERG-E is physical proof of Infiniti’s intention to produce a bold halo model befitting the brand’s promise of Inspired Performance, and also signals an array of exciting new technologies that the brand will adopt in its quest to build dramatic and sustainable high performance cars. INFINITI EMERG-E also provides a fresh expression of Infiniti’s design language applied to a high performance, mid-ship sports car for the first time.

INFINITI EMERG-E is also significant for being the first Infiniti that has been developed in Europe. More than that, its advanced technology deliberately draws on the knowledge of suppliers beyond Infiniti’s usual base in the quest to uncover the most innovative hardware and the deepest knowledge base. That quest has seen Infiniti become a part of the UK government’s Technology Strategy Board initiative, whose aim is to speed the arrival of low carbon vehicles to our roads.

INFINITI EMERG-E is the ultimate expression of Infiniti’s inspired performance. This 402bhp (300kW) mid-engined, twin motor, electric motors powered sports car is capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in just four seconds -and from zero to 130mph in a single, seamless 30 second burst. Yet it also operates as exciting, zero emission urban transport over a 30-mile range. And when the range-extender petrol engine functions in concert with its twin electric motors, it produces a CO2 output of only 55g/km (NEDC cycle).

Within its compact 4.464m length the two-seater INFINITI EMERG-E contains a pair of electric motors, a lithium-ion battery pack, four inverters, a three-cylinder range-extending internal combustion engine and a petrol tank. All this is efficiently wrapped within highly aerodynamic, light bodywork characterised by a design fluency that could only come from Infiniti.

INFINITI EMERG-E SPECIFICATION

Powertrain

• Motor type (synchronous), Twin rotor motors, one per rear rear wheel
• EVO Electric Synchronous DC Brushless drive
• Motor peak power, revs: 150kW per motor (300kW total for vehicle) available for 30s or less. Flat distribution of power circa 3000 RPM upwards
• Motor peak torque, revs: 1000Nm
• ICE cylinders, capacity: Lotus 3-cylinders, 1.2litre
• ICE peak power, revs: 35kW at 3500rpm
• ICE peak torque, revs: 107Nm at 2500rpm
• Transmission: Xtrac Single-speed (4.588:1 reduction box)
• Battery type: Lithium-ion phosphate
• Battery capacity: 1000 amps
• Peak power: 300 kW
• Energy: 14.8kW/h (at 25deg)
• Recharge time (from 13amps): 10 hours, (6 hours at 16amps)
• Fuel tank capacity (litres): 30.6litres

Chassis and Body

• Construction Bonded, extruded aluminium chassis, carbon fibre bodywork
• Length: 4464mm
• Width: 1954mm
• Height: 1219mm
• Wheelbase: 2624mm
• Weight: 1598 kg
• Drag coefficient: 0.340 Cd
• Suspension, front: Forged aluminium double wishbone suspension. Front Anti-roll bar. Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs.
• Suspension, rear: Forged aluminium double wishbone suspension. Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs.
• Brakes, front: Ventilated disc, 350mm dia
• Brakes, rear: Ventilated disc, 332mm dia
• Steering: Rack and pinion
• Assistance: Electro Hydraulic PAS
• Wheels: 8J x 19” dia. (Front), 9.5J x 20” dia. (Rear)
• Tyres: 235/35 r19 (front), 275/30 r20 (rear)

Performance

• 0-60mph: 4.0sec
• 0-130mph: 30.0sec
• Max speed: 130mph
• Range, EV mode: 30 miles
• Full range: 300 miles
• CO2 emissions, EV mode: Zero
• CO2 emissions, r-e mode: 55g/km (NEDC cycle)

INFINITI POWERS UP THE FX SEBASTIAN VETTEL VERSION

Infiniti today confirmed the FX Sebastian Vettel version, shown first in concept form at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, is to enter a strictly limited production run of 200 units to be sold across Europe and Middle East regions. The announcement was made by Bernard Loire, Infiniti Vice President for Europe and the Middle East.

The production version will match the 420PS output of the concept car making it the most powerful Infiniti yet to be sold by the European business unit. Although no price is available yet, it will also be the most expensive.

The car is a collaboration between Red Bull Racing’s champion racing driver and global brand ambassador, Sebastian Vettel, and Infiniti’s Chief Creative Officer, Shiro Nakamura. With its sophisticated technology, lightweight components and features such as Rear Active Steering for maximum agility, the V8 FX50S Premium – Infiniti’s current flagship as well as its best-selling model in some markets – provides the ideal starting point for the FX Sebastian Vettel version. Changes including increased power, lower weight, longer gearing, increased downforce and lowered, stiffer suspension turn what is already a sports car among crossovers into a crossover supercar.

Customer reservations are being taken now ahead of first deliveries from early 2013.