My Two Dents on the Essence GT Concept and why Infiniti Should Build it

People seem pretty excited about the recently revealed Infiniti M executive saloon. Frankly, I don't see what all the fuss is about. While it looks decent enough and its interior really shines (literally, thanks to the silver powder-coated wood), it's no game changer. But there's one Infiniti that really caught my attention this year, a concept that inspired some of the M's styling and might, just might, still be in the cards: the Infiniti Essence.

In my opinion, the Essence is the best-looking Infiniti ever crafted. Feel free to disagree, but I'd go so far as to say it may even be if not the, one of the most beautiful Japanese cars in the last quarter century.

Shown for the first time at the 2009 Geneva Show, the concept is built on a modified version of Nissan's FM platform featuring a twin-turbo 3.7 liter V6 hybrid power train which creates an impressive 592 horsepower. The big output in a green package isn't the best part about the concept, though. Neither is the fact that it's jaw-droppingly beautiful.

There's more to the Essence than show and go, and to truly appreciate the most significant aspect of Infiniti's Essence, you must delve into what the car represents: a leap forward.

For Infiniti, a brand that has never quite hit the big-league when it comes to luxury marques, the Essence could be just what it needs to get on the main stage: a halo car for the 21st century.

The concept is gorgeous inside and out, technologically and aesthetically stunning. With its heritage-inspired designs (the 'kanzashi' hair pin vent trim and the kimono-inspired seat-back stitching in the offset interior), the Essence is automotive culture redefined.

It blends old and new themes - automotive and non-automotive - flawlessly into a "legacy of the future" style that stands head and shoulders above anything coming from the land of the rising sun. The concept is powerful without being racy, luxurious without being pretentious. Most importantly, on more than a few levels, it's realistic. Which, if I may be so bold, is why it has to be built.

While the high-output hybrid might have to go out possibly in favor of a practical non-turbo hybrid system like the one found on the new M35 Hybrid and a maybe even a range-topping direct-injection V8, it's not hard to picture this beauty driving down the road as is.

The Essence is loaded with production or soon-to-be-production safety tech, it rides on realistic wheels (well, maybe they're an inch or two too big, but who cares), and the minimalist interior is handsome without being pure concept; the only items missing are the mirrors and a more practical / ergonomically premium sat-nav stereo system housed on the center console.

As a limited production grand tourer, the Essence could be just the surge needed to put Infiniti on the map in a big way. Add to that the fact that it could launch the idea of a true performance Infiniti, and maybe a few years down the road we'd see the G take a step into the fast lane.

To make it a truly distinct model, forget the traditional letter-based naming system and call it the Essence. Price it in the same range as, let's say, the BMW M6 and Maserati Gran Turismo (somewhere around $100,000-125,000), throw in the Louis Vuitton luggage, and allow for customer individualization 'a la' BMW Individual.

That way, using the already-proven platform and award-winning power trains, Infiniti could offer customers a variety of Essences, from track-day attack-dog to romantic-getaway luxury-tourer.

The resulting car would be the Japanese halo car Lexus's not-the-fastest-at-anything-for-$375,000 LF-A should have been: not an exercise in absurdly expensive technological excess, but a properly-placed, luxurious grand tourer for the gentleman racer.

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had an obsession with cars and travel. Currently he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. If for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

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My Two Styling Dents on the New Suzuki Kizashi Sedan

"They make cars?" used to be the common response when asking people about Suzuki's automobile offerings. That's about to change, though, because the runt of the Japanese litter has decided to go head to head against the first-stringers. With its Kizashi mid-size sedan, Suzuki thinks it knows what mid-size car buyers want, but the big question is: how can this stubby mid-sizer hope to compete?

For the time being Suzuki is playing it smart and starting out simple, offering a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with either a 6-speed stick or a CVT. The controllable all-wheel drive system is a nice option in the segment, and with a V6 and hybrid rumored to be in the works, this mid-size saloon should be more than ready to take on the world (putting a few more nails into the Mitsubishi Galant's coffin...).

In the cockpit is where the Kizashi scores some serious points. Compared to its contemporaries, it's easy to tell time was invested in designing it for driver/passenger comfort, ease of use, and a sport-luxury ambiance - apparently I'll hold off quality opinions until I feel the polymers with my own bare hands.

The Kizashi's center stack doesn't choke you with switches, but it doesn't bore you to death, either (take a look at those metallic fangs).

For comparison, the Toyota Camry's dash is to the point, but oh so boring. There's nothing there that stands out. Add to that the top-heavy, anorexic-Dolly Parton gated shifter and you have an interior that's as charismatic as a corpse. In fact, I feel like I'm aging just looking at it.

The Honda Accord's dash layout is a step up from the Camry, but not by much. At least Honda's "robot designers" threw in some bisecting lines, making it more stylish than the Camry but drowning drivers in buttons and knobs.

Also, to let everyone know that the Kizashi isn't messing around in the entertainment department, there's an available Rockford Fosgate sound system to go up against Toyota's optional JBL stereo setup and Honda's "premium" one.

From the outside, the Kizashi is possibly the most youthful in the segment. I like its tough, chunky form and stubby up-ticked rear, but that doesn't blind me to the fact that it's lines are far from original.

Easily identifiable on the production model is a blend of the Kizashi concepts' facial features with those of VW's Jetta (the proportions seem much better than the Jetta, though). Now follow the sculpted line along either side of the hood, up the A-pillar, over the flared fenders and back towards the trunk. While admiring the rear three-quarter view you'll see hints of Toyota's Mark X sedan.

Below the rear bumper, you'll either like those geometric tailpipe surrounds or you won't. They're not the best part of the car, but at least the exhaust pipes can be seen inside them (unlike the superfluous faux exhaust tips found on the . . . ahem . . . nigh-$60,000 Lexus IS-F). Up above, I would have liked that third brake light mounted flush in the trunk lid, but that's a minor deal that shouldn't deter anyone from taking a look at this car.

More and more it seems like Suzuki has a potential winner on its hands, one that could draw plenty of people out of the competition's showrooms. The runt has put out a cute and butch car that, if there isn't a whole lot of brand loyalty in one's diet, may get some serious attention over the next few years. Now if only they would release the rest of the specs. After all, those mid-size sedan buyers are a finicky lot.

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had an obsession with cars and travel. Currently he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. If for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

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