Paris PreShow: Infiniti Performance Line G Cabrio Concept

While we're still trying to find out if Infiniti's freshly sketched dedicated EV (see here) will make its debut at next week's 2010 Mondial de l'Automobile, here's an Infiniti concept that has been confirmed for the show. The Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) G Cabrio Concept is the second car to wear the Japanese firm's sporty IPL badge after the introduction of the G Coupé in North America in the summer.

As you'd expect, the IPL version of Infiniti's four-seat hardtop cabriolet shares many of the coupe's styling and performance enhancements.

Under the hood, you'll find a modified version of the standard car's 3.7-liter V6 delivering 338 PS at 7,400 rpm and 374Nm of torque. The regular Euro-spec model gets by with 320 PS at 7,400 rpm and 360Nm. For the record, the US-market IPL G Coupe's V6 produces 348-horsepower.

Infiniti says the tuned convertible accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62 mph) in under 6 seconds, while top speed of the de-restricted concept car, which has a seven speed automatic transmission with magnesium paddle shifts, is more than 270 km/h or 168mph.

The concept model's suspension has also been upgraded with 10% stiffer springs and recalibrated dampers, while body sits a little lower to the ground.

In the looks department, the Paris Show model's exterior is finished in a new a pearlescent black paint with red hints called "Malbec Black" while the interior is covered in Monaco Red leather.

Exterior upgrades include a new front bumper, blacked-out grille and headlight surrounds, sculptured side sill extensions and a boot lid spoiler. The huge exhaust tail pipes and 19-inch 7-spoke rims complete the list of changes.

As for the interior, the centre console is finished with black lacquer while the dashboard area above the glove box and doors are adorned with a decorative trim called KACCHU, which according to Infiniti, is a name given to the armour used by Japan's feudal warlords, or samurai, in the Middle Ages.

Although billed as a concept, we all know that an IPL flavored G Cabrio will be offered sooner or later in the States. As for Europe, here's what Infiniti stated: "A decision on launching IPL Infinitis in Europe will be taken later after reaction to the IPL G Cabrio Concept has been considered."

Breaking: Infiniti Sketches New Pure Electric Model and Confirms 2013 Launch

We just got our hands on the first official teaser sketch of Infiniti's forthcoming dedicated electric vehicle. The image was shown by Infiniti's Senior Vice President, Andy Palmer, during a special ceremony held to mark the opening of the Infiniti Centre Piccadilly in London. Along with the release of the teaser, the Japanese automaker confirmed that the EV will be launched into the market in 2013.

For now, all we know about the as-of-yet unnamed car is that it's powered by electricity and can seat five passengers. The sketchy picture doesn't allows us to make out the body style of the car as it could be a four door sedan, a five-door hatchback/liftback or even a coupe; we're just not sure.

"Befitting the brand’s promise of “Inspired Performance” , the Infiniti EV will be a stylish, compact, high performance, five-seat luxury car with zero emissions technology," the company said in a statement.

There's a strong possibility Infiniti may lift the covers off the EV in Paris, but this has not yet been confirmed. In any case, we'll keep you updated on any new information we receive.

Infiniti FX50 S Dressed Up in Styling Package by Brabus' CRD Division

Here's a proposal from this year's Frankfurt Show that somehow managed to escape our radar. Supposedly a concept study, the Infiniti FX50 S Limited Edition was created by Car Research and Development or CRD for short, a subsidiary of the Brabus Group that works directly with automakers and their national importers. Among other cars, CRD was responsible (...) for the creation of the Dodge Avenger-based Startech Starster that appeared at the 2007 Frankfurt Show.

The Infiniti FX50 S Limited Edition show car gets a set of bespoke 21-inch turbine-design light-alloy wheels in a grey finish, while the front grille, side air inlets in the front fenders and the roof bars are also painted grey.

The luxury SUV's cabin is upholstered in high-quality leather with contrasting light brown stitching while the carbon-fiber trim in a dark brown finish and the alcantara trim on the headliner and pillars round off the interior upgrades.

And yes, we too are wondering why Brabus / CRD even bothered to call this creation a concept study...

Infiniti Releases Essence Concept Teaser Photo

Following an earlier announcement, Infiniti went ahead today and issued the first teaser photograph of its Geneva Show-bound concept car that will be called 'Essence'. The Japanese firm has not revealed any particular details on the car other than it has been produced in collaboration with Louis Vuitton and that it will be 'one dramatic concept' previewing 'an exploration into the brand's future'.

The image appears to illustrate the car's swoopy C-pillar and pronounced rear-wheel arch, leading us to believe that the Essence could be previewing a proposal for a high-end sports coupe. If that's the case, then it wouldn't be too farfetched to say that there's a good possibility that it could be based on the underpinnings of the Nissan GT-R. But better wait for more information to come in before we make any more speculations.

Infiniti to Introduce New Performance Concept Car in Geneva

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Nissan's premium brand Infiniti, will perform the world debut of a new performance concept car at next month's Geneva Motor Show. The Japanese automaker did not reveal many details other than that "the dramatic concept car will be an inspiring exploration into the brand's future," and that it will come equipped with a bespoke set of luggage created in collaboration with the famous French luxury brand, Louis Vuitton.

We have no idea what kind of concept car Infiniti is readying (for the record, the photo above shows the firm's design boss Shiro Nakamura inside a FX50s),but feel free to speculate in our comment section below.