Infiniti Concept Car to Debut in Geneva with Louis Vuitton Luggage?

Shiro Nakamura – Senior VP Infiniti Design with Louis Vuitton luggage

Celebrating the brand's 20th year in business

By Michael Gauthier
February 5, 2009 10:55 PM
Filed Under: Concept Car, Geneva Motor Show, Infiniti, Japanese, Lifestyle

Infiniti will team up with luxury goods maker Louis Vuitton for the introduction of a new concept car that will appear at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Little is known about the concept but Infiniti says that it will be a dynamic celebration of brand's 20 years in business. The only thing that is certain is that Louis Vuitton has created a bespoke set of luggage for the concept, a move that should peak women's interest in the car.

Infiniti will also use the Geneva Motor Show to make the European debut of the new G37 convertible.

Look for more information to released when Infiniti unveils the concept at their press conference on March 3.

Source: Infiniti

Press Release (Click to expand)

INFINITI PACKS LOUIS VUITTON FOR GENEVA

ROLLE, Switzerland (February 5 2009) - Infiniti, the luxury car company from Japan, has announced its collaboration with Louis Vuitton, the French luxury brand, for the creation of a bespoke set of luggage for a concept car to be revealed at the 2009 International Geneva Motor Show next month.

The dramatic concept will be a celebration of Infiniti and its 20 years history as a creator of performance cars. But equally it will be an inspiring exploration into the brand's future.

For Louis Vuitton, this collaboration is the latest in a long heritage of designing custom luggage for special automobiles.

(ends)

* The INFINITI press conference at the 2009 International Geneva Motor Show will take place at 10:15, March 3 2009, in Hall 1 where as well as revealing its new concept car, Infiniti will also display the G37 Convertible for the first time in Europe.

* INFINITI comes from Japan. Its line-up of performance sedans, coupes and crossovers is now being launched across Europe through a dedicated network of Infiniti Centres which share a commitment to individualised and exceptional customer service. For more information, see www.infiniti.eu.

* LOUIS VUITTON has been synonymous with the art of stylish travel since 1854. Since 1987, it has been part of L.V.M.H. / Moët Hennessy; Louis Vuitton, the world's most prestigious luxury goods group, is headed by Bernard Arnault. Since 1997, with the arrival of the designer Marc Jacobs, it has extended its expertise to women's and men's ready-to-wear, shoes, watches and jewellery, sunglasses, combining traditional craftsmanship with flair and innovation to create a complete lifestyle experience. For more information, please visit www.louisvuitton.com.

* PICTURE CAPTION: Shiro Nakamura - Senior Vice President Infiniti Design - collects part of the Louis Vuitton custom luggage from the LV store in Roppongi, Tokyo for a concept car Infiniti will reveal on March 3, 2009.

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Tags: Infiniti, 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Louis Vuitton

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The Essence of Infiniti Concept Car to Debut in Geneva (2 comments

Comments

v6s_stink

February 5, 2009 11:20 PM

I have finally found something positive to say about Bangle. At least he didn't wear diagonal pin stripes.

Lemonsqweezer3000

February 6, 2009 7:42 AM

*yawn*. Sad when the luggage is of a higher class then the car. It belongs in a bentley (if done right)I would say, not a datsun...

politz

February 6, 2009 2:12 PM

Sorry, but my LV luggage travels in a Volvo... after all, if I drove a Bentley, I woulds travel with no luggage at all!

pzigly

February 6, 2009 12:08 PM

every car company started from some where. Nissan wanted to change their name for such a long time but felt it would confuse ppl. porsche 911 is an evolved volkswagon beetle that doesnt make it any less of a car. The infinity brand has out preformed every german car in its class. In speed and in lux. Even the infinity suv can beat the porsche suv. so i really dont get y u ppl are still blabing on about it

benz_man

February 7, 2009 6:50 AM

You really believe that? Don't get me wrong, Infiniti is an excellent premium brand. As far as the driving experience goes, they are closer to BMW than Mercedes. However, they are still two steps behind when you view their products as a whole. A 335 is still the better pick (even for more money). The 5 series has fallen back some in its current generation, but it's still superior to an M45 (in almost every way). Infiniti doesn't even offer S and 7 competition. And, the turbo Cayenne would decimate an FX50 on the Ring. Infiniti's products are better than the average, but they're still outdone by the Germans. At the rate they are competing though, I'd assume the next generation of products would be as good if not better than the competition.

Motor_Yakuza

February 7, 2009 4:22 PM

LoL, If u want to compare the german brands with the japanese ones, I see Lexus vs Merc, Acura vs BMW and Infiniti vs Audi, this are the closest comparations based on brand values.

benz_man

February 7, 2009 8:43 PM

As much as I hate to say it, I'd put Lexus against Merc. Mercedes makes better driving products, Lexus makes better quality products (did I just say that?). Acura vs BMW? Really? When will a nose heavy, FWD car ever compete with the true thoroughbred of driving excitement? Infiniti has made it known it is the Japanese equivalent of a BMW. No one else even comes close to de-throning the 335. Acura, like Audi, is a "pseudo-luxury brand". Falling closer to "near-luxury" than "luxury" (at least in consumer perception). The single problem with these two brands is there lack of a true RWD architecture. Once they pull one out, the game will change completely. Just look at Hyundai...

pzigly

February 8, 2009 5:57 AM

you cant compare the cyanne turbo V8 to to the infinity V8. The infinity V8 will leave the cyanne v8 and the BMW suv in the dust. The 335 uses turbos that used to overheat and the infinity g37 can keep up well for $6k or more less than the 335. The 5series is not as fast as m45 for 15k! less and the sound system and user firendly controls is no contest. I think you need to see a car review before you come to ridiclous conclusions. Also for the price I wouldnt compare the 335 to the infinity. I would compare the model just below which is not even in the g37's league for the same price.

benz_man

February 8, 2009 9:29 PM

Pzigly, you're correct. I can't compare the turbo Cayenne to the V8 FX50. However, the fact that Infiniti makes Cayenne competition, but not Cayenne Turbo competition solidifies my opinion even more! Also, the oil cooling problems with BMWs N54 were taken care of (in production) almost 2 years ago. Even with that problem, the N54 is still far more advanced than the NEW VQ37VHR series (and the VQ is no joke). Yes, the G37 can "keep up", but the driving experience is about far more than just numbers. Driving a G37 is fun. Driving a 335 is more fun. Get it? The 550 is quicker than an M45, and better to drive too. I don't need to read a review. I've driven both (for extended periods of time). Design is subjective. I personally prefer the interior of the 5 to the M. They are so close in quality it's a moot point. And yeah, the M has the better audio. HKs Logic 7 takes lots of juice to sound realistically enveloping, and BMW didn't provide enough. I make these comparisons to say, Infiniti has not "out-performed every German car in its class." It's still a follower, but not for too much longer... Of all the Japanese luxury car manufacturers, Infiniti is the closest to toppling the German titans.

pzigly

February 9, 2009 5:52 AM

according to the car reviews i have seen, they all say that infinity is more bang for your buck. the all give infinity the higher score. they say the bmw has a tad more fun factor but when you put em on a track they are close and the infinity wins for everyday drivability. Also infinity does not need to make a gas guzzling turbo V8 suv sales for them have dropped. Also nissan has better turbo charged engines than bmw has. proven since the 90's. if the skyline engine was put in the G35, the 335 wouldnt stand a chance. A VQ engine giving a close amount of fun and grunt as a turbo charged beamer is pretty dam good. a better comparison is between a 2 door 328 which is the same price. The g37 murders that car in every way.

benz_man

February 9, 2009 7:23 AM

The question is "who engineers the better products"? Its not about bang for the buck or could, would, should. When you define a goal and create two objects tailored to fit that goal exactly, which is closest to the original idea?

Oh, Nissan doesn't have a single engine in its arsenal as advanced as BMW's N54 & N63. The VR38 in the GTR makes more power, but that's just boost.

pzigly

February 9, 2009 8:00 AM

you are not going to convince me that the bmw engine is more advanced or better than nissans turbo charged engines. Nissan's can take more boost and outlast any of those bmw engines. The naturally aspiraded engine has more horse power without using boost. it will also save more gas and will never overheat. That to me is more advanced.

benz_man

February 10, 2009 12:28 AM

Pzigly, you don't have to be convinced..."it is what it is". The fact that BMW uses DI in the N54 and Nissan doesn't in the VQ/VR puts the BMW engine ahead from the start. On top of that, BMW uses multiple injections each combustion stroke, when not in stratified-charge mode, to increase power & fuel economy up to 3K RPM. Couple that with a pair of small, low pressure turbos that spool-up quickly, and you have a 300HP 3.0L 6 that makes 300ft-lb from 1300 to 5000 RPM. That's simply amazing! The VR38 is the perfection of yesterday's technology (as it should be, Nissan spent the development money in chassis engineering). The VQ37HR's party trick is it's VVEL technology that reduces pumping losses by opening the throttle bodies and adjusting engine-load-requests via valve lift and timing. Thats cutting edge stuff...but BMW's Valvetronic (which does the same thing a little less efficiently, over a broader range) has been around since 2001. And the N54 gets more MPG. How is that not superior?

Edited by user on February 10, 2009 at 12:32 AM

Lemonsqweezer3000

February 7, 2009 8:02 PM

and the Mercedes-Benz is ofcourse better then the lexis, the BMW better then the akura, and the Audi ofcourse better then the datsun. and then theres Porsche...maybach...etc

Motor_Yakuza

February 7, 2009 8:18 PM

and wow, u are both arrogant and ignorant

benz_man

February 7, 2009 8:49 PM

You're pitting Acura against BMW and I'm ignorant?

Motor_Yakuza

February 7, 2009 8:56 PM

Not u man, I was calling lemonsqweezer3000 an ignorant, he is making stupid comments, and yeah Acura can be a rival for BMW, if they introduce RWD cars.

benz_man

February 7, 2009 10:33 PM

Oh, I guess I should stop being such a confrontational a**!

Motor_Yakuza

February 7, 2009 11:12 PM

It's ok , chill, and Acura have way batter interiors then BMW, and I'm talking about the 3 series interior and even 5 series, those interiors look a bit crapy and cheap, and the last time when I was in a X3 I felt worse then in my uncle's Acura RDX.

benz_man

February 8, 2009 2:28 AM

Acura has an arguably better interior design, if you dig all the buttons. (I personally love the structural look of the wooden pieces) BMWs have always been stark and minimalist. However, on average, BMW has better materials. Look at the dashboard in a new Acura. The distortion of synthetic grains around radii is inferior to any modern BMW's (thats just one example, don't get me started on the rest). And yes, the X3 rides like crap (compared to just about anything), but think about the mechanical engineering developed into the suspension. Have you ever heard of the skyhook principle? Google it! In return for that s***** ride, the X3 is far more fun in the twisties than every SUV in its class. It's a fair trade if your backside can take the beating! Personally, I'd take an RDX over an X3, but thats not because the RDX is the superior product, I just prefer that vehicle over the X3. Oh, back on topic... I wonder what this Infiniti concept will be?

Motor_Yakuza

February 8, 2009 2:54 AM

Hmm, it's very hard to tell what the concept will be, could be just about anything, a compact car that could rival the 1 series(I doubt that they will present a compact car with LV luggage), It could be a 4 door coupe based on the GT-R, it could be a big sedan to rival with the 7 series and S class, It could be a high performance version of an existing model to compete with the AMG and the F series, It could be a Hybrid, or an EV. I bet on a 4 door coupe or a hybrid.But I'm not putting to much money on them. We will see.

Uptohere

February 9, 2009 1:08 AM

Actually, I don't know who Acura really competes with anymore. They seem to have lost their way.

mortz

February 9, 2009 7:46 AM

Benz-man, i think you should go and study some of the engines that Nissan have produced because your statement is inaccurate.

benz_man

February 10, 2009 12:36 AM

Well, please enlighten me. I'd love to learn something new!

mortz

February 8, 2009 12:53 AM

Give Nissan a couple of years and they will be one of if not the leading car companies with technology and performance etc, just like the japanese fishing reels and rods they are second to none.

mortz

February 10, 2009 1:50 AM

Nissan has the NEO direct injection engines which range from there 4cly to straight 6, V6 and V8 engines.

benz_man

February 10, 2009 3:43 AM

Yeah, I know. But can they certify that tech with Americas "dirty" pump gas? Or with 91-93 Octane?

Lemonsqweezer3000

February 8, 2009 10:33 AM

Say these two words outloud and think to yourself which has more of a presence to it: 1) Infinity 2) Mercedes-Benz

mortz

February 9, 2009 1:31 AM

I buy a car for its performance and efficiency not if its sounds better or because its got a German branding.