Infiniti takes on Lexus and BMW with new compact luxury model

Infiniti has released the first pictures of the Etherea, the concept which it will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Believed to hint at a future model aimed at younger buyers from the Nissan-owned luxury brand, Nissan says that the Etherea brings together elements of "coupé, sedan, hatchback and even crossover in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form."

Infiniti currently lacks an entry-level model with direct appeal to the younger market such as the Lexus CT 200h or BMW 1-Series which have both proved popular, successfully widening the appeal of their top-end brands from a traditional audience.

Although the car remains very much a concept for now, some commentators have suggested that a production version of the model could be introduced around 2014, built in collaboration with Nissan's European partner Renault.

Infiniti's Toru Saito said that the Etherea "is not just a smaller version of a typically conservative and traditional luxury car," describing it as a "new type of luxury for younger buyers."

The Geneva Motor Show is open to the public March 3-13 in Geneva, Switzerland.

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