MALLINation

Infiniti Essence Concept

The Geneva Motor show, stuck as it is in the mountainous middle of Europe, seemed like an oasis of exuberance in the midst of the worst year for the auto industry since the great depression.

You might not know it from the concepts and production models on display – some of the worlds most prestigious high end brands and design houses had an wide array of new designs to show off. Here are some of the most notable.

(more after the jump)

Infiniti Essence Concept

Infiniti Essence Concept

Nissan’s luxury Infiniti division is just beginning a push into Europe after being established in the United States since the early 90s. Their nearly baroque Essence Concept is designed to make a splash and it succeeded.

While BMW’s Chris Bangle is set to leave the car world, some of his radical design ideas seem to have taken hold at Nissan. While the Essence doesn’t please from every angle and at times can seem a bit over-detailed, its pinched and flowing forms are unusual and fascinating.

Infiniti Essence Concept - rear

Every surface is folded and formed into gentle waves and curves, most notable the indents pressed into the rear buttresses. The look is alternately beautiful and aggressive – a welcome bit of originality in the coupe segment.

Nissan Qazana

Nissan Qazana Concept

The Qazana is a crossover vehicle that, like the Infiniti Essence, pushes design to a polarizing degree. Unlike the Essence, Qazana crosses the line a bit, particularly with it’s unorthodox front face. The rally style rounded lights flanking the grille are actually fog lights and the main lighting source is from the stylized lamps situated high up on the fenders. There are shades of Chris Bangle’s Rolls-Royce Phantom in that arrangement though overall the feel is quite different. An interesting design, if not wholly pleasing.

Rolls-Royce 200ex

Rolls-Royce 200ex

Speaking of Rolls-Royce, the company signals their downmarket move with the 200ex, officially labeled a concept but for all intents their new, slightly smaller price leader.

Silly paint job notwithstanding, this is a sportier, cleaner design than the brutalist Phantom, with a  faster roof and tail-line. The front-end is simpler, devoid of the overtly geometric look of it’s big brother.

Koeniggsegg Quant

Koeniggsegg Quant

Boutique carmaker Koeniggsegg dips into environmental friendliness with the Quant. While the technology is the key here – the Quant is in theory powered by solar electric energy. The clear lack of an interior (and running gear) allows us to address what we like best – the design. Though there is nothing revolutionary here what I find most interesting are the Corvette like front fenders, rear fenders, and pontoon roofline – not to mention the radial wheels which are reminiscent of the ‘82 Vette.

Koeniggsegg Quant