This week, in Frankfurt, the new 2011 Eterniti Hemera Concept was unveiled.
Eterniti describes itself as an independent, boutique British luxury brand, uniquely based in London.
The automaker aims to satisfy a growing demand for additional luxury, personalized specifications and exclusivity among car buyers.
The sudden spike in interest in such models is due to strong demand for high-riding performance models from emerging markets such as Russia, India and China, where poor road conditions often negate the ability to drive low slung sports cars at high speed.
The Hemera will be the world’s first super-SUV, providing new levels of luxury, space and performance in an SUV to create a new niche. Eterniti also boasts that it will feature a limo-like rear cabin, including twin reclining seats, iPads and a drinks chiller.
It is based on an existing vehicle platform--a donor Porsche Cayenne--and designed to go up against the likes of a planned Aston Martin Lagonda crossover and a new ‘Super-SUV’ from Bowler. Eterniti’s engineers have apparently rebuilt the chassis, uprated the drivetrain, repackaged the interior, and added carbon-composite body panels.
Peak output will be in excess of 620 horsepower, derived from a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V-8, and top speed should exceed 180 mph.
The engineering team is led by Alastair Macqueen, who was responsible for the development of the Jaguar XJ220 supercar and has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with both Jaguar and Bentley. Eterniti also has its very own F1 driver, Johnny Herbert, like Macqueen victorious at Le Mans but in addition a winner of three Grands Prix during a 10-year Formula 1 career. Johnny will have an active involvement in developing Eterniti vehicles as well as serving as an ambassador for the brand.
Eterniti is currently establishing a London hub featuring a showroom, car build and service center, and a separate atelier where customers can discuss their requirements and create a bespoke specification for their cars, which will be hand-built on site by British craftsmen and technicians. The London facilities will open later this year, with further showrooms in key international cities to follow from 2012.
Production of the Hemera, meanwhile, is also scheduled to start in 2012. However, we're not sure how France's PGO will react to Eterniti borrowing its 'Hemera' name.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but don't expect much change from £150,000 (approximately $236,985) the company states.
Note, in Frankfurt Eterniti announced ambitious plans for several new models, including an additional variant of the Hemera, another SUV model, and a high-performance supercar, all of which you can read about by clicking here.
And for our complete coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, click here.
