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Given that Infiniti is making its first steps in Europe, very few tuners in the market have touched the Japanese brand's products. Having said that, it shouldn't come as a surprise that an Infiniti dealer has stepped in to fill the void. In particular, Infiniti Centre Hamburg in Germany has released two tuning packages for the recently launched diesel-powered M30d.

The "Stage 1 Package" for the M30d includes painted door handles (€600), red brake calipers with Infiniti lettering (€1,200 €), a lowered sports suspension (€1,495), a black radiator grille (€550) and a black-foil-covered roof (€400). The package is completed by an performance kit (€1,250) for the 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel boosting output from 238HP to 280HP.

The "Stage 2 Package" rounds off the tune with a set of 22-inch alloy wheels from Schmidt wrapped around 265/30 R22 Pirelli tires up front and 295/25 R22 tires at the back for a total cost of €6,800.

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The new 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid will go on sale firm's retailers on March 16, 2011, with a base price of $53,700, or $7,000 more than the regular M37 that's powered by a 330HP 3.7-liter V6, the company announced. Infiniti's first mass produced hybrid model pairs a 306HP 3.5-liter V6 engine to a 50 kW [68HP] electric motor for a combined net output of 360HP and an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg City, 32 mpg Highway, and 29 mpg combined.

The rear-wheel drive Infiniti M Hybrid is offered in a single trim model that comes equipped with leather-appointed seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, Active Noise Control, Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System and power sliding glass tinted moonroof plus the Blind Spot Intervention system, Active Trace Control, and Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System, as standard.

“We’re excited to be able to bring in the new Infiniti M Hybrid – with its exceptional blend of power, efficiency, style, luxury and technology – at an M.S.R.P. of under $54,000,” said Infiniti Vice President Ben Poore. “Competitively priced, though with little real direct competition, we expect the M Hybrid to continue the strong sales momentum the new Infiniti M Sedan has been experiencing since its launch in the 2011 model year.”

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This five-door hatchback model is the Infiniti Etherea concept, and it's set to be unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March. The Etherea previews the Japanese brand's foray into the compact luxury segment, with the production model scheduled to enter the market within the next two to three years.

Designed under the supervision of Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura, the 4.4 meter long concept is said to blend elements of coupé, sedan, hatchback and even crossover models "in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form". The Etherea also incorporates styling cues from the Japanese firm's well received Essence sports car study from 2009 including the...blurry-shaped C-pillar and front grille design.

While Infiniti did not publish any information on the Etherea's mechanical hardware, the logo on the front fenders tells us that it gets a hybrid powertrain. We'll have more on the Etherea concept after its presentation at the Geneva Salon.

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The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) fuel economy figures for Infiniti's all-new M35h are finally out. According to the government agency, the Japanese brand's first-ever hybrid model returns an estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg on the combined cycle.

For comparison, the conventional M37 with a 330HP 3.7-liter V6 is rated at 18 mpg City and 26 mpg Highway, while the M56 that is powered by a 420HP 5.6-liter V8, at 16 mpg City and 25 mpg Highway.

The M35h's drivetrain pairs a 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine with 306HP to a 50 kW [68HP] electric motor for a system net output of 360 horsepower. Both the gasoline V6 and electric motor deliver their power to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. Infiniti says the 1.830 kg (4.035 lbs) luxury sedan can reach 62mph (100km/) from standstill in 5.5 seconds en route to a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

According to the Japanese automaker, the M35h can drive on electric power alone at speeds up to 62 mph for a distance of up to 1.2 miles at a time.

U.S. sales of the 2012 M35h will start this spring.

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A pair of black and white sketches outlining the shape of what appears to be a hatchback model and a statement from Infiniti's Vice President, Andy Palmer, in 2010 saying that the brand is exploring the development of a new entry-level vehicle, is all we get about the Japanese luxury brand's new concept car that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March.

However, we'll remind you during the September 2010 announcement, Mr. Palmer had shown a more revealing teaser rendering of an all-electric model capable of seating up to five passengers, which he said would enter production in 2013.

There have been unconfirmed reports that Infiniti will show a new hatchback model powered by Mercedes-Benz four-cylinder engines as part of the Daimler and Renault-Nissan deal signed in April 2010, but given the reference to Mr. Palmer's statement at the opening of the Infiniti Centre Piccadilly in London, an EV hatchback concept sounds more likely.

On a side note, even though Infiniti did not give us a name for the Geneva Salon concept, the images were saved as "Eftheria", which could be the name of the study.

We will follow the story and bring you any new information as soon as we get it.

Infiniti Press Release:

“Infiniti is currently examining concepts for a luxury performance car that will fit below the current G Line. Like every Infiniti, it will be completely different to anything currently offered by our rivals.” So said Andy Palmer, Senior Vice President for Infiniti, at the opening of the Infiniti Centre Piccadilly in London during September 2010.

Fast forward to the 81st Geneva International Motor Show where at 12:15 CET on March 1, 2011, Infiniti will present its next Inspired Performance: a concept car that will take the Japanese performance brand down a new road, to a new future.

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Infiniti has released preliminary specs and performance figures for the European market version of its M35h hybrid sedan, due to arrive in dealerships this spring. Boasting an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.26, the Japanese maker’s first hybrid model weighs less than its diesel-powered M30d sibling and returns 6.9 lt/100 km (33.6 US mpg) on the combined cycle. However, customers will have to make do with a smaller boot, measuring just 350 liters.

The hybrid sedan's powertrain comprises a 306HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission and a 68HP (50kW) electric motor. The combined output is 364HP, good enough to accelerate the 1.830 kg (4.035 lbs) luxury sedan from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

In electric-only mode, the M35h is capable of reaching speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph, with Infiniti stating that in real-world testing, the car can be driven in this mode for as much as 50% of the time on mixed routes. To further improve the powertrain’s efficiency, the M35h also comes with regenerative brakes.

To warn pedestrians and the visually impaired while in electric-only mode, the hybrid sedan is fitted with the Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system, which emits a non-intrusive sound that varies pitch and volume at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph).

Infiniti said European-wide pricing will be announced before the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in early March.

By Csaba Daradics

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Don't let the Nissan 350Z snout and the Infiniti G35 Coupe (JDM Nissan Skyline V35) rear end design fool you; the glitzy painted roadster model you're gawking at is in fact a JDM Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider - possibly a third generation model. But before you try to digest all that info let us quickly add that Paint Star's Tokyo Auto Salon project car also hides a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine under its 350Z-shaped hood. See the rest of the photos in our image gallery after the break.