Frankfurt show: Eterniti reveals Hemera super-Cayenne

START-UP British brand Eterniti Motors has lifted the lid on its inaugural model by releasing the first clear images of the all-new 2012 Hemera “super-SUV” it will present at next week’s Frankfurt motor show.

Just days after issuing a single overhead teaser shot of its mysterious debut model, which was previewed by a heavily stylised sketch last month, London-based Eterniti has now released side, rear and rear three-quarter – but not frontal – images of the Hemera.

The images show the brand’s first model will have similar proportions to Porsche’s popular Cayenne, but a radical rear-end flanked by large vertical ‘air scoops’ that echo similar-shape front quarter scoopes and reside above a single large chromed round exhaust outlet on either side.

What appears to be a massive carbon-fibre rear diffuser is situated beneath two wildly shaped tail-lights and a ‘fast’ rear windscreen underneath a large tailgate spoiler that features a full-width brake light punctuated by a triangular centre section.

Although big alloy wheels with low-profile rubber and a similarly aggressive front-end – with lower spoiler and huge air inlets – reveal some of the Hemera’s performance intent, Eterniti has announced only that its hyper-SUV will produce “over 620bhp”, which equates to a stratospheric 460kW.

Eterniti has not revealed the engine that will power it - or the chassis that will underpin all this performance – but has previously said the Hemera will be based on “the latest generation of the best large SUV platform available” and will incorporate a “chassis-up rebuild” and an “all-new, repackaged interior”.

However, the images indicate the Hemera is closely related to the Cayenne - the top-shelf Turbo version of which packs a 368kW/700Nm 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8, while the previous-generation Turbo S range-topper delivered 404kW/750Nm - and it will need all of its promised 460kW-plus output to hit a claimed top speed of more than 180mph (290km/h).

No other technical details have yet been announced, but Eterniti says the Hemera – which will wear carbon-composite body panels and should cost about £150,000 ($A230,000) - will bring new levels of luxury and performance to the SUV segment when production begins in 2012.

“Hand-built in London, it will feature a limousine-like rear cabin, including twin electric reclining seats, iPads and a drinks chiller, giving customers the option of being chauffeured as well as driving,” said Eterniti.

“However, its relatively compact dimensions, 4x4 ruggedness and dynamic performance mean that it is more practical than a limousine and offers considerable driver appeal, with over 620bhp on tap and a top speed in excess of 180mph.” A London showroom is due to open later this year and will incorporate the service centre and production facility, where the cars will be assembled by “British craftsmen and technicians”, before further showrooms are rolled out in “key international cities” from next year.

Asked if the Hemera, which Eterniti bills as “the world’s first Super-SUV”, will be made available in Australia, Eterniti spokesman Mark Carbery told GoAuto: “No plans yet, but we will have an Asia-Pacific base from next year, so this may extend to Australia before too long”.

The Hemera is expected to be the first in a series of models from Eterniti, which is backed by a group of international investors and founded by “people who have a passion for cars”, including a supercar designed completely in-house.

Earlier this week, Eterniti revealed multiple Le Mans-winning vehicle technician Alastair Macqueen as the Hemera’s engineering chief, while former Formula 1 grand prix winner Johnny Herbert was announced as brand ambassador and Hemera development driver.