Frankfurt Coming-Out Party for New Luxury SUV Builder

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Frankfurt Auto Show

A new London-based car company will make its debut at this week’s Frankfurt auto show, unveiling what it describes as the world’s first super-luxury SUV.

Eterniti Motors says it will launch production of its hand-built Hemera model in 2012, promising the SUV will feature a limousine-like rear cabin that includes twin electric reclining seats, iPads and a drink chiller.

“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 620 hp on tap and a top speed in excess of 180 mph (290 km/h),” Eterniti says in a statement.

The new company is backed by a group of international investors and was founded by executives with experience in retailing some of the most prestigious British and European luxury and high-performance car brands around the world.

The engineering team is led by Alastair Macqueen, responsible for the development of the Jaguar XJ220 supercar and a winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with both Jaguar and Bentley.

The Hemera will be shown in Frankfurt as a prototype. Sales launch is targeted for next year.

Eterniti says it will use an existing, unidentified SUV platform, which will undergo a rebuild from the chassis up, with a new, repackaged interior, carbon-composite body panels and additional performance tweaks.

Speculation is the Hemera is based on the Porsche Cayenne.

Eterniti’s Hemera.

A London hub will feature a showroom, car build and service center, and a separate studio where customers can discuss their requirements and create a bespoke specification for their cars, which will be produced on-site by British craftsmen and technicians.

The London facilities will open later this year, with showrooms in key international cities to follow in 2012.