What is it?
At a glance, nothing more than a tuned and customised Porsche Cayenne, which makes us wonder how Eterniti can get away with claiming that the Hemera is the world's first super-SUV. We'll give the new British company the benefit of doubt for the moment, as it has plans that go much further. The Hemera itself is indeed based on the underpinnings of the Cayenne, though apparently every exterior body panel is new and fashioned from carbon-composite. The headlights will be replaced by bespoke items when the car is launched in 2012. Under the bonnet is a 620bhp version of Porsche's twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 and a top speed of 180mph is claimed. Eterniti reckons it'll cost from £150,000, though there'll be a high degree of customisation available, including twin electrically-reclining rear seats.
Why's it here?
To launch a completely new car company and brand. In fairness to Eterniti there is no better place to do it and, despite the wealth of new metal in Frankfurt, the Hemera did garner a lot of interest. Pity that the stand is hidden away, almost between show halls. Eterniti is based in London and will hand-build the cars there, with other 'boutique' sales outlets planned for Tokyo and Taipei by the end of 2012. Once the network is established Eterniti hopes to work on a sports car of its own too.
Show stopper or floor filler?
The hype suggests that the Eterniti stand itself should be a show stopper, but the Hemera doesn't quite live up to that promise. We realise it's not the finished product so hopefully the showroom car will be less like the Porsche it's based on.
Frankfurt Motor Show
Shane O' Donoghue - 19 Sep 2011
