How’d They Do That?
Car companies traditionally unveil a new model with a slow drive on stage, a hushed opening of velvet curtains or even a cameo appearance by Toby Keith. For the debut of the 2011 M, Infiniti sought something a little less traditional — so avant garde, in fact, that the folks lined up to see the new car were wowed by an electronically reproduced 3-D facsimile instead. Infiniti debuted both the Essence coupe and the 2011 M sedan at the 59th annual Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance, but only the Essence was actually there. For their latest trick illusion, Infiniti built their new M from the inside out in front of the audience in what it called the world’s first “virtual only” presentation of a new car. The three-dimensional M then proceeded to accelerate down a highway stretching the length of the stage. So how’d they do it? It was all smoke and mirrors. Or, more like foam, projectors and a lot of software. Lifelike? You bet. But kick those tires and you’d get a foot full of foam and most
