The new Hemera, by Eterniti Motors, is the world’s first super SUV, according to the newly formed London-based, boutique automaker that recently made its public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show this past September. 

While automotive-industry pundits see this vehicle positioned in the luxury SUV section of the lot alongside the BMW X6 and the Porsche Cayenne, its anticipated base price of more than $238,000 would offer sufficient fodder to place these hand-built SUVs in a niche all its own. The company seeks to position the Eterniti brand next to Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, and other acclaimed supercar status automakers of distinction. 


A factory in London to accommodate the constructing of the custom-built SUVs will be completed by year's end per a company press release. There also are plans for another SUV, which will be derived from the Hemera, and a high-performance supercar.  

The prototype only of Hemera was introduced. The entire, completed model will arrive in soon-to-open Eterniti-owned showrooms in London in 2012 and in Tokyo and Taipei by 2013. An Asia-Pacific hub, in Hong Kong, also is slated to open in 2012 per a company-issued statement. Further, a center in China is expected to open in 2013. A response to our request to know whether its super SUV would be available in the U.S. market was not provided from the automaker at the time this article posted, and no information on U.S. availability is otherwise obtainable at this time.


The new luxury automaker of London is doing social media with a Twitter account and a Facebook page with updates that include several images of the brand new Hemera. Less than 100 people currently like the new firms' new Facebook page. The prototype Hemera shown in Frankfurt, at the auto show, is representative of what the final-production version of its super SUV will closely resemble. However, only the body had made its debut, while the interior will be introduced later this year. 

The Eterniti’s 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine metes out 620 horsepower and has a top speed in excess of 180 mph. Lightweight carbon-composite body panels enhance the vehicle's agility and handling. Its chassis is rebuilt from the VW Group’s large SUV frame.  The rear cabin will be laid out like the back of a fully stocked limousine. Independently operated electric-powered reclining rear seats, with individual temperature controls, will be there as well as two iPads with wireless keyboards and a chiller for drinks. The vehicles can also be fully customized.      


The new deluxe carmaker is building its supercar status luxury brand in the fast lane with the help of some of the most heralded and regarded professionals of the industry, such as Alastair Macqueen and Johnny Herbert (pictured above). Mr. Macqueen, the head of engineering on the Hemera, also is a winner of three Le Mans 24 Hour races.

Additionally, he was the head of development for the Jaguar XJ220 supercar. Mr. Herbert has also won three Grand Prix races during his 10-year career as a Formula One driver. Both men worked with the Formula One constructor, Eddie “EJ” Jordan. 

The base price of a hand-built, bespoke Hemera SUV will be in the £150,000 range. For further details, visit EternitiMotors.com.