We weren’t on hand personally to see the new Infiniti M’s “virtual reveal” this past weekend, but we did swing by the tent later to check out the static display. The new M incorporates a lot of the design language of the sexy Essence concept that we showed you earlier in our coverage of the concept lawn. We were pretty impressed, so we dug up this video of the actual reveal ceremony for you viewing enjoyment. Make the jump to watch the new M in virtual action.

So how’d they do it? It’s called “video mapping,” which you probably won’t be surprised to learn that is an illusion utilizing sophisticated projectors beaming an image of the car onto a 3D model of the car (or, as an oldtimer might say, the “buck.”) Despite being the automotive equivalent of a cool parlor trick, it really worked to convey how the lines would look in real life – always a challenge when there’s the chance that photos will convey a seriously different message.

[Source: Youtube]