Infiniti Prototype 10 Concept Reviews

....just caught by Carparazzi during testing at the Nurburgring.It's heavily camouflaged but likely to take its design cues from the Emerg-E concept car, while also sharing mechanical parts with the new Benz C-Class range. 

New names always attract attention at car shows and when you’ve got a stand full of them, they’re bound to stand out. That’s the enviable situation Australia’s newest prestige carmaker, Infiniti, find

Nissan is pulling a Toyota (Lexus) with its parallel premium brand called Infiniti. It took Lexus years to make inroads into the local market and even now, pales against the Germans.But obviously Nissan thinks Infiniti can cut it with the big boys as the brand lobs this month with a couple of dealers and a couple of cars; the FX, a mid-size luxury SUV priced from $83,900 and the M medium large luxury sedan from $85,900.Infiniti's full dealer network is yet to be established - at least one in each capital city and possibly a few in major regional centres. Infiniti execs are pretty confident of success with their American-centric cars. The two on offer first up have plenty of appeal and are really different from anything else on offer.The FX is up against Audi Q7, BMW X5/X6, Mercedes ML and Lexus RX. It comes fully equipped as standard unlike German competitors which have extensive and expensive options. The M sedan competes with the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Lexus GS offering generous luxury equipment levels, way beyond what the competition offers as standard.But metallic paint is $1500 extra...Both vehicles have a four year/100,000km warranty and a generous roadside assistance program with provisions for accommodation, accident coordination, alternate vehicle supply.FX has been around for quite a while and consequently, has older technology. It is powered by a choice of V6 petrol or diesel engines and a 287kW petrol V8 of 5.0-litres rated at 13.1L/100km. The M is all V6-powered with a choice of petrol, diesel or hybrid power trains.The hybrid is the performance model with a total output of 268kW. It's more economical than the diesel and will also operate in full electric mode up to 100km/h if there is enough battery charge. All models have seven-speed automatic transmissions with downshift rev matching and paddle shifters.Drive in the FX is on demand all wheel drive depending on available traction. It defaults to rear wheel drive with the front axle engaged as needed. The M is a conventional rear-wheel drive only. Digital technology abounds in both vehicles especially in the M. Both have Bose audio and the M gets a noise cancelling system to assist quiet running.Incoming cabin air goes through air-conditioning with humidity control, aromatherapy and a grapeseed polyphenol filter to decrease allergies. Four wheel steering is featured on the top of the line M and the FX has an auto tailgate.They are Japanese-made vehicles specifically designed for Americans which explains the overt styling with plenty of chrome and a macho look to the frontal area. Aussies should like them. The FX looks lower and wider than a BMW X5 for a dynamic, road-holding appearance. The M is a touch of S-Type Jag in feel and appearance. Rear seat room in both vehicles is generous and there's plenty of boot space in both models except in the M hybrid which suffers battery intrusion in the boot.Five stars from Euro NCAP for the FX but the M has yet to be tested.There is more of a sense of being in a Lexus than a German car from inside both vehicles - high quality build, tasteful amounts of bling, a quiet environment and a feeling of super-refined engines. They are performance oriented vehicles, underlined during our test drive. All engines offer strong performance across a wide rev range matched by sporty handling in both models. High levels of grip doesn't mean a harsh ride, as it’s "plush" over broken patches of road. The Bose noise-cancelling system works a treat, aided by double-glazed windows.The M sedan will appeal to those looking for something different. And the FX is a big, luxury SUV that will appeal to those looking for something different.

The vehicle in question is more than just a new car. The M sedan launches a brand: Infiniti. It's the premium arm of Japanese maker Nissan, in much the same way Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota. It arrives here as part of a global strategy to expand beyond the US.It defines itself as a challenger brand for those who don't follow the luxury crowd. Carlos Ghosn, the charismatic leader of the Renault-Nissan group, says: “Infiniti is not about being all things to all people, but everything to some people.”With a 500,000 sales target dangling like a noose over his appointment, de Nysschen focuses on the fundamentals. “I don't live or die by the number.” He says it's more important to focus on the product, organisation, retail network and pleasing the customer and if you get all those things right...the sales absolutely will follow.VALUEThe large SUV Infiniti FX is priced from $83,900, while the large sedan Infiniti M is slightly more expensive priced from $85,900. The M goes up against the BMW 5 Series/Mercedes E-Class/Audi A6 and brings four-wheel steering, active noise cancelling and, happily, a hay fever-free cabin to the brand's tech showcase.If Infiniti is to claim a significant share, it will need to move quickly to its next generation of products and fill out its range. As a value proposition and break from the norm, it will attract a few. Like Audi, Infiniti must offer better value to lure people away from the established luxury leaders. “We will price directly against the competition but in terms of overall equipment, the content of our package will be a bit richer,” he says.“We will use that additional value to offset for the customer what is still to be done in building the brand awareness, presence and recognition.” But he believes that Infiniti can avoid falling into a “value trap” of always undercutting your rivals -- something that in China, especially, undermines brand status. Two more models are due this year. The G37 coupe and hard-top convertible are now halfway through a model cycle that starts afresh next year with the arrival of a sedan pitched at junior executives.DESIGN AND GADGETSThe Infiniti execs charged with taking the company global have jetted into the Gold Coast hinterland to explain how a brand that finished seventh in the US luxury charts last year will climb into the top tier alongside the Germans. When a car presentation turns to unusual cabin gadgets, alarm bells ring. If the somersaulting cup-holder is cutting edge, then the engineering priorities were surely wrong.If a fingerprint reader is essential, the car must be sorely deficient somewhere else. I'm being distracted by tinsel and it's the oldest trick in the book. But I'm listening intently to an explanation of a plasma cluster and can't get enough of the grape polyphenol filter. I can just about follow it through my constant sniffs. They sound -- the gadgets, not my sniffs -- like gimmicks but a chance they'll work means I'm interested.TECHNOLOGYIn Australia, Infiniti's 48th market, it begins with two products, the M large sedan mentioned above and the FX large SUV (see panel). A hybrid driveline is available in the top-spec M or two V6s, petrol and diesel. Its V6s are shared with the M and the diesel, sampled at the event, hauled four plus luggage with ease and refinement.Meanwhile the brand's commitment to alternative drivelines was flagged by a striking sportscar concept called Emerg-e at Geneva earlier this year. It's powered by batteries recharged on the run by an internal combustion engine. It will be reinforced by an all-electric midsize sedan study to be shown in Paris later this month. Both are candidates for production and both leverage the resources of the Renault-Nissan group, which has spent billions trying to get pole position on electric vehicles.DRIVINGAfter a short drive in the hybrid M35h, I can vouch for the air-conditioning. But its claims to be the quickest hybrid remained untested and it's difficult not to be aware of its US market origins, with evidence in features such as a foot-operated park brake. Ride and refinement were strong, but from behind the wheel it felt remote.For a “challenger brand”, leading with such a traditional luxury car is itself a challenge. The FX’s dare-to-be-different design works more successfully and although it has similar stateside traits to the M, it was more interesting from behind the wheel.VERDICTDespite being older, the FX was easier to like and should be more popular here.Infiniti MPrice: from $85,900Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel; 3.7-litre V6 petrol; hybrid 3.5- litre V8 petrol plus electric motorOutputs: 175kW and 550N (M30d); 235kW and 360Nm (M37); 268kW combined (M35h)Transmission: seven-speed auto, rear-wheel driveInfiniti FXPrice: from $83,900Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 diesel; 3.7-litre V6 petrol; 5.0-litre V8 petrolOutputs: 175kW and 550Nm (FX30d); 235kW and 360Nm (FX37); 287kW andTransmission: seven-speed auto, all-wheel drive

Infiniti is back in Australia after a hiatus of 15 years and this time around is determined to become a major player in the premium area of the automotive arena.VALUEHeading the new Infiniti lineup is a sedan simply called the ‘Infiniti M’. The M range starts from $85,900 for the automatic M37 GT to the M35h GT Premium which starts from $99,900.The marketing guys tell us the Infiniti M is aimed at the sports luxury market currently occupied by BMW and Audi and to a lesser extent by Mercedes-Benz. But we feel it’s the technology guys who will become its biggest fans as it’s simply crammed with tech features, some of which haven’t been offered before.Incidentally, BMW is the only other marque to give buyers the choice between petrol, diesel and hybrid powerplants, in its 5 Series. (On a side note it’s good to see that the numbers in the Infiniti’s names - 37, 35, 30 - genuinely indicate the capacity of the engines, unlike the BMW powerplants where the numbering system has gone totally haywire in recent times!).Tech features abound in the new Infiniti, some of these are used in other premium European and Japanese cars, but are taken to further levels in the Infiniti.Radar cruise control is very simple to engage and seems to read the driver¹s mind the moment it¹s switched on.Infiniti drives who don¹t adjust the car¹s outside mirrors correctly are looked after by a blind-spot warning system. This is not an unusual feature these days, but Infiniti takes it one step further by also looking after drivers who aren¹t paying attention. If they wander from their lane the Infiniti M will apply the brakes on one side of the car to help steer it out of danger.DESIGNStyling is very much aimed at the sporting buyer, with a low-slung look, but with high wheel arches and a distinctive radiator grille. We find the appearance a bit untidy in places, with some bulgy bits that don¹t quite work. But there¹s no doubt that Infinitis stand out from the automotive crowd and that¹s more important than ever these days.Sound reduction in the cabin not only has the usual strengthening and noise damping items, but also uses active noise cancelling of the type seen in headphones used by travellers. Working in conjunction with Bose, a longtime expert in the field, Infiniti engineers have managed to further reduce interior noise.Having said that, all cars in this class, and indeed in lower-cost classes, are very quiet these days, so the added sound reduction in the Infiniti, while obviously there, isn¹t all that great.TECHNOLOGYInfiniti M is offered in three distinct models, the Infiniti M37 is powered by a 3.7-litre 235 kW V6 petrol engine; Infiniti M30d uses a 175 kilowatt 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel; we found the Infiniti M35h is the most interesting of them all, having a petrol-electric drivetrain using a 3.5-litre 225 kW petrol V6 and a parallel electric motor that can produce up to 50 kilowatts of power.Note that the maximum output from the M35h is 268 kW as the petrol and electric motors aren’t both delivering their best output simultaneously. In the way of all electric motors the Infiniti’s produces big torque at low revs, whereas the petrol engine concentrates on mid and upper levels.SAFETYInfiniti safety features include Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Pre-Crash Safety Belts (front seats only). Should you still crash the Infiniti M has dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted side impact airbags on the front seats, and roof-mounted curtain airbags.Infiniti drivers who don’t adjust the car’s outside mirrors correctly are looked after by a blind-spot warning system. This is not an unusual feature these days, but Infiniti takes it one step further by also looking after drivers who aren’t paying attention. If they wander from their lane the Infiniti M will apply the brakes on one side of the car to help steer it out of danger.DRIVINGWe have driven several models in the Infiniti M, including all three power trains, and have come away impressed by their sporting nature. Steering is precise and nicely weighted and gives the driver the feel that the car is very much working with them.Ride comfort is generally good, though some harsh Aussie roads did let bumps come through at times. To us as driving enthusiasts this occasional lack of comfort is quite acceptable.Our initial test drives in the south-east Queensland hinterland showed the Infiniti hybrid to have immense amounts of torque for climbing hills with ease and overtaking with maximum safety.Every Infiniti M model uses a seven-speed automatic transmission and, in the manner of upmarket European sedans, are driven by their rear wheels. The engine is set well back under the bonnet to further enhance the front-mid layout. This results in excellent handling balance that we really appreciated in the challenging roads on which we reviewed several Infiniti M models.A disadvantage of having the engines set well back in rear-drive cars is that the gearbox intrudes into the cabin, resulting in relatively limited foot width for those in the front seats.RANGEThe complete Infiniti M range is:M37 GT: from $85,900 (automatic)M37 S Premium: from $97,900 (automatic)M30d GT: from $87,900 (automatic)M30d S Premium: from $99,900 (automatic)M35h GT Premium: from $99,900 (automatic) Infiniti M37Prices: from $85,900 (GT), $97,900 (Premium)Engine:3.7l petrol V6, 235kW/360NmTransmission: 7-spd auto, RWDThirst: 10.2L/100km; 235g/km (CO2)Infiniti M30dPrices: from $87,900 (GT), $99,900 (Premium)Engine: 3.0l turbo-diesel V6, 175kW/550NmTransmission: 7-spd auto, RWDThirst: 7.5L/100km; 199g/km (CO2)Infiniti M35h SPrice: from $99,900Engine: 3.5l petrol V6 hybrid, 268kW/350Nm+270NmTransmission: 7-spd auto, RWDThirst: 6.9L/100km; 159g/km (CO2)Warranty: 4yrs/100,000kmService: 10,000km/6mths

Our newest brand has stalled on the starting line. Infiniti is to Nissan what Lexus is to Toyota. Except Lexus has a host of models and dealers all over the country while Infiniti has launched with just two models, two dealers and no showrooms yet.Over the next few months a Melbourne dealer will join Sydney and Brisbane and their showrooms will be open. Dealerships in Adelaide and Perth will follow by the end of next year. It's a big call for the American-centric brand and none of the global chiefs who attended the press launch on the Sunshine Coast last week is shying away from the fact.But at least the two models they have launched are quality vehicles that will target growing sectors where customers seem to be seeking even wider choice. The models are the FX mid-sized luxury SUV and the M luxury saloon.The FX is competitive on price with the Audi Q7, BMW X5/X6, Mercedes ML and Lexus RX. It's a larger vehicle than the Lexus, but like its Japanese colleague, it comes with a full suite of standard features while the Germans charge substantially more for those "extras".The M competes with the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Lexus GS, and has a similar high level of standard features. However, both models charge an eyebrow-raising $1500 for metallic paint.Warranty is four years and 100,000km which seems low kilometres for our wide, brown land.Resale is not yet established, but Infiniti won a major award in Canada for residual values. Infiniti says services can only be done at qualified centres and with just two dealers currently in Australia that could be problematic.However, their generous roadside assistance program has provisions for accommodation, accident coordination, alternate vehicle supply and will even extend to Infiniti customers' other cars or other vehicles they are driving but don't even own. Infiniti Australia general manager Kevin Snell expects the FX will account for about 80 per cent of sales.FX is the older model of the two and comes with older technology. It is powered by a choice of V6 petrol or diesel engines and a 287kW five-litre petrol V8 that guzzles fuel at 13.1L/100km.The M range is all V6-powered with a petrol, diesel and hybrid set-up. The latter has an impressive total output of 268kW that sips fuel at a lower rate than the diesel. It will also operate in full electric mode up to 100km/h if there is enough battery charge.Snell expects only 10 per cent will opt for the V8 or the hybrid models while the others will be evenly split. All models have seven-speed automatic transmissions with downshift rev matching and magnesium paddle shifters. Drive in the FX is via an intelligent system that defaults to 100 per cent rear-wheel drive and delivers up to 50 per cent torque to the front wheels when the lights go green, when the back wheels start to slip or in cornering.The M is a more traditional rear-wheel drive. The analogue clock on the centre console of both vehicles is contradictory to the digital technology that abounds, especially in the M. While both have Bose sound systems, the M includes active noise cancellation that is similar to Bose headphones.There are two microphones in the ceiling that monitor engine noise between 2000-6000 revs, and then creates a reverse soundwave to cancel that sound. It works whether the sound system is on or off, but it doesn't negate road noise and it deactivates if you open a window or door.You can breathe easy in the saloon which has a "Forest Air" airconditioning system with humidity control, a grapeseed polyphenol filter to decrease allergies, airflow that replicates natural breezes, aroma tropical oils that can reduce stress levels of occupants, sensors that switch between fresh and recirculating air depending on oxygen levels and aromas, and an ion generator to remove bacteria and smells.M also has active four-wheel steering in the top trim level where the back wheels turn the same direction as the front. At up to 40km/h the front wheels turn more than the back, but at higher speeds, the back wheels steer more. FX has an auto tailgate which is a must with any SUV with such a large rear door.These Japanese-made vehicles are specifically designed for Americans, so there are some bold slaps of chrome and a macho grille outside and fake wood, big cup holders and wide, wide seats inside.But neither will offend Aussie tastes.The FX is actually a delicate and almost feminine design that looks more like a Porsche Cayenne than the macho X5. It's also lower and wider than an X5 for a very dynamic, road-holding appearance. There is a Jaguar S Type feeling about the exterior design of the M and a not unlike Jag feeling of gentlemanly glamour in the cabin.Rear seat accommodation in both vehicles is generous although the transmission and seat hump in the middle of the back row means being the fifth person is a little uncomfortable. There is also plenty of boot space in both models, except in the M hybrid which positions the large battery behind the rear seats leaving a puny amount of luggage space.FX has been crash tested in Europe for a five-star result, while the M has yet to be tested. Both come with a suite of standard safety features including six airbags, rearview cameras and blind spot warning.Product planning manager Zac Loo says the M has two world firsts in safety: blind spot intervention and total surround view, both available in the Premium trim. They go further than similar systems found in most other luxury cars.The flagship M models also get distance control assist which is similar to adaptive cruise control, but way better.Instead of only working when you select a speed at which to cruise, when this system is activated, it works at any speed whether you have selected cruise speed or not.It also actively warns when you are closing on a vehicle in front too quickly by pushing back on the accelerator. If you are closing to overtake, then you can easily override the system by pressing harder on the throttle.Since it's designed for litigious Americans there is a plethora of annoying warning beeps that you have to manually disengage to preserve your sanity. Neither model has a full-size spare. Instead, they get a mix of a repair kit or temporary tyres depending on trim level and model.Infiniti Australia managing director and CEO Bill Peffer hates being comparisons with Lexus, but it's unavoidable. There is more of a sense of being in a Lexus than a German car when you ride in either of these vehicles.Both have high quality build, tasteful amounts of bling, a quiet environment and a feeling of super-refined engines. Peffer says their vehicles are more performance oriented and a quick dash through the hills and dales of the Sunshine Coast hinterland testify to that.All engine variants we tried were strong and powerful and the cars and SUVs handled with a nimble agility expected of much smaller vehicles. The four-wheel steering takes some getting used to, initially feeling dead and then becoming more alive as your hands relax and stop fighting for control.Certainly the old "Elk test" (a high-speed swerve-and-recover test) is much more controllable with four-wheel steering, cancelling any whiplash effect. It also pays dividends in tight and twisty sections of smooth tarmac, however the diesel models feels more nose heavy with a slower turn into corners.There is plenty of grip available in both models yet the ride is on the plush side over the broken patches of country road pummeled by milk trucks. Seats are big and wide without a lot of support, so you slide around in corners, but they are comfortable with a supple leather.Some of that Lexus quietness is due to the Bose noise-cancelling system as well as double-glazed windows, yet there is still some road noise evident. As for the Forest Air, we noticed a faint diesel smell as we tailgated a colleague in the diesel model for a while, but it quickly disappeared again.We love the distance control assist system and would prefer it as the default setting rather than having to turn it on every time you get in the car. You can't even program the computer to accept it as a default.The M sedan is bristling with technology and style that should attract those who are tired of the competitors and crave something different. The FX is a big and comfortable luxury SUV that will appeal to those who aren't particularly concerned with fuel prices. A hybrid is not coming until the next model.

Nissan's luxury brand, Infiniti, will have a dealership in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley with AP Eagers and another in East Sydney with Suttons, but has announced that a deal with Penfolds in Melbourne has fallen through.However, the Sydney dealer will not open its showroom for two more weeks while the Brisbane showroom will open in seven weeks. Infiniti Australia general manager Kevin Snell said a new Melbourne dealer would be announced in the next three to four weeks with a showroom open by Christmas.He was speaking last week at the Sunshine Coast media launch of the M sedan ($85,900-$99,900) and FX SUV ($83,900-$114,900). Snell said they were not hampered by the lack of dealers or showrooms. He said the brand had a comprehensive data base from their website and public displays of the cars at the Formula One in Melbourne and Cirque de Soleil events around the country.Snell also confirmed they would have their new models plus two coming models the G Coupe and Convertible at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October. “In the past six months more than 10,000 people have visited the website and we collected more than 200 expressions of interest at the F1 in February,” Snell said.“Our marketing starts next week and we'll have a heavy emphasis on the FX. “We expect to make (dealer) appointments in Perth and Adelaide in the next six months.” Infiniti Australia managing director and CEO Bill Peffer said the Australian market was one of the most crowded in the world with 65 brands. “We offer a new choice for customers that don't follow the rest of the crowd,” he said.“First we have to get the brand awareness established. We're not pushing for volume; we want to establish the brand.” Peffer said Infiniti would be a separate entity to Nissan, but would access the Nissan financial service for loans. “That will be a huge advantage for us,” he said. 

The upscale Japanese brand is making big promises to match its meaty pricetags, aiming straight at the pacesetters in the luxury class. People who like BMW-style performance and Lexus-style pampering are the targets in Australia. The hero car for the aggressive upstart is the FX crossover, but there is also the M sedan from August and the promise of as many as 10 new models - starting with a compact hatch shared with Mercedes-Benz and priced from $50,000 - inside five years. Infiniti refuses to set sales targets, or get specific about much beyond its first three dealerships - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane - and four start-up cars, but is still talking up its chances. "These are bold cars. We're a performance luxury car, we're not a traditional conservative car," the head of Infiniti Australia, Kevin Snell, tells Carsguide. "We don't do base models that are under-powered. We're not going after low-spec or low-power prestige brands that are bought for the badge, these are cars for people who want to drive." The FX SUV is the headliner for Infiniti, with prices that run from $83,900 for an FX 37 GT with 3.7-litre V6 through - for now - to $85,900 for the FX30d with 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel. But there will eventually be a FX50 at $114,900, complete with a 287 kiloWatt V8. The mid-sized Infiniti M sedan starts with a 3.7-litre V6 at $85,900 and runs to the M35 with 3.5-litre V6 hybrid power train at $99,900. Late in the year there will also be G coupe and convertible models, with prices still to be revealed, although Australia will not get a G sedan until the arrival of an all-new model in around 18 months. But Snell confirms a Lexus-style approach to equipment levels, with full-loaded specification sheets - big wheels, punchy audio, leather, bi-xenon headlamps and much more, across the Infiniti family. There are a couple of extra equipment packs, but Infiniti is avoiding a never-ending BMW style list of options. "We think the FX looks best with 20-inch wheels, so that's what it has. Standard," Snell says. He also trumpets a four-year warranty package with premium roadside assistance that even includes family breakdowns in non-Infiniti cars. But there is nothing from him on the tough stuff - numbers. "We're not trying to sell thousands of cars in our first year. It's three dealers and four cars," he says. "It's a controlled launch. We're going for a trickle-down approach. I'm not going to give a specific sales number." But, in reality - and BMW style - Infiniti is going first for the early adopters who are prepared to splash their cash for something new and different and - perhaps - a bit special. "We're a 'challenger' brand. Modern and progressive. We believe we've got the product and the brand," Snell says. So it's BMW on the driving front and Lexus for customer service, with the Japanese brand in the cross-hairs. "We want to be the number one alternative to the established European makes. I can't control what Lexus does, but I can control what we do." Snell prefers to forget the first failed attempt to bring Infiniti to Australia, back in the late 1980s when it went up against - and lost to - Lexus, which had its first LS400 against the Infiniti Q45. "We were in Australia once before, but only with one car. It's a very different brand, company and market." Snell is aggressive and ambitious and he knows he is going to have a lot of Infiniti cars in coming years. So he's talking big but prepared for a long battle. "We'll build the network over 5-6 years, build the range over 5-6 years, build the awareness. It's a long-term strategy," he says. "This is just the start, just the tip of the iceberg, of what Infiniti is going to offer over the next 4-5 years."  

Infiniti's new M35h is easily the best hybrid I have driven to date. Think of the electric motor as a new age turbocharger and not an economy option, because this carreally goes.That's not to say the car's not economical, because it is at less than 7.0 litres/100km. But thinking of the hybrid in strictly these terms does the car a grave injustice - because it's much more than that.The rear-wheel drive Infiniti M sedan is one of two models that will lead the Japanese luxurycarmaker's return to our shores in August. The other is the all-wheel drive FX crossover.BACKGROUNDInfiniti is the luxury arm of Nissan, in much the same way as Lexus is the luxury extension of the Toyota brand. It's been around for over 20 years, but until now has made cars primarily for the US market.It did however sell a single luxury model here in the early 90s called the Q45, a sedan that retailed for $145,000 of which the company sold a grand total of 132. Over the years successive Nissan CEOs have vowed Infiniti would one day return, but not until it had a full range of vehicles to offer. That day has finally arrived.WHAT WE GETNothing brand spanking new in gloal terms but certainly nothing we've laid eyes on before. Ironically the crescent-shaped badge bears a passing resemblance to China's Great Wall Motors which unfortunately has been on the scene longer.The fourth generation M sedan was launched overseas in 2011 and is the newest of the vehicles coming our way. It will arrive in 3.7-litre petrol V6 guise, 3.0-litre turbo diesel form and the aforementioned 3.5-litrepetrol-electric hybrid petrol.Surprisingly, the hybrid with a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 secs is the fastest of the trio and billed as the fastest accelerating production series hybrid in the world. The other car at launch will be the FX, a large SUV about the size of a Nissan Murano.Launched 2009 the second generation FX will be available with a 3.5-litre petrol V6, 5.0-litre petrol V8 and 3.0-litre turbo diesel. Both vehicles share the same platform and both are built in Japan. They will be followed in November by the G sports coupe and convertibles.HOW MUCH?These are luxury vehicles and as such don't expect them to be cheap. They are designed to go head to head with the Germans (Benz, BMW and Audi), not to mention Lexuswhich by virtue of its Japanese origins will by default be seen as its natural enemy.Infiniti however argues its cars are sportier, driver-orientated cars that will appeal to a wider crosssection of buyers, especially younger buyers looking for something other than what the establishment drives. Infiniti has not revealed pricing yet, but its competitor models provide a strong indicator.Think $80K and upwards for M and probably around the same mark for the FX. Like the price features and final specifications are still to be determined, making it difficult to say what is or is not standard at this stage. Some models will come with 4-wheel active steer, sports suspension and 20 inch alloys.THE MWe only got to drive the M35h hybrid at a preview event in New Zealand this week. The drivetrain consists of a 3.5-litre petrol V6 that puts out 225kW of power and an electric motor that adds another 50kW to the equation, for a combined total output of 268kW (6.9 litres/100km).Maximum torque from the petrol engine is 350Nm, with another 270Nm available from the electricmotor - but no figure is provided for the total torque output which is difficult to quantify. It's a parallel hybrid that provides full decoupling of the V6 when the car is in electric mode orregenerating power.The M37's 3.7-litre V6 puts out 235kW of power and 360Nm of torque (10.2 litres/100km), while the M30d turbo diesel is good for 175kW and 550Nm of torque (7.5 litres/100km). Neither provide the same kind of performance or economy as the hybrid.All three are fitted with a 7-speed automatic with a facility to change gears manually, although the hybrid's auto is a little different with an electronic clutch instead of a torque convertor.THE FXWe were able to drive the FX37 and FX50. Like the M37 the FX37's 3.7-litre V6 produces 235kW of power and 360Nm of torque (12.1litres/100km). It's basically the same engine as in the superb Nissan 370Z along with the 7-speed tranny too.It's interesting they didn't opt for a CVT which seems to be the preferred option in the Nissan-Renault Alliance. Similarly the diesel generates the same 175kW and 550Nm (9.0 litres/100km) while the grunty 5.0-litre V8 pumps out an impressive 287kW and 500Nm (13.1 litres/100km). The petrol engines all prefer top drawer 98RON unleaded but will accept 95 Premium.SAFETYThe FX has been crash tested in Europe where it scored five stars, but has not received a rating from the Australian authority yet which has even more stringent regulations these days that have seen some vehicles score only four. The M is yet to be tested.Suffice to say the cars come with a full complement of safey equipment, including six airbags, stability control and forward collision warning with intelligent brake assist that automaticly applies the brakes if a collision with the car in front is imminent (and the driver hasn't braked).The FX takes lane departure warning to the next level with Lane Departure Assist that automatically applies the brakes on one side of the vehicle to bring it back into the confines of the lane if the driver strays.BIG SOUNDThe 16-speaker Bose sound system in the hybrid we drove is the most advanced Bose system available in any car in the world, with active noise cancellation just like hi-end headphones. It includes two personal speakers mounted in the top of each front seat and can be teamed with a satnavguidance system that provides a 9.3Gb worth of music storage to which you can download your CDs or stream audio from Bluetooth phones or audio devices like iPods.THE DRIVEThe roads around Queenstown in New Zealand's South Island provide plenty of scope to put the cars through their paces. Of the three cars that we drove the hybrid M35h stood out in terms of performance and refinement.NZ's coarse chip roads generate a lot of tyre noise, but the hybrid was noticeably quieter and morerefined. Straightline performance is strong, with plenty in reserve for quick, sharp overtakes and the carremained surefooted in often damp conditions.A console mounted dial allows the driver to select from four driving modes: Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow. The steering in the hybrid is electro-hydraulic and feels direct and responsive, with wheel mountedgear change paddles.The result is a car that is engaging and satisfying to drive, and its appeal grows the more you drive it. We don't normally get excited about hybrids but we'll make an exception in this case. Of the two FX models that we drove, the V8 was by far and away the nicer drive, not just because it has more power but because it was more refined, more composed and held the road more confidently.In normal operation the FX remains predominantly rear wheel drive, with torque transferred to the front wheels as required. Both cars were fitted with the sports pack that includes sports suspension and 21 inch wheels, with 265/45 series rubber.The active damping system modulates the shocks, allowing the driver to dial in a firmer ride - with auto and sport settings. On the downside we found the transmission a little slow to hook up, more so in the V6 and the stability system cut in too early at times. We look froward to driving the diesels when they become available.FINAL THOUGHTSThe jury is out on the styling. At the very least it is going to get the cars noticed and that for a new entry is not such a bad thing. The M looks generic from some angles while the FX with its long bonnet and chromed side ventsexudes an air of aggression. We note however the boot in the hybrid is hatchback size and could be an issue while it is necessary to watch your head getting in and out of the FX with its plunging roofline. There's certainly a smorgasboard of features available but which we will have to pay extra for remainsto be seen.Infiniti concedes it will not be trying to undercut competitor prices, but rather float a value for money arguement, with a strong emphasis on delivering a rich flexible customer experience. Lexus of course is stifll trying to crack the German nut so it will be fascinating if nothing else to see what impact the new comer has?2012 Infiniti M35hPrice: from $80,000Engine: 3.5-litre petrol V6, 268kWTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 6.9 litres/100km