Infiniti Prototype 10 Concept Reviews

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 

Money talks. but Infiniti won't reveal prices or spec details until closer to the late-August launch of Australia's newest luxury brand.That makes rating it in the prestige hierarchy — Lexus, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — all but impossible.Infiniti Cars Australia general manager Kevin Snell says he won't chase volume by making it a "budget prestige" brand. "That just defeats the purpose of being in this market. People buy these types on vehicles on value and image, not price," he says."The younger Gen Y buyers are looking for something different. In many cases they see European prestige cars as representing their parents' values."So Infiniti wants to be different, right down to the design of its cars with the signature bulging front guars pushing up in to the bonnet. Snell knows the look won't suit the conservative crowd — and is happy about it.THE RANGEThe FX all-wheel drive SUVs are expected to account for more than 80 per cent Infiniti cars for the first 12-18 months, headlined by the V8-powered FX50S.The M35h hybrid will be the only sedan in the line-up at launch but will be followed by the small-sized G Coupe and G Convertible towards the end of the year and the next-generation G sedan is due in late 2013.Infiniti can tap the resources of Nissan and Renault and has grabbed two of the best engines in the alliance's inventory in the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel from Renault and the 3.7-litre petrol V6 that is best known in Nissan's sporty 370Z.PRICINGWith no news from the Australian arm, a look at the British Infiniti website shows the FX range has four basic spec levels, GT, GT Premium, S and S Premium. Prices start around $74,000 for the base FX37, with the diesel engined FX30d just $135 more. At the top of the tree, the FX50S Premium sells for $92,500. In comparison, BMW's X6 range — the closest in terms of looks to the FX — starts at $74,200 in the UK for the xDrive30d, steps up to $75,500 for the xDrive35i and costs $92,000 for the xDrive50i. The range-topping, turbodiesel xDrive50d adds another $8000. Expect local prices to be more than the UK figures but still on a par with Infiniti's Euro rivals.DRIVINGThe focus on performance is obvious in all the cars during a brief drive in New Zealand this week. They go hard and hold the road better than a high-riding 2.1-tonne vehicle should be able to.FX37 normally rolls on 20-inch rims but the test vehicles were S variants with stiffer suspension and 21-inch wheels covered with 265/45 rubber. Tyre noise on the coarse chip surfaces around Queenstown was noticeable from 80km/h up, but it was made more obvious by the lack of wind noise coming off the A-pillars and chunky side mirrors.The FX37 officially uses a litre less fuel over 100km than the V8, but that ain't the case when it's trying to catch its bigger brother. The six-cylinder's fuel use of 14.6L/100km was above the 13.1 Carsguide in the FX50.That was largely due to the transmission kicking down a couple of gears on when attacking hills to keep the 3.7-litre engine revving. The V8 was generally happy to cover the same ground in a higher cog.The BMW X6 has the edge in on-paper performance but in the real world there won't be much between the two vehicles. The heated and ventilated front leather seats in the Infinitis are snug, supportive and stylish and the FX doesn't want for standard kit.It also has the safety software to suit this class, from adaptive cruise control to lane departure warning and a tyre pressure monitoring system. And the sloping roofline that helps give the car its stand-out shape doesn't limit headroom for 180cm-plus rear passengers.VERDICTInfiniti has the vehicles to compete on the road. Now we need to know the value equation to see how the newest prestige player will compete in showrooms. Don't expect the other brands to sit back and watch, though, which can only be good for all potential prestige buyers. .Infiniti FXPrices: TBAWarranty: TBAResale: NAService intervals: TBAEngines: 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6, 175kW/550Nm (FX30d); 3.7-litre V6, 135kW/360Nm (FX37); 5.0-litre V8, 287kW/500Nm (FX50S)Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBody: 4.86m (L), 2.13m (W), 1.68m heightWeight: NAThirst: 9.0L/100km, 238g/km CO2 (FX30d); 12.1L/100km, 282g/km CO2 (FX37); 13.1L/100km, 307g/km CO2 (FX50S)Infiniti M35hPrices: TBAWarranty: TBAResale: NAService intervals: TBAEngine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric hybrid, 268kW/620NmTransmission: Seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Body: 4.95m (L), 2.06m (W), 1.5m (H)Weight: NA Thirst: 6.9L/100km, 158g/km CO2

Infiniti Cars Australia general manager Kevin Snell says the small footprint - both in vehicle range and retail outlets - is an intentional approach to ensure the company can micro-manage its rollout Down Under.Snell says Infiniti will rely on the performance pedigree of its cars and the brand focus on the "customer experience", including home collection and drop-off of cars that need servicing, to help it stand out in a crowded and competitive prestige market."You only get one shot to launch a car brand," Snell says "and we can't afford not to do it properly first time around. We aim to give a point of difference in terms of our customer service and I won't apologise for ensuring we get that right before we go in all guns blazing.""We'd love to be in Perth and Adelaide (at launch) but the reality is we need to make sure the customer experience is right in our first three stores." Those three dealerships will be run by three of the biggest names in the automitve reatail business. Infiniti has appointed the Suttons Motor Group in Sydney, Penfold Motors in Melbourne and A.P. Eagers in Brisbane.Snell says Perth and Adelaide outlets will be added by the end of next year but won't reveal how customers in those cities who want to buy a car now will be serviced. "Like the pricing and sales projections, that will have to wait until August," he says.He also promises Infiniti will rapidly expand its line-up as new models come into the mix. "Between late 2013 and 2016 we'll have six new vehicles," he says. "We absolutely intend to have a full model range - that's the only way we can hit 10 per cent (the global prestige car target for Infiniti)." The launch vehicles include the FX mid-sized SUV with a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, a 3.7-litre petrol V6 and a range-topping 5.0-litre V8. It will be joined by the M sedan, headed by the world's quickest hybrid in the M35h with a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds. 

Most have never exceeded 100kmh, the majority have no idea of what ABS really is or does, and pitifully few would know what to do if their car got into a slide.Advanced driving instructors are appalled at the tuition of so-called driving schools, where people are taught to pass a simple test, but not how to drive, or enjoy a car. Exceptions are enthusiasts, who tend to undergo courses, often run by premium car brands, among them Porsche, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.In a new move, the Audi course, previously open only to owners, will from July be available to anyone keen to improve his or her skills. You don't have to own an Audi. The German brand's Drive Experience program is a $6.8million, 40-car investment presented by a dozen hand-picked instructors which will go around the nation, presenting its benefits at racing circuits, Perth's Barbagallo Raceway included.The training fleet includes  Q-series SUVs, A1 Sport hatches, fiery S and RS models, eight R8 V10s and a brace of full-on R8 LMS racers. Most of the instructors, led by Steve Pizzati, are former Porsche driver trainers, among them Dean Canto, Ian Dyk and Luke Youlden, all graduates of Audi's `train the trainer' course in Austria.The skill-building program covers five levels and each is a full day course. Mit catering. It starts with a $750 advanced `experience' and goes on to an $1190 performance course, which includes racetrack action in RS 5 and R8 models; then there's the $2990 sports car component and it ends with a $5990 Audi Race Experience in the Bathurst-winning R8 LMS.Audi expects only two per cent of its intake to go as far as the race experience. There's also a $5700 Ice Experience, held in New Zealand. We slotted into a quick mix of levels two to four at the Phillip Island circuit, and under expert tutelage, fanged an RS 5 through the slaloms, flung a TT RS through the chicanes and played follow the leader around the GP circuit at ever-increasing speeds in an R8.Had a ball, came back with some newfound skills, a sharper mind and an acute awareness of the abject lack of driving skills on our roads, brought about by the endless dumbing down policies of successive governments. The Audi Experience comes at a cost. But what price life? And if you can get so much fun and driving competence thrown in, isn't it a bargain? 

Accommodating that shift in values was a key theme at the Geneva Motor Show, from high end brands such as Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz to volume sellers such as Volkswagen.  Infiniti's business vice-president Toru Saito says the interconnected nature of the next-gen car buyers the focus must focus on ensuring the car is a mobile IT platform.  "IT is very important because customers are so dependent on their smart phones," he notes. "For many young customers, IT is more important than driving pleasure."  Infiniti feels the pressure, given its target demographic is younger than that of many prestige buyers - though the extensive iPhone integration built into the Mercedes A-Class launched in Geneva shows the German company wants a slice of the market, too.  Dealing with the fact that people change their mobile devices - and the technology improvements that brings - faster than they change their cars is a key challenge for the entire industry.  Saito says Infiniti's approach will be to provide an open interface and software updates to the vehicle to cope with the increasing complexity of mobile devices. Lead designer Shiro Nakamura points to the iPad as a mobile device that may well replace the infotainment system in future cars and be used for everything from satnav to audio control (the screen in smart phones is too small to show satnav and more complex visual displays).  Download an app and the tablet device could then be integrated into the vehicle's electronics to adjust the airconditioning system and interact with other cars to alert drivers to traffic jams. "It's coming soon,"  Nakamura says, hinting that a concept version will be shown this year - and possibly as early as next month's New York Motor Show.  That will satisfy owners with a seamless transition from home or office into the car - and also reduce costs for carmakers, who won't be required to have built-in infotainment systems.

... rival the prices on the BMW options' list for things like salad and spuds.So it's no surprise that the top end of town calls the shots at the Palexpo alongside Geneva Airport as Europe's carmakers go head-to-head for the first time in 2012. Ferrari and Lamborghini battle for go-faster bragging rights as Rolls-Royce and Bentley get serious about family motoring for the ultra-rich, while Infiniti pitches an new exotic coupe and even Ssangyong of Korea goes upmarket with a new concept. There are also dozens of one-off dream machines and hotrod tuner cars in Geneva, a show that is traditionally dominated by European design stars including Pininfarina and Giugiaro. But there is plenty, too, for ordinary car buyers as the Fiesta ST brakes cover, Hyundai updates the i20 and teases with the Veloster Turbo, Jaguar confirms an XF station wagon, Audi and Mercedes-Benz previews their A3 and A-Class, and Ford even updates its box-boring Transit workhorse. Picking the best of the best is tough with so much gorgeous stuff on the stands, but Alfa Romeo is the winner for 2012 and edges out the Infiniti Emerge-E with its Disco Volante.The pretty little red coupe is dreamy without being stupid and is already confirmed for production, although the slightly-retro body will be draped over Alfa's existing 8C Competizione chassis - 4.7-litre V8, 335kW, 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds - which means it's no chance for Australia with only left-hand drive.The Ferrari F12 is exactly what you expect from the fastest car to wear the badge - 340km/h and 0-100km/h in 3.1 seconds - including a swoopy body that taps the past as well as the influences that created the California convertible, but Lamborghini goes even better with an Aventador J preview car that is snapped up for a rumoured $2.8 million ahead of genuine production of an open-topped Aventador supercar.Rolls-Royce updates the Phantom with a new nose that still demands respect, as well as tweaking its colour choices with a two-tone approach that triggers memories of cheap seventies vinyl roofs, and Jaguar gets serious for families with an XF Sportbrake that will still struggle in a world of SUVs.Further down the food chain, the Audi A3 looks good but not as edgy as an A-Class that must break away from the bus pass generation into something closer to the Y-Gen futurists, and Volkswagen previews a more car-like Tiguan crossover with its Cross Coupe.Hyundai has a preview of a new flagship coupe called the i-oniq - did it mean ironic? - Kia shows a Track'ster that will become the new Soul, Honda shows the CR-V design that's coming to Australia, and the pocket rocket Ford Fiesta ST breaks cover with a confirmation for Australia.The action and excitement at Geneva goes on and on, and that is - really - the best thing about the show. Detroit in January hinted that the word's carmakers are finally emerging from the austerity and fear of the global financial crisis and the big-spending effort in Geneva confirms it, with good news for almost everyone from Euro billionaires to ordinary Aussie families.PG PICKS:1. Bentley EXP 9 F.Only one word fits - Ugly. With a big capital U. The hulking British bulldog might tick the boxes for cashed-up families, but this SUV makes a LandCruiser look elegant, and subtle.2. Giugiaro Brivido.Exactly what you expect to see in Geneva, as designers go all-out to impress the crowds - and each other. Not for production but a great looker with huge gullwing doors.3. Range Rover Evoque Convertible. A certainty for production as Land Rover milks its most successful design - ever. This one will never go bush but is being fast tracked for Double Bay and Toorak.4. Ssangyong XIV-2. Who knew the South Koreans could trump the Euros with a design that combines SUV practicality with a coupe-convertible body? A big surprise.5. Toyota FT-Bh: Just when you thought the uglies were done, Toyota lobbed with this. If it's the future for hybrid cars then sales will be slow. Very slow.

It's a sign of things to come from Nissan's prestige carmaking division. The 300kW mid-engined hybrid sports car is likely to appear on the road in some shape - and sooner rather than later.Design chief Shiro Nakamura says a pair of prototypes will be built for evaluation but stopped short of saying the Emerg-E will go into production.Infiniti Australia general manager Kevin Snell was also coy. "There's no doubt Infiniti is looking at a halo sports car - it's a logical extension of the brand," he says."Whether that's the Emerg-E or a car that is based on its design and drivetrain we don't know just yet."The concept is powered by a 150kW electric motor on each rear wheel with a mid-mounted three-cylinder petrol engine operating as a range-extender. Infiniti says the car accelerates from 0-100km/h in less than four seconds and can run 50km on battery power alone with a total range of around 500km with assistance from the 35kW engine.The car was developed with help from the British Government's Technology Strategy Board, whose aim is to speed the arrival of low carbon vehicles and Infiniti partnered with companies such as Lotus on aspects of the design and powertrain.Infiniti says the styling is an evolution of the Essence concept which debuted at Geneva in 2009.

The Nissan luxury arm is aiming at earlier life clients than Audi and BMW - and fellow Japanese competitor in Lexus - and is looking at an average buyer age of 35-45. Infiniti Australia general manager Kevin Snell says part of that approach will be to put the customer experience at the fore during both the purchase and ownership experience. He also promises competitive pricing and higher standard specifications but isn't prepared to nominate figures for any of the three model ranges the Infiniti brand will launch with in August. "Our research shows customers in this market want stylish design, performance and a transparent relationship with the dealer," he says. "They also aren't looking at the brands their parents might have driven - the label isn't important, the features it (the vehicle) delivers are." A high-performance SUV will spearhead the range - Infiniti is starting with just three platforms and three dealerships - one each in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The FX50S is a V8-powered rival to BMW's X5 and comes with the performance and looks to set it apart from most prestige SUVs. The long bonnet and swoopy roofline typify the dramatic styling of the Infiniti range. Snell says the looks will be polarising but will appeal to enough people to grab 10 per cent of the prestige market when Infiniti hits full swing by 2020. Last year, around 80,000 prestige cars were sold in Australia. The FX model will also be sold with a V6 petrol and V6 turbodiesel engines. The diesel option helps set it apart from Lexus and Snell promises Infiniti's hybrid and electric models will also better its Japanese rival's products. The M range sedans are based on the same monocoque platform as the Nissan 370Z and will come in diesel, petrol and hybrid variants. They will be followed late this year by the petrol-powered G coupe and convertibles, giving Infiniti an initial range of eight cars. "We launch with the M35h sedan and Guinness World Records has already certified that car as the fastest production hybrid in the world (with a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds)," he says. "It is a performance car and a hybrid. That means it has all the features prestige customers expect without compromising the driving experience." The next-generation G sedan will follow in 2013 and will be joined by a luxury hatch and full electric vehicle as Infiniti aims to expand its range by 2015. Nissan-Renault product head Andy Palmer says the EV model will be based on the Nissan Leaf with extended range, features and performance. It will follow the Nissan example of not having a swappable battery, but Palmer won't comment on whether the car will be sold outright or whether customers will buy the vehicle and then lease the battery.

Pricing will be the key to Infiniti's success in Australia - despite the company refusing to announce prices until closer to the official launch in August.Audi, BMW and Lexus all have very capable vehicles and Infiniti will have to play on price as well as looks and performance The brand will launch with three platforms and a total of eight cars, all based on Nissan's 370Z architecture. But that range will progressively expand to seven models by 2015 when Infiniti expects to give German rivals Audi and BMW a serious hangover.Ironically, that will be partly due to the arrival of Daimler-sourced four-cylinder powerplants.FX crossoversThe BMW X5 leads the luxury SUV market - and the squared-off Beemer is right in the FX's headlights.Infiniti will launch the all-wheel drive model with all the flavours needed to satisfy demand, from a punchy 3.7-litre V6 petrol model to a 3.0-litre turbodiesel and a hi-po 5.0-litre V8 that (just) out-accelerates the Porsche Cayenne V8 S's 0-100km/h time of 5.9 seconds, though it can't match it on fuel efficiency.Infiniti says the FX50S will be more than $100,000 but adds that standard equipment levels will better those of its rivals, from the seven-speed automatic transmission to the 11-speaker Bose sound system.The V6s represent a more realistic real-world drive but Infiniti Australia general manager Kevin Snell predicts the FX50S will be the most popular of the trio at launch as early adopters chase the kudos of owning the top-end model.I'd buy the diesel. Its 0-100km/h time of 8.3 seconds doesn't reflect the effortless mid-range surge that is on tap once the vehicle is underway. The long bonnet and solid rear roof pillars means up-close visibility isn't a strong suit in the cars, which is why they're fitted with an array of cameras to help when parking, while the 50 also has four-wheel steering to help with cornering at carpark and freeway speeds.The driving position is closer to a luxury sedan than an SUV and the interior is as luxurious as a penthouse suite. That premium feel continues with the dynamics, with the steering precision not far off a Beemer and with more feedback than Audi's SUVs.Rear legroom is limited if the front-seat occupants are 180cm or more and there's not a huge amount of boot space - two suitcases will fill up the back.M sedansThe M37 petrol engine and M30d diesel donk are the same as those found in the FX range.The headline act for the mid-sized rival to the 5 Series, Audi A6 and Lexus GS350 is the hybrid M35h. It uses a 3.5-litre V6 with 225kW and 350Nm combined with a 50kW/270Nm electric motor. The combination has led to Guinness World Records certifying the car as the fastest-accelerating production hybrid car with a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds.Fuel use is said to be 7.0-litres/100km and there's the now-expected three driving modes. The most efficient Eco mode increases the resistance of the accelerator pedal to discourage putting too much boot in. I'm not a fan but it is effective. The Infiniti sedan isn't far off the pace in terms of interior fit and finish either. The approach is busier than Audi's benchmark interiors but the execution is hard to fault.The switchgear has a solid feel and the satnav system is easy to drive and read while the voice instructions are timely and not confusing. G coupe and convertible The two-door G models are the oldest cars Infiniti Australia will bring in at launch and that's one of the reasons the company is holding off on the sedan variant of the small prestige car until the model model arrives late next year.Carsguide drove the M37 convertible that will be a direct competitor with BMW's 335i hardtop and reckons it will have the biggest task of any of the Infiniti range. The seamless six-cylinder engine in the 3 Series Beemer has more mid-range urge than the Japanese-built Infiniti and rear visibility is also marginally better.On the flip side, the default kit in the Infiniti is more extensive than that in the BMW and Infiniti says that will resonate with buyers who resent having to select - and pay a premium for - options boxes for what they consider should be standard creature comforts in a prestige vehicle. If we had a price the comparison would be much easier, but Infiniti won't talk hard numbers given it is still five months from putting cars in showrooms.The look is more lithe than the BMW though and that should earn it a following among those who want to stand out from the crowd.VERDICTIf the price is right Infiniti will wedge its way into the prestige market. It has the looks and performance to appeal and the company's research shows there is a market for cars that don't have the sharp crease lines that typify the major players in this space.And it's not looking to conquer the world -- just 10 per cent of it. Based on the execution so far, that's not an unrealistic expectation.MODELS:FX30d/M30d - 175kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbodieselFX37/M37/G37 - 235kW/360Nm 3.7-litre V6 petrolFX50S - 287kW/500Nm 5.0-litre V8M35h - 275kW/620Nm V6 petrol-electric hybrid

Nissan Australia CEO Dan Thompson said the premium brand – which arrives here next September – intends to overtake Lexus. “Our ambition in the longer term, you know 2020, clearly is to be well ahead of where Lexus is today,” he told Carsguide. Speaking in Japan ahead of the Tokyo international motor show, Thompson, who heads up both Nissan and Infiniti in Australia, says Infiniti will launch with four different vehicles in three series: the BMW 3-Series sized G Series, in coupe and convertible; the Mercedes E-Class sized M Series; and the FX which goes up against the likes of BMW’s X6 and Porsche’s Cayenne. Thompson pointed to movements in the luxury car segment in recent years, notably the emergence of Audi against established luxury rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz as evidence of how much the category can change in just a few years. “I wouldn’t sit here and pretend to forecast where any of those four brands will be (by 2020) but I can assure you Infiniti will be in a strong position and certainly at least the number one non-European premium brand in Australia.”  The challenge will no doubt be heeded by Lexus which is in the process of attempting to reinvent its image in Australia with a range of more exciting products, including the forthcoming GS F Sport sedan, which also launches next year.Like Lexus Infiniti will offer a hybrid drive train on the BMW 5 Series-sized Infiniti M Series at launch. But unlike Lexus Infiniti has the option of introducing diesel models from its European range, something Thomson said was very much on the radar. “From a power train perspective we’ll have options across the range ranging from hybrid, diesel or petrol,” says Thompson. He dismisses suggestions that consumers may have bad memories of the Inifiniti brand, which was briefly sold here in the early 1990s via the single model Q45 luxury sedan.The attempt at the time by Japanese car makers including Toyota (Lexus), Nissan (Infiniti) and Mazda (Eunos) to challenge the German prestige brands was largely unsuccessful, with only Lexus surviving. Infiniti fared better in the USA, though, and its success there eventually led to the brand launching in Europe in 2008 and its planned Australian comeback. “For me it’s not really a question of re-establishing. I don’t believe the brand ever was established here. We launched a model for a period of time that was very short lived,” says Thompson. “Our biggest challenge in establishing the brand now is awareness in a very crowded space.There are 64-odd brands in the market today (and) there’s a fair few premium or quasi-premium brands fighting over a rather small slice of premium or luxury consumers. “We’ve been very particular about who we’ve selected as our partners, our dealers, to make sure that they can deliver that same Infiniti promise and experience.”    So particular in fact that there will be just three dealerships at launch - one each in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane - none of them established Nissan dealers. Thompson acknowledges the lack of dealership presence other than the east coast capitals is not ideal but is confident the brand will grow to encompass these markets.   “It’s not our intention to keep the brand within just the three launch cities. We’ll eventually go out to the likes of Perth and northern Queensland and Adelaide but it will take a bit of time and we’ll do it when we believe the brand is starting to establish itself and there is enough scale to warrant going to some of the second-tier markets.”