Infiniti has confirmed its new M37, the first of a trio of V6-powered, rear-wheel drive luxury performance saloons to take on Europe’s executive-car hierarchy, will be available in five different grades priced from £35,150.

With a design inspired by the Essence concept car of 2009, this all-new model developed for European roads is available now from the UK’s inaugural Infiniti Centre in Reading, Berkshire.

However, buyers the length and breadth of Britain who are ready for an alternative to the familiar faces of the sports saloon class can explore every facet of the M37’s design, spec and equipment, from first brush-stroke to last trim detail, online at www.infiniti.eu. Here, they can configure their ideal M37 and watch it in motion driving through a variety of sci-fi inspired landscapes.

Powered by Infiniti’s 3.7-litre petrol V6 developing 316 bhp (320 PS), the M37 backs up its athletic looks with a strong driver focus and Infiniti’s biggest and best-appointed interior yet.

The M37 is also Infiniti’s most technologically advanced car with a comprehensive suite of electronic driver aids/anti-collision systems, collectively badged Dynamic Safety Shield. For the Premium models expected to be the biggest sellers, the standard Safety Shield includes the world-first Blind Spot Intervention™, a system which registers nearby vehicles and helps ensure the Infiniti cannot stray into their path.

Other debut technologies available include Active Noise Control and Forest Air™, a climate control system that recreates the gentle breezes and subtle scents of an environment known to promote alertness and relieve stress. 

The M37 range for the UK

As with all Infinitis, the M37 is surprisingly well equipped without the need for buyers to raid an options list.  Prices start at £35,150 with features common to all including, for example, 7-speed automatic transmission, bi-Xenon lights, 10-way power front seats, reversing camera, hard disk drive (HDD) sound system and Infiniti’s new Drive Mode Selector which tailors key driving parameters to Sport, Normal, Snow and Eco settings.

The M37 GT (from £37,650) puts the emphasis on even greater luxury with semi-aniline leather, heated and ventilated front seats and White Ash wood trim with silver powder finish. The M37S (from £39,650) is the sporting choice, with 4-Wheel Active Steering (4WAS), sports suspension, sports seats (also heated and ventilated), gearshift paddles and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Premium versions of both the GT (from £43,000) and the S (from £45,000) come with every feature available, including the Dynamic Safety Shield package, Forest Air, a 16-speaker Bose® sound system and Infiniti’s acclaimed Connectiviti+ information and entertainment platform comprising 30GB HDD navigation.

Premium versions also feature Infiniti’s efficiency-boosting innovation, Eco Pedal. If driving too aggressively, the driver will feel the accelerator pedal “push back” to indicate fuel is being wasted.

The M37 accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 27.7 mpg while CO₂ emissions are 235 g/km.

An M30d diesel is due in October and an M35 hybrid in spring 2011, both also with the emphasis on high performance and maximum driving pleasure. Prices and specifications for these versions will be announced later.

Three new Infiniti Centres, reflecting the contemporary style and luxury of a bespoke hotel far more than a car dealership, are due to open in Central London, Birmingham and Glasgow before the end of the year. They will join Infiniti Centre Reading in offering British drivers the entire “Inspired Performance” range from Japan’s newest luxury car-maker.

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• INFINITI TORQUES UP ITS SECOND DIESEL
• INFINITI PUTS A PRICE ON ITS FIRST DIESEL

Infiniti has only just announced the prices of its first diesel, the FX30d.  Now it is the turn of its second.  To be badged EX30d and priced from £35,975, this crossover promises to raise the bar for diesel engine refinement and vehicle safety as well as delivering Infiniti’s greenest environmental performance to date.

The EX30d also brings a new high-value proposition to the market thanks to prices, announced today, that are lower than the petrol-fuelled equivalent. On sale from early July, the EX diesel models are expected to account for eight out of every 10 EX sales.

At the top of the line-up is a new GT Premium version equipped as standard with a suite of innovative safety technology, some of it only just made available for the first time on any Infiniti in Europe. The package includes features that return the car to its correct lane on the motorway and give the driver warning of impending collisions – features that some companies do not offer at any price.

Despite more engine torque than even Infiniti’s potent petrol V8, and a breathtaking open-road performance as a result, the EX30d delivers more miles per gallon and emits less CO₂ than the petrol EX models – and all with no dilution of the sporting coupé style and sheer driver appeal for which the EX is already known.

Headline numbers to please both the head and the heart include:

• 550 Nm (406 lb ft) of torque at just 1750rpm
• 33.2 mpg on the combined cycle
• 0-62 mph in 7.9 seconds
• 137 mph top speed
• 224 g/km of CO₂ emissions with standard seven-speed automatic transmission
• From £35,975 in three levels of specification

The piezo-injection 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine providing such exceptional breadth of capability has been developed to meet Infiniti’s uncompromising requirements. With 238 PS (235 bhp), Infiniti’s first-ever diesel engine is a match for any single-turbo diesel in the class. Its massive torque output is class best, guaranteeing performance as effortless as it is muscular.

Uniquely, the V6 features a compacted graphite iron (CGI) block – a weight-saving solution that also provides one of the EX30d’s greatest strengths – its refinement. The focus of a massive engineering effort, the V6 sets a new benchmark among diesel engines in its class for low noise and vibration. It has even been tuned to sound like a sporting petrol engine.

The EX30d is complemented in the newly expanded EX line-up by the more luxury oriented EX30d GT model and Infiniti’s new top grade, GT Premium, which is available in the EX range for the first time. Introduced in response to customer demand, GT Premium models include the brand’s most sophisticated new safety and convenience features as standard and set a new benchmark in luxury crossover value.

Like the petrol variants, every EX diesel is exceptionally well equipped. The entry EX30d comes as standard with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) 7-speed automatic transmission, active torque distribution all-wheel drive, Xenon cornering headlights, front and rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, Scratch Shield self-healing paint, electrically adjustable front seats, power-fold rear seats, cruise control and a 7-speaker audio system with 6-CD changer, MP3 decoder, Aux-In and Bluetooth for mobile connectivity.

The EX30d GT adds leather upholstery, 10-way power driver’s seat with memory, 8-way power front passenger seat, electrically adjustable steering column, heated front seats, rear air conditioning vent and a jacket hanger.

The new EX GT Premium, available in both EX30 diesel (£41,220) and EX37 petrol (£41,080) forms, combines the features of the GT with technology from Infiniti’s innovative Safety Shield program, such as Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with full speed range, Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), to which is added the Connectiviti+ infotainment package.

ICC ensures a safe distance to the car in front while the cruise control is operating. When cruise control is off – the majority of the time for most drivers – a combination of IBA and FCW remains constantly on alert, not just warning the driver of insufficient distance to the vehicle in front but pre-loading the powerful all-disc braking system in readiness for an emergency stop, should that become necessary.

Another safety bonus, for the diesel model only, is the standard inclusion in the EX30d GT Premium of Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), available in Europe for the first time. Unlike rival systems which merely warn the driver if the car strays out of a designated traffic lane, Infiniti’s LDP gives a warning but crucially will then take action if that warning is not heeded. Gentle brake pressure on one side of the car guides the vehicle back into the correct lane. LDP functions only above 45 mph and is automatically over-ridden by use of the indicators. The system can also be turned off by the driver if desired.

Every GT Premium model also features Around View Monitor (AVM), with its 360-degree bird’s eye view of the car and its surroundings, and the acclaimed Connectiviti+ satellite navigation system. Four times faster than the previous DVD satnav, the 30GB hard disk drive offers utmost user friendliness and highly advanced functionality – including 3D graphics on the high-resolution touch screen, access to Michelin Green Guide tourist information and gastronomical Red Guide, and automatic warnings of fixed-position safety cameras (not all markets).  Instead of a CD changer for six discs Connectiviti+ boasts a 10GB Music Box – to store music from up to 300 CDs.

It is expected that, throughout Europe, the new GT Premium versions will become Infiniti’s top selling models.

The new specification structure, to be rolled out across all of Infiniti’s ranges, reflects feedback from the market and results in even fewer extra-cost options. EX options now centre on a Bose® 11-speaker Premium Sound System (£615, only with Connectiviti+), electric glass sunroof (£820) and polished aluminium roof rails (£255). Connectiviti+ satnav system is available as an option on non Premium models for £1735.

Prices for the full range of 2010 EX models are as follows:

The diesel models can be identified by a reprofiled front bumper with extra air intakes to meet the different cooling requirements of the new engine. It is the only external change for a design hailed as the pioneer coupé crossover, as well as one of the best looking.

Coupé looks, sports car driver appeal, luxury refinement, ground-breaking safety features and reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, the new diesel Infiniti EX models for 2010 are available from Infiniti Centres from July.

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The Infiniti FX, one of the sportiest driving – and certainly the sportiest looking – large crossovers on the market is now available with a sporting new engine under the bonnet. A diesel.  This isn’t the only first for Infiniti in Europe because with the new engine comes the availability of new safety technology: Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Prevention.  

Playing to the FX’s strengths, the state-of-the-art 3.0-litre V6 enhances the FX’s already torque-rich performance while significantly lowering CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption for real customer benefit.  To be called the FX30d, the four variant range joins the FX petrol V6 and V8 models in a new look line-up for 2010 – and at prices that are virtually identical to equivalent V6 petrol models.

Announced today, the FX30d costs from £45,150, just £200 more than the equivalent FX37 petrol model. Available in both luxury GT and more sporting S guises, the arrival of the diesel also marks the addition of new Premium specification grades with every possible feature included as standard – including the sophisticated new safety technology to help guard against collisions, available for the first time on any Infiniti in Europe.

The FX’s advanced construction, aerodynamic prowess and highly efficient intelligent all-wheel drive system provide the perfect accompaniment for the bespoke new V6 diesel engine. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is trimmed to 31.4 mpg (9.0l/100km) while CO₂ emissions drop to 238 g/km.

The diesel FX, however, remains a performance car at heart – as the new engine’s impressive 550 Nm (406 lb ft) of pulling power, available at just 1750rpm, demonstrates. Paired with the standard 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control automatic transmission, the piezo-injection engine powers the greener FX from 0-62 mph in just 8.3 seconds. But with more torque than even the petrol V8 of the FX50, it’s the diesel’s effortless overtaking pace that is set to leave the lasting impression.

The FX’s sports credentials are enhanced in the FX30dS model which puts the emphasis firmly on driver appeal. The S spec diesel includes 21-inch alloy wheels, sports seats, sports suspension and Rear Active Steering (RAS) – the first time this incisive handling technology has been available in the FX range on anything other than the FX50 flagship.

Sacrificing neither performance nor refinement over the petrol FX, the FX30d’s engine provides an exceptional breadth of capability. The exhaust has even been tuned so it sounds sporting. Uniquely, the V6 features a compacted graphite iron (CGI) block which combines the light weight of an alloy block with the smoothness of an iron block engine – without recourse to complicated extra engineering.

With 238 PS (235 bhp) the power output is among the highest of single-turbo V6 diesel engines. The turbocharger is mounted in the V of the engine which is set at an unusual 65 degree angle to the benefit of balance, reliability as well as packaging efficiency.

The new diesel model is available in four guises, all paired by equivalent FX37 petrol models in a simplified line-up designed to reflect a Europe-wide customer preference for top-end FXs. In practice the change means more features, fewer extra-cost options and a new top grade, Premium.

FX buyers can go in two specification directions: luxury GT or sporting S.  The 2010 GT, in either FX30d diesel or FX37 petrol forms, comes fully equipped as standard with paddle-shift 7-speed automatic transmission, intelligent all-wheel drive, leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, bi-Xenon cornering headlights (AFS), rear view camera and parking sensors, powered front seat adjustment (with driver’s seat memory), electric reach and rake adjustment for steering wheel, glass sunroof, 20-inch light alloy wheels, I-Key with smart access, cruise control, Scratch Shield self-healing paint and a 7-speaker audio system including 6-CD changer, MP3 decoder, Aux-In and Bluetooth for mobile connectivity.

The S derivatives ramp up the sporting appeal with powered front sports seats, Continuous Damping Control (CDC) shock absorbers, 21-inch alloy wheels and, on the diesel S and 5.0-litre V8 petrol only, Rear Active Steering (RAS), which enhances both stability and agility. To distinguish the S, the model comes with smoked-glass headlamps and dark chrome exterior air vent and sill strip.

The new Premium grade enhances both GT and S models with features which are often unavailable in rivals. Safety is a particular focus, reinforcing the FX’s highest-possible five-star ranking in the EuroNCAP crash tests. Both GT Premium and S Premium versions of FX30d and FX37 are equipped with key elements of Infiniti’s innovative Safety Shield technology such as Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with full speed range, Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW).

ICC ensures a safe distance to the car in front while the cruise control is operating. When cruise control is off – the majority of the time for most drivers – a combination of IBA and FCW remains constantly on alert, not just warning the driver of insufficient distance to the vehicle in front but pre-loading the powerful all-disc braking system in readiness for an emergency stop, should that become necessary.

Another safety bonus, for the diesel only, is the inclusion in Premium models of Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), available in Europe for the first time. Unlike rival systems which merely warn the driver when the car strays out of a designated traffic lane, Infiniti’s LDP gives a warning but crucially will then take action if that warning is not heeded. Gentle brake pressure on one side of the car guides the vehicle back into the correct lane. LDP functions only above 70 km/h and is automatically over-ridden by use of the indicators. The system can also be turned off by the driver if desired.

FX Premium versions are also equipped with innovations like Around View Monitor and a 30GB hard disk drive satellite navigation system, key ingredient of Infiniti’s headline Connectiviti+ information and entertainment platform. Notable for its wide ranging functionality and intuitive controls, the satnav is not just four times faster than the previous DVD-based system but includes a wide range of features and facilities, from Michelin Guide recommendations to 3D graphics, to take the stress out of journeys – and add some extra enjoyment, too.

On the music front, Premium models are equipped with a 10 GB Music Box which can store the equivalent of 300 CDs – and, as standard, a Bose^® Premium Sound System on which to enjoy them.

As before the V8-powered FX50 remains the flagship. There are no changes to its specification for 2010 – virtually everything was already standard – but the model is now badged FX50 S Premium to reflect the new order.

Prices for the full range of 2010 FX models are as follows:

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Innovative electric technology and an undiluted driving experience come together in Infiniti’s first hybrid, making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show today. The low CO2 champion of the all-new M Line sedan range, the Infiniti M35 HYBRID steers the hybrid advantage from the city to the open road – and into the arms of all those who love their driving.

A decoupling V6 engine, 50 kW (68 PS) electric motor built in to the 7-speed automatic transmission and exceptionally fast charge/discharge response from the lithium-ion battery pack all add up to a hybrid that’s electrically powered for more of the time, and at higher speeds, than conventional hybrids.

The M35 HYBRID’S high degree of electric intervention results in the fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions of a smaller, less powerful car while offering the linear acceleration and unsullied rear-drive handling of a true Infiniti complete with all the charisma and potency of one of the great V6 petrol engines.

The technology, which previewed in the Essence concept coupé at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009, has been given the name INFINITI DIRECT RESPONSE HYBRID. Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President Infiniti, said: “INFINITI DIRECT RESPONSE HYBRID is the core of the future Infiniti performance.”

Sharing the seductive looks, alluring cabin and world-first features of the all-new M Line flagship saloon – the first ever M to go on sale in Europe, also making its show debut in Geneva – the M35 HYBRID uses a front-engine, rear-drive-only layout based around an innovative drivetrain featuring a one motor/two clutch system.

Innovatively, the first clutch is installed between the naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 and the electric motor. This clutch allows the full decoupling of the V6 when in both electric and power regeneration modes – in order to reduce mechanical drag and boost the efficiency of the electric motor.

Just how efficient the M35 HYBRID’s electric side is was shown in a rigorous test program in the US based on day-in, day-out driving over a three-month period on a route that took in not just busy city streets but also suburbs, freeways and even mountain roads. The results showed that the M35 HYBRID was able to drive in electric-only mode, with zero tailpipe emissions, for as much as 50 per cent of the time.

Two new technologies are fundamental to the M35 HYBRID’s broad-ranging abilities. One is the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack – quick to alternate between charging/discharging and, size for size, twice as powerful as conventional batteries. The second is the direct manner in which the petrol or electric power is delivered to the rear wheels. This “directness” is central to the M35 HYBRID’s overall efficiency as well as offering a consistent driving feel under all conditions.

The M35 HYBRID’s transmission is an even more sophisticated version of Infiniti’s 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) automatic transmission. One difference over the ASC transmission used in other Infiniti models is that there is no torque converter, and therefore none of the losses that torque converters cause.

The lack of a torque converter also enhances responsiveness for a sportier-feeling drive. The throttle can be “blipped” just as in a manual transmission car, while acceleration is seamless thanks to motor-assisted gear-shifting that ensures ratio changes aren’t just eye-blink fast but also completely smooth.

The electric motor is rated at 50 kW (68 PS) with 270 Nm of torque and is embedded within the transmission. The motor acts as both propulsion unit, either by itself or to boost the V6 in “power assist” mode when maximum acceleration is required, and also as a generator. As well as charging the battery in the normal way, the motor recovers energy otherwise lost during deceleration and braking.

Apart from its fast charge/discharge response and 1.3kWh capacity, the Li-on battery pack is laminated to enhance the cooling performance. Temperature stability is further improved by the use of manganese positive electrodes. An end result of this is exceptional battery reliability.

Light weight is another key advantage of the M35 HYBRID, with the compact battery pack, allied to the single electric motor, resulting in a 30kg weight saving.

Power outputs and performance data will be confirmed at later date.

The new M Line has all the qualifications needed to be the flagship saloon for Infiniti and provide a distinctive and finely crafted alternative to timeworn German rivals. Classic sports saloon proportions and an elegantly flowing body go hand in hand with a spacious five-seat interior that sets a benchmark for quality and luxury even by Infiniti’s high standards.

The M35 HYBRID, like all the new M Line models, has been engineered for European drivers and roads. Super strong, highly aerodynamic and based on the FM (Front-Midship) platform, the M35 delivers incisive handling matched by exceptional ride comfort thanks in part to the world-first use of double-piston dampers. The M35 in Geneva is shown in luxury GT form complete with semi-aniline leather and White Ash wood trim with silver-powder finish.

Other M Line world firsts include Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) – a system that doesn’t just warn of vehicles in adjacent lanes but actively prevents the car being steered into their path – and a state-of-the-art “Forest Air” climate control system. An Active Noise Control system is also available.

M Line sales in Western Europe begin in September, with the M35 HYBRID due to arrive from spring 2011, depending on market.

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Infiniti today releases the first photographs of its new compact diesel crossover, a dynamic all-wheel driver with the power and torque to take on anything in its class.

The EX30d from Europe’s newest luxury automotive brand offers hushed high performance in league with lower CO2 emissions and fuel consumption thanks to a bespoke V6 diesel engine that fulfils every requirement of Infiniti’s Inspired Performance creed.

The piezo-injection 3.0-litre V6 delivers 238 PS (235 bhp) with a class-best 550 Nm (406 lb ft) of torque. With standard 7-speed automatic transmission, the EX30d despatches 0-62 mph in just 7.9 seconds. But performance is defined more by the massive torque output, greater even than Infiniti’s storming 5.0-litre petrol V8. With the pulling power peaking at just 1750 rpm, the EX30d is as effortless as it is muscular.

The EX has always faced its compact crossover rivals with several natural advantages – dashing coupé looks, dynamic handling, luxury equipment – but now the EX30d can meet them head-on in the fuel consumption and CO2 numbers game. The key figures (yet to be finally homologated) are 33.6 mpg (combined) and 224 g/km.

Infiniti’s state of the art V9X V6 features a compacted graphite iron (CGI) block for light weight with outstanding refinement. The diesel’s cooling requirements dictated a change to airflow, hence the reprofiled front bumper with extra air intakes. Thankfully it is the only external change for a design hailed as the original coupé crossover as well as the best looking.

The EX30d will be the second model of the Infiniti range to get the new diesel V6 when UK sales begin in the summer, at prices to be announced. It is expected that, throughout Europe, eight out of every 10 EXs will be the new EX30d.

The EX30d will be available in three grades including a new Premium version with all of the class’s most wanted features included as standard.

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Petrol or diesel powered, with a hybrid to follow, this latest example of Inspired Performance takes the brand’s unswerving commitment to soul-stirring looks and driving ability up a level, while offering technology unavailable in rivals.
New features include Active Noise Control, a world-first side collision avoidance system and state-of-the-art “Forest Air™” climate control. There’s even a smart accelerator pedal that assists the driver in saving fuel.
They join a host of proven Infiniti innovations in the M Line, the first M ever to be made available in Europe.

An all-new car, the third-generation M Line has been designed and engineered from the beginning to compete in Europe, with European levels of ride and handling and high performance engines. These include a 3.0-litre diesel V6 for the M30d, which boasts exceptional refinement with 550Nm of torque to rival the class best.  The M Line will also be available, in 2011, with an innovative hybrid drivetrain.

Petrol, diesel or hybrid, every new M Line showcases all that is central to Infiniti’s individualistic approach to building cars. The four-door body, 4945mm long, brings a sense of intrigue to Infiniti design DNA with its characteristically seductive lines and sophisticated new take on familiar design cues, many of which draw their inspiration from traditional Japanese arts and crafts.

Classic sports saloon proportions, so clearly at home here on this front engine/rear-wheel drive car, are fully exploited by a body of athletic elegance. Drawing inspiration from the stunning Essence concept sports coupé that made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show one year ago, the M Line design combines vibrancy with presence; like all Infinitis, it is a design that cannot fail to elicit an emotional response.

The design is also notably aerodynamically efficient, both in terms of low drag (Cd: 0.27) and zero lift at high speeds, thanks in part to the distinctive “ducktail” design of the boot lid.

The new M Line is among the most spacious five-seaters in the class, as well as possibly the most alluring on the inside thanks to an even higher new standard of interior design and finish. This is Infiniti’s best-ever cabin, which is saying something for a company known for its sumptuously sporting interiors and emphasis on the best natural materials.

The choice of leather includes a sensual semi-aniline. It is capped by new White Ash wood trim with silver-power finish.  Used here for the first time in an automotive application, the resultant real wood grains inside the M Line are more akin to those of luxury furniture or a premium quality musical instrument than a car.

The luxury emphasis is not at the expense of driver focus which is stronger in the new Infiniti M than ever, with ergonomic excellence the hallmark of an imposing new dashboard. No details have been overlooked; the new M Line even introduces a new generation of switchgear, perfectly matched in weight and feel, and a new version of Infiniti’s signature analogue clock.

Just as the design and interior eschew the cold style of rivals for a warmer, more emotional approach, so the new Infiniti M’s abilities on the road are as much the result of human input as that of a computer. The M Line has been developed by drivers for drivers. In particular, the M’s intuitive steering feel is the result of a development program centred largely on feedback from test drivers. Always responsive and unfailingly comfortable – thanks in part to the unusual use of double-piston shock absorbers – the new Infiniti M also delivers the greatly enhanced stability essential for Europe’s more demanding drivers and higher speeds.

The M37 on show at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show is an S model, the most driver-focused of all variants which comes equipped with Infiniti’s proven handling technology with the acclaimed four-wheel active steering (4WAS) system at its heart. All M Line models are based on the FM (Front-Midship) platform that positions the engine low down and far back in the chassis – and thus all Infiniti M versions have a natural balance when it comes to negotiating twisting roads.

All Infiniti M models for Europe are powered by V6 engines, with 320 PS (235 KW) from the 3.7-litre petrol unit, and 238 PS (175 KW) from the new piezo-injection 3.0-litre diesel engine. The M30d has been designed specially for European markets. It is Infiniti’s first diesel and comes with a clear emphasis on sporting performance and luxury car refinement. Its power is a match for single-turbo diesel competitors from Audi, BMW and Mercedes but its torque – 550 Nm (406 lb ft) – is class leading.

The M37 is powered by Infiniti’s charismatic 3.7 V6 with efficiency guaranteed by its VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) cylinder heads. To go with its potent 320 PS is pulling power of 360 Nm (266 lb ft). Both petrol and diesel M Line cars come as standard with Infiniti’s 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control automatic transmission, with manual shift paddles on the S version behind the steering wheel for when the sporting urge takes over.

Being an Infiniti, light weight is central. The M’s doors, bonnet and boot lid are all made of aluminium, as is the all-alloy petrol V6.

The M Line debut marks the availability, depending on model and market, of a suite of new features, all executed with characteristic Infiniti attention to detail and ease of use. Infiniti’s Dynamic Safety Shield technology, the aim of which is to provide a 360-degree “bubble” of protection around the car, takes a step forward with the availability of Blind Spot Intervention™ (BSI). BSI doesn’t just warn of cars in adjacent lanes but actively prevents the car being steered into their path.  The available Dynamic Safety Shield package also includes Intelligent Cruise Control with Low Speed Following, Blind Spot Warning in addition to Intervention, Distance Control Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention systems, and if all that wasn’t enough, it offers Intelligent Brake Assist, too.

Active Noise Control (ANC) ensures the Infiniti M’s cabin, already extensively soundproofed, remains free of unwanted low-frequency engine noises. Sounds of opposite phase are played through the speakers to create a noise cancelling effect – making the cabin an even more peaceful place to be.

The new Infiniti M’s interior environment is also notably cool and calming in versions fitted with what Infiniti believes to be one of the most sophisticated climate control systems ever developed. It is called Forest Air™, after the invigorating, pollution-free atmosphere it seeks to replicate.

Forest Air™ is an umbrella term for six areas of technology, some new, some building on proven Infiniti innovations such as the Plasmacluster ioniser, now more powerful and sensitive than ever.

All-new for this third-generation Infiniti M is an aroma diffuser that subtly scents incoming ventilation air with forest-fresh fragrances, chosen for their specific drive-enhancing qualities. For instance, leaf scent is calming and reduces fatigue, while fragrant wood scent, from the tropical borneol tree, also has a calming effect but in addition aids concentration, important with a car as powerful and dynamic car as the new Infiniti M. The scents alternate and are used intermittently.

Instead of blasting air into occupants’ faces, the Infiniti M delivers a gentle breeze. Air from the dashboard vents is randomly modulated so it feels far more natural, making the whole cabin environment a more pleasant place to be.

Other Infiniti innovations for the M Line include ESP with Dynamic Cornering Enhancement and Infiniti Drive, a system of four driver-selectable modes which tailor the car to give its best in Eco, Sport, Snow and Standard conditions. Eco mode activates the Eco Pedal which exerts a gentle resistance when the pedal is being pushed needlessly hard, wasting fuel. No other car in production has this effective, non-intrusive device to assist the driver in achieving the lowest possible fuel consumption.  If the driver prefers not to use it, the Eco Pedal can be switched off.

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Phase two of Infiniti’s quiet assault on the European luxury car market is underway with the arrival of a newly developed 3.0-litre V6 diesel. The engine, the first in the brand’s 20 year history, has been specifically designed to deliver high levels of refined performance in line with Infiniti philosophy.  It will initially be available in both the acclaimed EX and FX crossovers and later in the Infiniti M luxury performance sedan.

The new diesel is a key element to Infiniti’s continued growth in Europe. Launched barely a year ago, the Infiniti range has won high praise from customers and the motoring press alike. Now with five established model lines – G37 saloon, coupé and convertible, plus the EX and FX ranges – more than 2000 Infinitis have been sold across 15 markets despite the marque’s launch coinciding with the worst global recession for decades.

A sixth model, the Infiniti M Line, will be launched during 2010 and it, too, will be available with the choice of petrol and the new 3.0d unit.

“The sales success enjoyed by Infiniti in Europe against a backdrop of financial uncertainty proves the cars’ appeal to a discerning audience. We have established Infiniti as the luxury performance brand thanks in part to the remarkable multi-award winning VQ petrol engine that powers most of the models in the range,” said Jim Wright, Vice President, Infiniti Europe.

“We were aware from the outset, however, that for Infiniti to offer a complete range a powerful diesel engine was a must, especially in the European premium SUV market where diesel represents the bulk of sector sales.

“Although we did investigate the possibility of adapting an existing large capacity diesel for Infiniti, we quickly established that nothing on the market met our exacting requirements. We needed an engine that delivered not just stunning performance but exemplary refinement too. For that reason, with the Alliance we decided to develop our own engine, a performance diesel worthy of the Infiniti badge,” said Wright.

The performance figures speak for themselves. Developing 175 kW (238 PS) and a remarkable 550 Nm of torque, with standard seven-speed automatic transmission the new engine sends the EX30d to 100 km/h from rest in 7.9 secs and the FX30d in 8.3 secs.  However with all that torque, it is in their overtaking performance that the Infiniti’s advantage will be most felt.  (All figures subject to final homologation.)

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An enhanced interior offering more of what Infiniti does best – distinctiveness, craftsmanship, functionality – is the main change for the luxury brand’s sporting two-door cars, the G Coupé and G Convertible, for Model Year 2010. The move brings the V6-powered performance cars into line with the third G Line member, the saloon, which, it has already been confirmed, benefits from the same package of interior revisions for 2010 as well as exterior enhancements. In addition, Infiniti has introduced a new all-inclusive specification called Premium for the G and G Coupé in response to customer demand.

The new interior look centres on a redesigned console, based on that of the EX and FX crossovers. The revised console builds on Infiniti’s individual interior character, with its emphasis on natural materials and Japanese craftsmanship, while retaining all the ergonomic excellence of before.

The cabin’s aluminium highlights now feature a new pattern, inspired by traditional Japanese calligraphy. In addition, across all models, there’s a new, optional high-gloss Maple wood trim and the dials and instrument display now use white as background colour.

Infiniti’s hard disk drive (HDD) information and entertainment platform, Connectiviti, is fitted to the G and G Coupé for the first time, while the innovative navigation version, Connectiviti+, is standard-fit on new Premium models. Connectiviti+ brings with it far more functionality than the previous navigation system, such as 3D graphics and exclusive access to Michelin’s Green Guide tourist information and gastronomical Red Guide. It’s also four times faster at route calculation than the previous DVD-based set-up.

In the multimedia stakes, the entire G Line for 2010 can now claim to be among the most switched-on luxury ranges in Europe – without buyers having to resort to the often baffling, invariably costly, piecemeal multimedia options offered by some rivals.

A revised exterior colour, in a shade of dark grey, is added to the paint palette for 2010 Coupé and Convertible. It features of course Infiniti’s Scratch-shield technology which magics away fine scratches. In all other ways both two-door models are unchanged on the outside, retaining the dynamic athleticism for which Japan’s newest luxury car manufacturer is rapidly becoming known in Europe.

The revised models form part of an expanded G Line for 2010 with new Premium editions slotting in at the top of the range. Developed in response to customers mainly ordering the G fully-optioned, the Premium versions include all the most popular features as standard, taking “top spec” to a higher new level – no mean feat for a marque already known for its comprehensive specification and short options list.

As well as Connectiviti+ satnav, Premium models come as standard with a Bose® 11-speaker sound system, complete with HDD space for up to 300 CDs, reversing camera and Infiniti’s innovative safety technology, Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC). Every Infiniti is already fitted with cruise control – as well as a speed limiter – but ICC is a smart system that uses laser sensors to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle ahead. The latest Full Speed Range version of ICC will automatically bring the car to a complete stop if necessary.

The new Premium editions of the Infiniti G and Infiniti G Coupé are available in either luxury GT form – leather, heated seats with memory and electric lumbar adjustment for the driver – or more sporting S trim where driver-focused features such as four-wheel active steering (4WAS), limited slip differential (Viscous LSD), sports suspension, sports seats and uprated brakes already come as standard. Infiniti predicts the Premium models will become the top-selling Gs throughout Europe, with half of all saloon buyers expected to go for the GT Premium and four out of 10 coupé buyers opting for the S Premium. In the Convertible line-up, the GT is already outsold by the GT Premium.

Choice for buyers is made even simpler for 2010 by a streamlined entry-level range for both Infiniti G and Infiniti G Coupé. But while there are now fewer options, the entry models continue to be as well equipped as ever with bi-Xenon cornering headlights, parking sensors, powered front seats, electrically adjustable steering column, 18-inch alloy wheels, i-Key smart access, cruise control/speed limiter and Scratch-shield paint all part of the deal – along now with all the multimedia advantages of the Connectiviti system. Even in standard form, Connectiviti comes with features such as seven-speaker stereo, iPod/USB compatibility with AUX-in RCA, Bluetooth audio streaming, 1CD reader with MP3 WMA compatibility and 2Gb Infiniti Music Box.

In other changes for 2010, the success of the all-wheel drive option for the Infiniti G saloon means it now ranks as a model in its own right. Across Europe, 44% of saloons have been the x model with its winter-defying intelligent torque control drive to all four wheels. Automatic Gs – featuring a seven-speed Adaptive Shift Control transmission with steering wheel paddles – are now also listed as separate models.

Despite the extensive enhancements to all G Line models, there are no price rises for either the Infiniti G or Infiniti G Coupé, with a modest £220 increase in the cost of the Infiniti G Convertible. Automatic and all-wheel drive versions reflect their old prices plus the cost of what were formerly options. Ditto the new Premium models – making them exceptional value given the extra functionality and improved navigation performance of Connectiviti+.

G prices for 2010 start at £30,930 for the Infiniti G, £32,620 for the Infiniti G Coupé and £38,800 for the Infiniti G Convertible with electric retractable hard-top. The all-wheel drive x saloons starts at £34,100.

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The Infiniti FX Line of performance crossovers might already be one of the rarest and best equipped cars in its class but this has not stopped customers demanding an even more exclusive version.  Infiniti is responding with very special, limited production versions of the FX37S and FX50S to be called, simply, the FX Limited Edition.

The FX Limited Edition will be rare indeed.  Availability has been strictly limited to just 100 units across Western Europe, of which only 18 will be coming to the UK.  All will be individually numbered.  Based on the already dramatic looking FX37S and FX50S, the FX Limited Edition features striking Black Obsidian ‘Scratch Guard’ paintwork as standard, with equally distinctive Moonlight White pearl metallic available as an option.  Specially commissioned 21 inch ‘Turbine’ design alloy wheels are finished in dark Graphite.  The radiator grille, side air vents and roof rails are similarly coordinated.

The interior of the FX Limited Edition is beautifully crafted with many unique enhancements.  Opening one of the doors reveals illuminated ‘Infiniti’ entry guards and a carefully co-ordinated combination of the finest materials, including supple Graphite leather upholstered seats, upper door panels and dashboard with contrasting stitching, and a luxurious Alcantara® headlining.  Genuine Carbon fibre is used extensively on the dashboard, centre console and door panels, replacing the standard ‘cello flame maple wood veneer.  Completing the FX Limited Edition’s comprehensive standard specification, Infiniti’s state-of-the-art Connectiviti+ technology package provides a fully integrated navigation, communication and entertainment system including an 11-speaker Bose® Premium Sound System, the Michelin Guide, full iPod connectivity and a 10GB music box with Gracenotes database.  An option on the standard FX37S, this is joined on both the V6 and V8 engined Limited Editions by Infiniti’s unique Around View Monitor.

The FX Limited Edition is available for reservation now via an Infiniti Centre.  Pricing starts at £55,855 for the 320PS, V6 engined FX37S rising to £62,035 for the 390PS, V8 powered FX50S. 

At a glance

Production limited to just 100 units
Choice of 320PS 3.7-litre V6 or potent 390PS 5.0-litre V8
Obsidian Black paintwork as standard, Moonlight White pearl optional
Graphite grey 21in Turbine design alloy wheels
Graphite grey radiator grille, wheelarch air vents and roof rails
Smoked headlight surrounds
Illuminated ‘Infiniti’ entry guards
Black leather upholstery with quilted stitching for the seats, doors and dashboard.
Alcantara® headlining
Extensive use of carbon fibre throughout the interior
Full Connectiviti+ package, including HDD satellite navigation system, Michelin Green Guide hotel and restaurant directory, 10GB Music Box and 11-speaker Bose® Premium Sound System and Bluetooth connectivity
The Infiniti FX Limited Edition in more detail

Exterior styling
With its breathtaking combination of sports car proportions and muscular SUV stance, the FX is an unmistakable performance luxury crossover. The FX Limited Edition accentuates these unique design qualities with a choice of standard Black Obsidian ‘Scratch Guard’ paint or optional Moonlight White pearl metallic, together with dark smoked headlight surrounds that give the FX Limited Edition a more distinctive ‘face’.

Further drama comes courtesy of the FX Limited Edition’s ‘Turbine’ design alloys wheels, so called because the spokes of the wheels are shaped in such a way as aid the flow of cooling air to the sports brakes. Uniquely finished in dark graphite grey – together with the distinctive ‘double-wave’ radiator grille, air vents and roof rails – they are fitted with 265/45 R21W tyres and fill the wheel arches to perfection.

Interior environment
The Infiniti philosophy of Modern Luxury is exemplified in the FX Limited Edition’s stylish and comprehensively appointed interior. From the supple Graphite leather upholstery complete with quilted stitching for the seats, doors and dashboard, to the opulent Alcantara® trimmed headlining and roof pillars and wool carpets, only the finest natural materials are used. Illuminated ‘Infiniti’ door entry guards are also unique to the FX Limited Edition.

The extensive use of genuine carbon fibre across the dashboard, centre console and door panels provides an appropriately high-tech contrast to the soft-touch natural materials and provides a fitting backdrop to the FX Limited Edition’s standard Connectiviti+ infotainment system. Employing the very latest Hard Disk Drive (HDD) technology it features a fully integrated satellite navigation system with 42-country, Europewide coverage and, in a world-first collaboration with Michelin Green Guide, a database of some 22,000 addresses, which enables the location and booking of leading hotels and restaurants while on the move.

The Connectiviti+ multi-media system also includes a powerful 11-speaker Bose® Premium Sound System, a 10GB direct record Music Box that can store up to 300 albums’ worth of your favourite music, plus a DVD player, USB port for MP3 players and Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone connectivity.

Additional standard equipment includes electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, an electric sunroof, Infiniti’s keyless entry and start system, and magnesium paddle shifts that work in conjunction with the seven-speed automatic gearbox.  Also included is startling performance that sees the V8 powered Limited Edition speeding to 62mph in just 5.8 seconds with the V6 version only a second behind.  Traction in all weathers is assured by intelligently controlled, all-wheel drive. 

No wonder given this specification that Infiniti maintains it has redefined rarity with the FX Limited Edition.

FX technical highlights

Fusion of sports car and SUV
Choice of 320PS 3.7-litre V6 or potent 390PS 5.0-litre V8
Standard seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive
Suspension with active Continuous Damping Control (CDC)
Class leading handling
Standard Rear Active Steer (RAS) on V8-engined model
Lightest SUV in its class
Advanced features including Around View Monitor
EuroNCAP 5 star safety rating

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A new style of performance saloon – brimming with passion, craftsmanship and driver appeal – comes to Europe in 2010 as the world’s newest luxury automotive brand Infiniti faces up to the traditional executive car hierarchy for the first time. Power, performance and technology all come together with signature Infiniti sophistication in the all-new Infiniti M Line which makes its official public debut in the USA today, prior to European sales starting next September.

Featuring industry-first features, advanced Safety Shield technology and displaying Infiniti’s unswerving commitment to passionate design and a rewarding drive, Infiniti’s latest example of Inspired Performance will be the first M to be available in all of Infiniti’s 34 world markets – including Western Europe.

A more exclusive alternative to the traditional stalwarts of the executive class, such as the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-Class, the M Line goes on sale in European showrooms from September 2010 with petrol and diesel V6 power options, while an innovative petrol-electric hybrid is due to join the range in Europe in 2011. All will have a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The M Line takes Infiniti’s saloon range in Europe – which also includes the G37 – to a higher new level, inside, outside and on the road, too. The Infiniti M combines rear-wheel drive poise with impeccable luxury credentials in a 4945mm-long saloon with space to spare inside the best designed and finished cabin that Infiniti has ever offered. As flagship saloon for the brand, the M Line also revels in the uniqueness that is Infiniti, from the flowing lines of the Essence concept car-inspired profile and the integrity of the natural materials used, to the pledge of an utterly hassle-free ownership experience.

The new, third-generation M Line has been able to call on key Infiniti strengths in order to satisfy more demanding European drivers. These include lightweight aluminium componentry, adaptive technology, race-bred engine design, sophisticated chassis design with almost perfect weight distribution and proven double-wishbone suspension with the availability in some models of Infiniti’s sports handling technology, 4-Wheel Active Steering (4WAS).

It debuts many new features such as Blind Spot Intervention, Infiniti Drive with Eco mode, Active Noise Control and the Forest Air climate system which are explained in more detail in the next section. To the benefit of looks, ride and cabin room, the M also has one of the longest wheelbases in the class. Finally, its body is one of the most aerodynamic on the road, too.

The new Infiniti M has its first outing – in the metal – at an unveiling in Beverly Hills, California, yesterday (December 1) prior to US sales commencing in the spring. An earlier debut, in August this year, was as a ‘virtual’ car created in 3D by video mapping – presaging a trend for ‘firsts’ that the new M Line is well placed to expand upon.

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A more dynamic look and revised interior, with state-of-the-art infotainment technology available, take the Infiniti G37 Saloon into a new decade with more presence and quality than ever. Announced today, the 2010 version of Infiniti’s lead-in sports model for Europe remains just as potent, poised and well equipped as before, but benefits from enhancements that bring it into line with other Infiniti models as well as responding to feedback from Infiniti owners.

The changes are subtle but effective – as one glance at the sharper new front-end styling reveals. More sculptural, more distinctive and more indicative of the 320 PS (316 bhp) under the bonnet of every G37, the new look moves the Saloon visually closer to its sportier two-door cousin, the G37 Coupé.

New front light clusters – still with bi-Xenon adaptive cornering headlights as standard – and a fresh-looking iteration of the familiar double-arch Infiniti grille are the main component changes, proving the rightness of the original design. A redesigned under-bumper section with recessed, wide-set foglights (previously the fogs were set into the main light clusters) gives the 2010 G37 Saloon a more purposeful edge to its already striking visual impact.

The rest of the G37 Saloon’s body is untouched. Which is good news for fans of its trademark long bonnet, raked-back A pillars and athletic stance that projects power and grace in equal measure.

Changes in the cabin are just as subtle but equally tailored to meeting owners’ expectations. For instance, the Rosewood interior accents are now high gloss, the leather hues slightly lighter and there’s the option of a new a new Wheat leather colour combined with a black dashboard and upper door trims. Reinforcing the G37’s impression of quality is a new aluminium trim design, reminiscent of Japanese calligraphy, along with a redesigned centre console based on that in the EX and FX crossovers. Improving both legibility and design cohesiveness, the gauges and LCD instrument display now use white as background colour.

For the first time, Infiniti’s much-praised information and entertainment platform, Connectiviti, is available in the Saloon following on from its G37 debut in the Convertible earlier in the year.

Notable for its all-embracing functionality and user-friendliness, the HDD (hard disk drive) based system connects all manner of modern technology, from MP3 players to mobile phones, with seamless efficiency. Connectiviti+ takes things a stage further with a 30GB Music Box and innovative satellite navigation system which, among its long list of functions, can even access built-in Michelin’s Red and Green Guides to take you to the door of a top restaurant or hotel.

Three new exterior colours are available for 2010 models: Smokey Quartz, Graphite Shadow and Vibrant Red. All are Scratch-shield paint, of course. Other features unique to the G37 Saloon are its charismatic V6 with VVEL valve technology and its chassis options of rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and four-wheel steer for the most sporting S version.
Pricing and specification of the 2010 G37 Saloon will be confirmed early in the new year prior to sales beginning in the spring. “

(Via .)

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‘Since its inception, Infiniti’s goal has been to establish a new concept of automotive luxury, where a personal and rewarding driving experience is more important than the car alone.’

These words, which encapsulate the vision behind Infiniti’s Inspired Performance, could have been written last year, last month or even today. Yet their origin is nearly 20 years ago, penned in reference to the new luxury performance brand that had first opened for business on November 8, 1989 with just 51 retailers and two models sharing the decidedly different looking showrooms.

Those dealerships had a true luxury feel – now common in auto retailing – with a reception desk, open offices and an equal emphasis on sales and customer service. The vehicles themselves were also unique, with their focus on Japanese craftsmanship, quiet luxury and an unmatched driving performance.

Much has changed in the two intervening decades. Showrooms have expanded to make room for a full range of luxury performance vehicles, including a coupe, convertible, sedans and SUVs. Yet the original inspiration remains – of a Total Ownership Experience, of Inspired Performance – even as that handful of original dealers in the United States has expanded to include state-of-the-art Infiniti retailers in 35 countries around the globe.

‘A dream that started 20 years ago in the United States is now the blueprint for a global luxury automotive brand,’ said Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President in charge of Global Infiniti Business Unit. ‘In the beginning, Infiniti was an innovator in design, performance, technology and in taking care of our customers throughout the entire ownership experience – just as it is today.’

Looking ahead, the ever-expanding product line will be joined by a second-generation Infiniti M Saloon in spring 2010, followed by an all-new Infiniti QX SUV in summer 2010. Farther out, Infiniti recently announced its first-ever hybrid – the 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid and a future Infiniti EV.

Infiniti – A Brief History
While Infiniti sales officially started on November 8, 1989 in the U.S., plans for Infiniti took root in 1985 with the creation of a top secret ‘Horizon Task Force’ – a group formed within Nissan with a view toward creating a new performance luxury brand.

With existing U.S. and European luxury brands already well entrenched in the American marketplace at the time, investment costs would be high, along with the risk. Given the opportunity to start with a ‘blank sheet of paper,’ the Horizon Task Force took an expansive view. They looked at luxury vehicles both from a product perspective and the entire purchase and ownership process.

The Horizon Task Force singled out for closer study a handful of leading service companies outside of the automotive field, including Federal Express, Four Seasons Hotels and Nordstrom department stores. Ultimately, the Task Force’s findings had a direct influence on everything from the design of the first Infiniti showrooms, which had the look and feel closer to a luxury hotel than a car dealership, to the brand identity process all the way down to details such as the design of business cards and parts and accessories packaging.
This new customer-centric philosophy – later named the ‘Infiniti Total Ownership Experience’ – would be applied to service policies as well, and included the then-unheard of amenity of offering free service loan cars.

The name chosen in July 1987 for the new performance luxury brand symbolised the desire to be always looking forward – to new horizons. With a fresh spelling and a badge with its two central lines leading off into an infinite point on the horizon, Infiniti – with four ‘i’s – was born.

From a product perspective, Infiniti launched in the U.S. with two models: the breakthrough Infiniti Q45 performance luxury sedan and the driver-oriented M30 performance luxury coupe.

With those two models, Infiniti gave the automotive world notice that its product philosophy was based on originality, performance, quality and an enthusiasm for driving.

Where Infiniti was most influential in the early years was in the implementation of Total Ownership Experience. In its first decade of operation, Infiniti was an industry leader in customer satisfaction, winning numerous awards, including the highest rank in J.D. Power and Associates’ Customer Service Index (CSI) study three times and consistent top three finishes in the major independent sales and service studies.

Throughout those early years of Infiniti in the U.S. and Canada, the model lineup and dealer body continued to grow at a steady, prescribed pace. The Q45 was joined over the next few years by the Infiniti G20 compact sports sedan, the dramatically styled J30 luxury sedan, the I30 performance sedan and the QX4 luxury SUV. By the end of its first decade, Infiniti was consistently selling around 75,000 units a year.

In March 2002, the dramatic award-winning Infiniti G Sedan appeared, followed by the G Coupe in November 2002 and the iconic Infiniti FX crossover SUV in January 2003. Each received exceptional media reviews, with Infiniti being consistently compared to the leading European nameplates for design and performance leadership.

As the decade rolled on, two additional models were added in North America – the full-size, North America-built Infiniti QX luxury SUV in January 2004 and the Infiniti M performance luxury sedan in May 2005. In late 2007, the Infiniti EX joined the lineup, followed by second-generation versions of the G and FX. The dramatic G Convertible debuted in summer 2009. A second-generation Infiniti M has been announced for spring 2010, with Infiniti’s first hybrid, the 2011 Infiniti M Hybrid, set to follow about a year later.

While the early Infiniti years were concentrated on North American activities, Infiniti began a period of global expansion in 1996 with sales starting in the Middle East, followed by entry into Taiwan in 1997, South Korea in 2005, Russia in 2006 and Ukraine and China in 2007. Infiniti expanded into Western Europe beginning in late 2008. Today, Infiniti vehicles are sold in 35 countries, extending to 93 percent of global luxury markets.

The original Infiniti vision of always looking ahead to the next horizon – symbolised by the Infiniti name and badge – continues to shape the brand today.

‘While the automotive landscape has changed over the years, our tradition of offering the highest levels of performance, luxury and customer care has remained constant,’ said Jim Wright, vice president, Infiniti Europe and Middle East. ‘With a slate of innovative new products ahead and a renewed commitment to customer service, we’re looking forward to the next 20 years.’

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With studies showing that up to half of all computer owners give their personal computers a custom treatment, Infiniti has teamed with Microsoft Corporation to provide Infiniti-inspired backgrounds, slide shows, screen savers and color customisation as part of the new Windows 7 Desktop Theme Gallery.

The special Infiniti Theme Pack includes images of various Infiniti vehicles such as the futuristic Infiniti Essence Concept, the star of the recent Geneva Motor Show.  Windows 7 users can download from the Windows 7 Desktop Theme Gallery at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=109286.

This is the first time that Microsoft has made the packages available to partner companies.  Infiniti quickly embraced the opportunity to take the first step toward a potentially broad global media synergy with Microsoft.

The link with Microsoft is an obvious one for Infiniti which views technology as an essential ingredient in the ‘modern luxury’ appeal of its automobiles. Infiniti features such as Connectiviti – one of the motoring world’s most fully featured high-tech multimedia systems – is winning fans around the globe for its supreme ease of use.

Personalisation is also a natural fit for a company that puts the emphasis on the individual rather than the masses through its customer service programme, Total Ownership Experience. For people who don’t follow the herd, the Infiniti experience can now start as soon as they log on in the morning.

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Infiniti is making driving in the urban jungle a little more tolerable – with a breath of fresh air from the forest.

Next year’s all new Infiniti M Saloon will be equipped with a newly-developed climate control system that emulates the air of the natural environment.

Infiniti looked to the forest for inspiration because it believes most people rate forest air as the cleanest and most refreshing. As such it’s ideal at promoting an overall feeling of wellness and relieving stress – crucial in today’s fast-paced world – as well as helping keep the driver alert.

Appropriately called Forest Air and to be fitted to all new M models, depending on market, the system avoids the air-conditioned artificiality of simple climate control set-ups by adding gentle breezes, optimum humidity and natural scents. All this is delivered at the temperature of the occupants’ choice and with no unpleasant smells, bugs or pollen entering the cabin.

The result is Infiniti’s most sophisticated climate control system yet and one the engineers who developed it believe is class-leading in many ways. The system offers exceptionally clean and refreshing air quality in all driving situations.

Forest Air is an umbrella term for six areas of technology, some new, some building on proven Infiniti innovations such as the Plasmacluster* ioniser, now more powerful and sensitive than ever.

All-new for this third-generation Infiniti M is an aroma diffuser that subtly scents incoming ventilation air with forest-fresh fragrances, chosen for their specific drive-enhancing qualities. For instance, leaf scent is calming and reduces fatigue, while fragrant wood scent, from the tropical borneol tree, also has a calming effect but in addition aids concentration, important with a car as powerful and dynamic as the new Infiniti M. The scents alternate and are used intermittently.

Instead of blasting air into occupants’ faces, the new Infiniti M will deliver a gentle breeze. Air from the dashboard vents is randomly modulated so it feels far more natural, making the whole cabin environment a more pleasant place to be.

Humidity plays a part in the M’s always-fresh interior. Air-conditioners are good at taking all the humidity out, making interior air very dry. Forest Air leaves a comfortable amount of moisture in the air, avoiding the dried-out feeling but without allowing the windows to fog up. The very precise humidity monitoring needed to achieve this is provided by exterior and interior sensors mounted at the top of the windshield.

For all this to work depends on a first line of defense in keeping bad air out, and the 2011 Infiniti M will have it. Again the system relies heavily on sensors – not just to close the air intake when an odor outside is detected but also to allow bad air already inside, such as tobacco smoke, to escape. Active control like this means as oxygen-rich an interior as possible with low CO2 levels.

Allergens are effectively kept out of the cabin by a new filter in the air-conditioning system. The filter’s fibers are impregnated with natural grape-seed polyphenol that brings a remarkable rise in efficiency. The effect of cedar pollen allergens, for example, is cut by 88 per cent compared to a regular filter.

The sixth ingredient in Forest Air is Infiniti’s Plasmacluster ioniser, already familiar in many markets around the world and soon to be available in Western Europe for the first time. Now more sensitive than ever, its stream of high-density ions is able to decompose the smells that cling to interior trim, down to barely-detectable levels. Apart from this improved deodorizing function, the Plasmacluster is more effective now at inactivating bacteria, mold, viruses, and allergens.

With Forest Air, the Infiniti M models demonstrate what Infiniti has always believed: that quality of air is a key factor in ensuring the driver remains stress-free and alert, and passengers comfortable and relaxed.

The Infiniti M luxury performance saloon will be launched in the UK in Autumn 2010, just as the leaves start falling.

*Plasmacluster is a trademark of Sharp Corporation

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Infiniti has confirmed its first production Hybrid vehicle will form part of the recently announced M range of luxury performance sedans. With its introduction, the Infiniti M35 HYBRID will realise the high performance/low emissions promise of the Essence concept car.

The luxury automotive brand from Japan is simultaneously upping the stakes in the hybrid world by emphasising fuel efficiency alongside an attribute that hasn’t so far featured widely among hybrids: driving pleasure.

On sale beginning Spring 2011, depending on market, the M35 HYBRID has been designed and engineered to add to, not take away from, the driving experience, a key part of any Infiniti’s appeal.

The M35 HYBRID is the brand’s first hybrid in its 20-year existence, as well as the cleanest and most economical car in its history. It is based on the all-new Infiniti M which itself picks up styling cues from Essence, the show-stopper that made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show early in 2009. The M35 HYBRID maintains a high performance luxury sedan profile, overlaying it with the fuel economy and CO2 emissions of a smaller car while delivering driving flair to please any enthusiast, complete with a charismatic V6 and rear-wheel drive handling.

Infiniti’s hybrid system, developed solely within Infiniti’s parent group, is a one electric motor/twin clutch arrangement. Innovatively, the first clutch is installed between the naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 and the electric motor. The result of this elegant engineering configuration, where all components act on a single propshaft to the rear differential, is a consistent driving feel under all conditions with linear performance and the ‘direct responses’ that the engineers sought.

The electric motor acts as both propulsion unit, boosting the V6 in ‘power assist’ mode when maximum acceleration is required, and also as a generator. As well as charging the battery in the normal way, the motor recovers energy otherwise lost during deceleration and braking. The M35 HYBRID can also run solely on its electric motor in certain driving conditions, furthering fuel efficiency.

In this way the M35 HYBRID can optimise energy usage across the widest possible range of driving conditions, promising new levels of efficiency for a large sedan. Details of driving range, performance and transmission will be released later.

As the motoring world would expect of Infiniti, several new technologies are introduced such as a new ‘laminated’ lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack that is the same size as conventional batteries but offers twice the power. Lamination enhances the pack’s cooling performance while temperature stability is further improved by the use of manganese positive electrodes. An end result of this is exceptional battery reliability.

Already the new-generation Infiniti M models are on target to beat their predecessors on fuel consumption and emissions – despite across-the-board performance improvements – thanks to a range of efficiency-enhancing measures.

The M35 HYBRID will join the conventionally-engined M models – including a new high-performance diesel V6 for Western Europe – as the first generation of Infiniti’s luxury performance saloon to be sold across all of its world markets which currently number 33 countries. Depending on market, sales are expected to start from Spring 2010 with the M35 HYBRID arriving around 12 months later.

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The Infiniti G37 Coupé is one of a trio of V6-powered models that make up the Infiniti G37 range for the UK; the others are the G37 Saloon and the G37 Cabrio with electric retractable hard-top. The G37 family is entirely new to the UK and forms a key part of the local launch of Infiniti, Europe’s newest luxury automotive brand.

Infiniti’s guiding principle is ‘Inspired Performance’ and the G37 Coupé hits its mark in spectacular fashion. It is a true performance car that offers spacious two-plus-two accommodation in a beautiful coupé body with a strong street presence. The Coupé shares its mechanical base with the other G37 models but in the styling stakes is a long way from being just a two-door version of the Saloon.

With its long bonnet, low-slung body and front engine/rear drive layout, the G37 Coupé follows coupé convention – but then elevates it to a higher level by way of trademark Infiniti design cues, chassis sophistication and peerless quality. This is backed up by a remarkably complete standard specification and industry-leading levels of customer service.

There is a single engine option: an award-winning 3.7-litre V6 offering a class-leading 320PS (316bhp) and a high-rpm engine note that will delight all keen drivers. Although Infiniti comes from Japan, significant engineering time has been spent tuning the G37 Coupé for European tastes – including coming up with a sportier exhaust note. The engine is mated as standard to a slick-shifting six-speed manual ‘box but comes with the option of an advanced seven-speed automatic, complete with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

There are three versions of the G37 Coupé for the UK – the features-laden G37 Coupé; the luxury-orientated GT with leather upholstery; and the S
with 4-Wheel Active Steer and sports suspension, among other changes. All the G37 Coupés deliver the rewarding driving experience promised by their looks and power, but the S’s mechanical changes endow it with capabilities to satisfy the most demanding drivers.

All G37 Coupés are well equipped as standard with, for example, Infiniti’s Adaptive Front-light System (AFS) where the bi-Xenon headlamps automatically follow the path of the front wheels to illuminate corners. If luxury car buyers expect that – if only as an option from some rival makes – they may not expect self-healing paintwork. Infiniti’s unique Scratch Shield paint uses a highly elastic resin within the conventional clearcoat to increase the paint’s flexibility. A car painted with Scratch Shield can exhibit up to five times fewer scratches than a car with a conventional clearcoat when exposed to the same conditions.

G37 Coupé range prices for the UK are highly competitive given the high performance and complete specification.

G37 Coupé: £31,950″

(Via .)

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Infiniti, the luxury automotive brand from Japan, has confirmed its second Partner for the UK which will expand coverage following the opening of Infiniti’s first Centre near Reading on 12th September 2009.

For both its UK Partners, Infiniti has turned to companies already experienced in the brand and its values, as well as in the luxury automotive market. The first Partner already announced by Infiniti, namely Rymco UK, is the brand’s importer in the Lebanon. Its second UK Partner is to be Mana Premiere Automobiles UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Mana International Holding, which descends from a business group with a wealth of experience in the motor retail business within the GCC region representing Infiniti, Nissan and Renault.

Mana Premiere Automobiles UK will operate sites across the UK and have already identified addresses in South London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Stockport. A further five Infiniti locations will be announced in due course. When added to the three Centres planned to be opened under Rymco UK, including Infiniti Centre Reading, this takes Infiniti’s final network to at least 13 Centres. Coverage will extend to almost the entire country as all Centres will offer the customer the Infiniti VIP Service which provides collection and delivery of their vehicle for annual maintenance up to 150 miles from the Infiniti Centre (beyond this is also available at customer contribution). Birmingham and Glasgow should be the next Centres to be completed after Reading, with their doors scheduled to open around the middle of 2010.

The full Infiniti range of performance cars including the G37 Saloon, G37 Coupé, G37 Convertible, EX37 coupé crossover and the FX line of crossovers will be available from launch. This line-up will be expanded to include a larger saloon model and a performance V6 diesel during 2010.

As with the rest of Europe, the Infiniti Centres that will be operated in the UK by Mana Premiere Automobiles UK follow the IREDI concept (Infiniti Retail Environment Design Initiative) which aims to create a welcoming and hospitable environment for buying and servicing Infiniti’s performance cars. The architecture is energetic and modern, with an accent on natural materials and warm furnishings.

Here Japanese luxury meets Japan’s renowned reputation for premium service. Infiniti calls this the Total Ownership Experience. As the name suggests, this ethos which is central to the brand is not just applied at the time of purchase. It also extends throughout the whole period of ownership with many benefits including collection and delivery of an Infiniti for servicing, and a mobility service that covers the owner whatever vehicle he or she might be in. Nobody understands this commitment to quality service better than an existing Infiniti Partner, especially one that has operated in a fast growing luxury market like the Middle East.”

(Via .)

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The UK’s first – and Europe’s 22nd – Infiniti Centre opens its elegant glass doors for the first time on 12 September. Europe’s newest luxury automotive brand has selected Reading, hi-tech hub and commercial capital of the Thames Valley, as the town where Infiniti’s introduction to the UK, 20 years in the making, at last gets under way.

The UK’s inaugural Infiniti showroom is testament to both the Japanese brand’s ethos of “Inspired Performance” and also to the commitment of Infiniti’s UK partner in taking every aspect of luxury car ownership to a new and higher level.

Like other Infiniti Centres throughout the rest of Europe, the Reading base turns the traditional car showroom on its head. For its location, architecture, facilities and hand-picked staff, the Infiniti Centre Reading has more in common with a luxury goods store than a car showroom. Its welcoming ambience and comfortable furnishings emulate the lobby of a boutique hotel – providing the perfect introduction to the stress-free world of Infiniti ownership known as Total Ownership Experience.

Infiniti, and its distribution partner Rymco UK, have chosen a high-profile location that offers maximum customer convenience. At 25-27 Rose Kiln Lane – the A33 road into Reading – the UK’s first Infiniti Centre is just 10 minutes from Junction 11 of the M4 and close to the corporate HQs of some of the country’s biggest financial and technology firms.

The Reading Centre offers Britons the first taste of Infiniti’s passion for contemporary design, craftsmanship and advanced technology, characteristics just as evident in Infiniti Centres as in Infiniti cars. An open, airy feel, sophisticated colours and natural materials provide a striking backdrop for the cars. Interactive computers and high-definition flat screens go hand in hand with bespoke leather furniture and specially commissioned paintings.

To the rear of the complex there’s an eight-bay workshop along with body centre and parts department. Plenty of parking and opening hours – including 10am-4pm on Sundays and bank holidays – aim to make life as easy as possible for customers.

As befits the challenge of breaking in to one of the world’s most mature luxury car markets, the new brand and the new Centre are joined by a complete line-up of new Infiniti models, all of which take centre stage for the opening of the Infiniti Centre Reading.

Saloon and Coupé versions of the distinctive and potent G37 are joined by Infiniti’s latest model for Europe, the G37 Convertible. Seductive looks, whether the electrically retractable hard-top is up or down, go hand in hand with 155mph performance to make this one of the world’s fastest four-seat convertibles. G37 prices start at £30,300.

V6-powered and with the security of intelligent all-wheel drive, the EX is a crossover with the style of a coupé, the practicality of an estate and the driving appeal of a sports car. EX prices start at £35,200.

Everything that Infiniti stands for comes together in the stunning form of the FX, a full-size crossover priced from £42,600 and which effortlessly blends luxury with high performance. In V8 flagship form, the FX50S has a strong claim to be the sportiest, best-equipped and most advanced crossover that its money (£53,800) can buy.

All Infinitis are designed to be true drivers’ cars and display passion not just in their individualistic designs but also in their tuneful engines and confidence-inspiring handling. All feature the most efficient petrol engine technology available and all have been honed to deliver in the most demanding of European environments. Features such as Scratch-shield paint and Around View Monitor are unavailable elsewhere – at any price.

All Infinitis also come with customer service unlike that of any other car. Total Ownership Experience is a bespoke, customer-focused programme that makes owning an Infiniti an effortless and rewarding experience.

Each Infiniti owner is assigned their own Customer Account Manager who is their single point of contact throughout their period of ownership. The account manager will, for example, arrange servicing. Uniquely, Infiniti offers free collection and delivery (within a 150-mile radius) of cars due a service, guaranteeing that owners will never feel far from an Infiniti Centre – and further ensuring owners suffer as little inconvenience as possible.

This is backed up by a mobility package comprising roadside and touring assistance with Infiniti specialists on hand to make sure owners are never left stranded – wherever they are, at whatever time. And even if they are not driving their Infiniti. Every new Infiniti also comes with an industry-leading peace-of-mind package with warranties covering the vehicle (60,000 miles or three years), the body (12-year anti-corrosion), and the paint (three years against defects).

The Infiniti partner in Reading, Rymco UK, was set up by a partnership formed for this purpose by Rymco SAL and Mr Nasser Al-Kharafi, president of the Al-Kharafi Group. Rymco SAL – Rasamny Younis Motor Company, a joint stock company listed on the Lebanese stock exchange – has been a leading automotive retailer in Lebanon since 1957.

Rymco UK is headed up by Managing Director, Paul Atkinson, who is well experienced in retailing in the UK premium car sector. Rymco UK plans to open more Infiniti Centres in and around London.

In fact the Infiniti Centre Reading is just one of many such showrooms to be established in key locations throughout the UK over the next months, bringing Infiniti cars to within reach of the majority of the population.

Next year new Centres will open in London, Birmingham and Glasgow. In 2011 a further four Infiniti Centres are planned for Stockport and Leeds, with two more in London serving the north and south of the capital.

10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT INFINITI CENTRES

* The paintings hanging on the walls are all originals, all specially commissioned by Infiniti
* Infiniti Centres are run with distribution partners, companies highly qualified in selling premium goods – the key to offering the highest levels of customer satisfaction
* Wherever in the world they are, the design of all Infiniti Centres is laid down by IREDI – Infiniti Retail Environment Design Initiative
* Infiniti Centres follow a lobby/lounge/gallery layout with the natural light and high ceilings of the lobby area emulating the feel of an exclusive boutique hotel
* The high-definition screen technology on which customers can preview colour schemes and trim options was specially designed and manufactured in Europe for Infiniti
* All the sofas and lounge chairs were designed by acclaimed designer Walter Knoll
* The entrance to every Infiniti Centre is the same: through a door surrounded by Travertine stone
* The music on the CDs in cars available for test drives was specially chosen and recorded by Infiniti
* Apart from the main handover when an owner first takes delivery of their new Infiniti, a second “handover” a month later is offered – just to make sure the owner is entirely at ease with their new car
* The first European Infiniti Centre opened in Paris in October 2008 and now there are Centres in some of Europe’s best addresses in Barcelona, Madrid, Sofia, Athens, Milan, Prague, Warsaw, Zurich, Tel Aviv and Geneva

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Infiniti today provided an advanced look at the all-new 2011 Infiniti M performance luxury saloon at the 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This is the third generation of Infiniti’s popular M and the first to be sold across all of Infiniti’s 32 markets around the world, including Western Europe.

Like the current Infiniti M, the next-generation design will be offered with V8 and V6 engines. The 2011 M models will be designated the Infiniti M56 and Infiniti M37 respectively, reflecting their more powerful, larger displacement engines. For Western Europe, the M56 will be replaced by a V6 performance diesel.

The 2011 Infiniti M also features a completely redesigned body, with authentic sports saloon proportions and evocative new styling with a low front end and deeply sculpted wings inspired by the Infiniti Essence concept car. The new M interior promises to be pure Infiniti, highlighted by the use of innovative materials, an advanced climate control system, superior audio and an enhanced quality feel. Despite improved performance from the new engine line-up, fuel consumption will be reduced. In addition, the 2011 M will continue Infiniti’s safety innovation leadership with an industry-first Side-Collision Prevention (SCP) system. The SCP system is designed to alert the driver if another vehicle is detected during an intended lane change and help prevent a potential collision by moving the vehicle toward the center of the original lane of travel.

The 2011 Infiniti M which is scheduled to go on sale across the world starting from Spring 2010, was revealed through a unique video mapping process, in which a ‘virtual M’ was created on a 3D form. It is the world’s first ‘virtual only’ (no physical vehicle) automotive application of this cutting-edge technology. The 2011 Infiniti M will make its official public debut later this year.

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