Infiniti presses ahead with luxury brand

Oct 7 2008 Steve Hughes

Infiniti presses ahead with luxury brand

THE new luxury division of Nissan has announced that the Infiniti G37 Convertible will go on sale in the UK next summer.

Despite the recession sweeping through every European market, Infiniti says it is pressing ahead with plans to introduce its range of expensive high-powered luxury models.

Initially the company said that the G37 Convertible was earmarked for the lucrative North American market only and was under consideration for Europe at a later stage.

Now Infiniti says that the stylish drop-top newcomer will join its Coupe and Saloon stablemates, with just a single engine choice comprising a 3.7-litre V6 generating 320bhp.

The drip-feed of information to maximise interest during the run-up to the brand's launch here continues with the first photograph of the rear of the Convertible.

When it arrives here next summer it will be up against the new Lexus IS 250 C, which is a similar offering from the luxury arm of arch-rival Toyota.

Both cars will reach the UK at about the same time but the Lexus will have a smaller petrol engine of just 2.5-litres with an output of 205bhp and will be able to be fitted with the 40mpg diesel engine currently available in the IS 220d saloon.

When Nissan embarked upon its plan to launch the luxury Infiniti brand in Europe sales of Lexus, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz were soaring, house prices were rising at record levels and financial markets seemed rock-solid.

Now the company has passed the point of no-return, with stocks of the new models at newly-appointed dealerships throughout Europe and sales due to start within weeks.

Using the tag line "Inspired Performance", the Infiniti line-up will include various versions of the 145mph FX37 performance crossover with prices starting at 56,000 euros and the G37 Saloon, Coupe and Convertible which will cost up to 77,000 euros for the 5.0-litre Saloon.

Sales start this month in France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece, Poland and Bulgaria with the rest to follow.