Infiniti to impact on coupe and 4×4 sales

Come September, Britains motoring media will be raving about all things Infiniti – the brand is going to blitz these shores with some truly classy machines.

Nissans Luxury marque is out to make a killing in the coupe and four wheel drive markets, where it will undoubtedly push a few established premium brand noses out of joint.

And Infiniti can thank Lexus for that – it took a lot of Toyota persistence for the brand to be seen as a stand alone and a genuine competitor among the big money motors.

With Lexus having smoothed the way for another Japanese quality car to sell well, Infiniti’s offerings will be well received – especially its offering in the crossover compact 4×4 market, the EX.

On its late summer arrival, dont confuse it with the mightier 4×4 the FX, which will cost from £42,600 for the 3.7 litre V6 37 GT, to £53,800 for the 5.0 Litre V8 50 S.

And you certainly wont confuse it with Infinitis other arrival the new G37 3.7 litre, v6 convertible, which will carry a £40,000 plus price tag.

No the all wheel drive EX crossover – Infiniti prefers it to be called a coupe crossover – is billed as somehting a little smaller, a little more dynamic in looks for the big spending 4×4 customer, and prices will run from £35,200.

Infiniti is busy establishing its UK wide Infiniti dealers network now, intending the whole purchase aftercare experience to be take to star treatment levels.

Britain will be the 12th European country to welcome the Infiniti brand, and the firms pledge is to treat every customer like a VIP to make buying and running a car more rewarding.

For the annual service, for example, there’s free car collection and delivery covering up to a 150 mile radius from the showroom, The elegant EX will be available in two versions, the EX37 and the EX37 GT, and both get a powerful, highly efficient 3.7 litre V6 petrol engine for near-sports car performance.

The ex can do the 0-62mph gallop in just 6.4 seconds, and a seven speed automatic gearbox comes as standard, with manual mode built in.

The electronic all wheel drive system sees power output biased towards the rear wheels, to give a more controlled speed delivery right up to the top limit of 149mph.

Both the EX37 and 37GT models get exceptional levels of equipment, plus a couple of innovative additions, such as Scratch Shield paint and electric, folding rear sears.

Thats on top of standard items such as 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, bluetooth media connectivity plus ipod outlet, “round-corners” headlamps, fully powered front seats and rear privacy glass.

If running costs need to be considered the EX37 has an official combined fuel cycle figure of 25mpg and its CO2 emissions figure is 265g/km.

The EX37 GT will sell for £36,500, and it gets full leather upholstery – and even a coat hanger built into the rear of the drivers headrest.