Nissan set to unveil Infiniti range

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Feb 29, 2008

Byline: By STEVE HUGHES

NISSAN is preparing to give its new Infiniti saloon and coupe models their first public unveiling to rival some remarkably similar models from arch rival Lexus .

The Infinity brand is to Nissan what the Lexus brand is to Toyota, with both representing the luxury arm of the two Japanese giants.

Lexus has already established its IS and GS saloon ranges, but soon they will face opposition from the new Infiniti G37 models, to which they bear more than a passing resemblance .

The G37 saloon and coupe, pictured, use a 3.7-litre engine, with the sleek coupe being on a mission to impress Europeans ahead of a massive onslaught by Infiniti.

Power is in the region of 330bhp with 270lb/ft of torque, or pulling power, to give exhilarating performance .

The company says that both cars, plus the rest of the gradually expanding Infiniti range, will come with a host of extra-cost luxury options.

Nissan, together with several other hopefuls, have tried and failed to crack the profitable European luxury car market in the past.

It has proved to be an costly exercise in most cases, with massive investment producing cars that have lain unwanted in showrooms only to be shifted at give-away prices before being quietly discontinued.