AIMS: Infiniti to showcase G37 coupe, convertible

JAPANESE luxury brand Infiniti will give the G37 coupe and convertible their first official Australian outing at the Sydney motor show on October 18 ahead of a December on-sale date.

Nissan-owned Infiniti will join General Motors’ European brand Opel as Sydney show debutantes this year – and the latter is confirmed to have a “surprise” unveiling at Darling Harbour.

The sedan version of Infiniti’s BMW 3 Series competitor will remain absent as a new-generation model is in the works and now set to receive its world debut at the Detroit motor show in January, rather than Geneva in March as originally planned.

Already on sale in Australia are the FX SUV, which goes head-to-head with vehicles like the BMW X5 and Lexus RX, and the M sedan that provides an alternative to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series Lexus GS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Opel’s surprise Sydney unveiling is widely expected to be the Mokka compact SUV, while high-performance OPC derivatives of the existing Corsa light car, Insignia mid-sizer and Astra GTC sports hatch could also break cover.

GoAuto understands Opel will have seven cars on its Sydney stand with a theme of past, present and future – but the future element will not be confirmed until closer to the show.

Australian international motor show event director Russ Tyrie welcomed the debut of two new brands at Sydney as “a momentous occasion in Australian automotive history”.

"I feel very proud that both Opel and Infiniti will be exhibiting at the Australian International Motor Show as part of their launch strategies in Australia which demonstrates not only their commitment and recognition of our local automotive industry, but as well, the importance and significance of the Motor Show to this industry," he said.

Infiniti’s sporty rear-drive G37 has close mechanical ties with the Nissan 370Z coupe and roadster range, but the G is larger, only available with an automatic transmission and adds an extra level of luxury and refinement – plus rear seating.

Australians might find the G37 coupe looks familiar because numerous examples have slipped into the country as grey imports from Japan, where it is sold as the Nissan Skyline.

All G models are powered by a 231kW 3.7-litre V6 enabling every model to reach 100km/h in six seconds or less, on the way to a top speed of 250km/h.

Performance-oriented IPL variants feature a tweaked, higher-revving version of the V6 packing more power but a lack of right-hand drive production rules these out for Australia.

Australian specifications are not yet confirmed but the G coupe line-up is sold overseas in GT and S Premium trim, come with bi-Xenon adaptive headlights, power-adjustable heated leather seats and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Top-spec S Premium models add adaptive cruise control, four-wheel steering, a limited-slip differential, sports suspension and upgraded brakes.

Like the BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS-C, the G37 convertible has a folding hard-top roof.

It is similarly specified to the coupe but sold in flagship GT Premium trim, which gains 19-inch wheels, climate-controled seats, a 13-speaker Bose sound system with head-rest mounted speakers and the option of ‘Monaco’ red leather upholstery and red-stained maple wood interior trim.

Infiniti dipped a toe into the Australian market in the mid-1990s with the Q45, a large rear-drive sedan sold through Nissan dealerships.

Until right-hand drive engineering was done so Infiniti could enter the UK market in 2009, its products were largely designed for the US market and available only in left-hand drive.