AIMS: Local debut for G37

INFINITI will bring its highly anticipated G37 coupe and convertible to the Australian International Motor Show this year, just weeks before going on sale in December.

It will be the first time the Japanese prestige marque has exhibited at the show, despite a brief stint in Australia from 1993 as a Lexus rival when it released the slow-selling Q45 luxury sedan.

Only the convertible and coupe versions of the current-shape G37 are on the agenda for Infiniti Cars Australia at this stage.

Plans to introduce the sedan variant locally will have to wait as a new model is currently being developed and will be revealed at the Detroit motor show in January.

This will follow a likely international launch for the new sedan in the second quarter of next year and Australia in late 2013 or early 2014.

When the next-generation G series does arrive, it will be developed and built in Japan on a new real-wheel-drive platform specifically designed for Infiniti.

From top: Infiniti FX and M.

The G37 is Infiniti’s entrant in the premium small-car segment, with competitors including the Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.

A number of G37 coupes can already be seen on Australian roads as grey imports from Japan, where the vehicle is sold as the Nissan Skyline.

Each model in the G range is powered by a 231kW 3.7-litre V6 engine that is closely related to the powerplant from parent company Nissan’s 370Z sportscar.

The G37 shares other mechanical links with the 370Z, but the Infiniti is the larger of the two, incorporating a second row of seats and pitching itself as a more luxurious and exclusive offering.

Infiniti launched in Australia in September with an initial two-model line-up, featuring the M large sedan and FX SUV.

The M faces a tough task stealing sales from rivals in the large segment, facing the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and recently launched Lexus GS, while the FX is taking on the BMW X5 and the recently facelifted Lexus RX.