Mercedes has the SLK, BMW has the Z4 Coupe, Porsche has the Cayman and Infiniti… well Infiniti has nothing, really. Nissan’s prestige arm is currently in the process of revitalising itself and extending its reach beyond just the US market, and part of that revitalisation process means developing new models - models like a compact coupe designed to go head-to-head with the best Europe has to offer.
Infiniti, like Lexus, has tended to model itself on Mercedes Benz and BMW, two companies who have traditionally dominated the global luxury market. Consequently Infiniti’s offerings have tended to ape those from the German players, however there’s been one corner of the prestige segment that’s so far been neglected by the Japanese manufacturer. That all may change very soon though, as Inside Line reports that Infiniti is working on a pint-sized sports coupe that will take the fight to the Germans when it “turns up in concept car form at a motor show within the next year.”
Inside Line has apparently confirmed the new coupe will be available to North American buyers in 2010, with European deliveries beginning shortly thereafter. It’s likely to be based on the same FM platform as the new 370Z and could possibly share some of its architecture with Nissan’s new FR compact sports car. Inside Line says to expect a 2.5-litre VQ25 V6 under the bonnet, but I’d like to think that Infiniti would eventually up the ante by dropping in the award-winning VQ37VHR from the G37 Coupe for a hi-po variant. Like most of the other cars in Infiniti’s range the emphasis will be on luxury rather than performance but with the Z’s chassis, a short wheelbase and a revvy motor driving the rear wheels, Infiniti’s pint-sized coupe could be a real winner.
Infiniti really is shaping up to be the one to watch over the coming years. With an imminent expansion into Europe, a bevy of new models on the way and super-CEO Carlos Ghosn at the helm of parent company Nissan, Infiniti looks like it’ll be giving Lexus something to worry about in the near future. Too bad we can’t get ‘em down here in Australia.
[Inside Line, image courtesy of Holiday Auto]
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Yeah Infiniti is of course looking more exciting than Acura (bland) and Lexus (mostly bland) but also BMW (crap designs) and Mercedes (AMG models heavy as sin). Sure Acura and Lexus will be getting their supercars but isn’t Infiniti rumoured to be getting a four door GTR? Who knows, I love their styling direction and would buy this new compact coupe.
The Infiniti 4-door GT-R rumour was just that - a rumour. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has denied Infiniti will be receiving such a vehicle in the near future and that the priority for that company is to update the aging Q45/Cima/President. It’s a bit disappointing to hear that they won’t be getting their own M5-killer anytime soon, but keep in mind that such a model would never sell in the volumes that Nissan needs to be profitable. Pity.
I suppose in a way not having that ‘M5-killer’ risks their image when the Acura and Lexus supercars come out. It’ll make them seem less prevalent despite the fact they have an apparent quality lineup of sports car etc not just one or two quality vehicles dragging the rest up like in other companies.