The size of the G37 fits in between the BMW 3 and 5 Series. The exterior length is more in keeping with the 5 Series but the interior is similar to the 3 Series. The G37 S is part of the G37 four door saloon range, with the other models being the standard G37 priced at £30,300 and the G37 GT priced at £31,600. The car we tested, the top of the range G37 S, is priced at £33,500. The S model gains leather seat facings, 14 way electric driver’s seat, lumbar support, sports suspension, aluminium pedals and foot rest, 18” 5 double spoke alloy wheels and 4WAS (4 wheel active steering) as standard over the other models. We haven’t driven any other models in the saloon range but with the sports suspension fitted, it did feel extremely hard and verging on uncomfortable. The 4WAS really does work and makes steering really positive, especially on motorways where you could go between lanes and it felt as though it was moving sideways. A similar system is fitted to the Laguna Coupe GT within Infiniti’s sister company, Renault. It is very clever and feels so safe and solid but there are very few occasions where you would need it and it would hardly be missed if it wasn’t there. The best view of the car is on the inside as it just oozes quality and feels like a prestige car when you sit in it. All the materials used are good, the fit and finish is excellent but is it really anything special? Would you want to rush out and spend over £30,000 on one when there are plenty of other quality cars that have a large dealer network, a much wider choice of engines and are well established? However, owning an Infiniti does offer exclusivity as there will not be many of them around.

All the Infiniti G37 models are powered by a 3.7 litre V6 petrol engine that produces 320hp. It goes from 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds, the official combined fuel figure is 25.7 mpg and it has a CO2 emissions figure of 255g/km. This is the only engine available and there are no plans to introduce either a smaller petrol engine or a diesel. The range also includes a G37 coupe, an EX crossover and an FX 4x4. All of which use the same 3.7 petrol engine, with a larger 5.0 V8 option in the FX.

The exterior design is that of a typical four door saloon with no really unusual lines that make it stand out from the crowd or give it a stylish look. The real test is the neighbour reaction. Do they come and have a look or not? The same test can be done in the car park or on the road but it did not attract one person and nobody gave it a second look. Maybe that is what customers who will buy this car will want; to be completely anonymous, discreet and not to be seen in a flash car. It is not going to be easy for Infiniti to make in roads into the UK market with fairly bland looking vehicles that are relatively expensive to buy and very expensive to run, considering the large petrol engines. There will be a very limited dealer network, with 1 dealer in Reading this year and a further 5 planned for 2010 and 5 for 2011, so finding a local dealer for sales and service could be tricky. They also have to get over the stigma by some potential buyers of being part of the Renault Nissan alliance, although there is absolutely nothing wrong with that connection and in fact sharing resources has to be a major benefit. This is exactly the wrong time to launch a new brand into the UK, into a sector that is already finding it difficult.