SEDUCTIVE lines and dynamic curves are a sure-fire way to grab the attention of a prospective new car buyer.

The question is whether that's enough to tempt someone to shell out north of £33,000 for even an entry grade model - in the face of some established and compelling rivals.

This is the problem faced by Infiniti, Nissan's luxury sub-brand, in trying to inspire confidence and buoy sales in its stylish sports saloon the Q70.

Long, sleek and elegant, the Q70 certainly stands out from the crowd and looks especially distinguished cloaked in luscious metallic paint jobs.

And to Infiniti's credit even the entry grade 2.2D Premium model comes dressed to thrill as well as being powered by a 170ps oil-burner that makes the car more economically attractive than before and gives it a ‘greener' profile.

Performance is keen with a 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds plus the potential to near double the upper speed limit while there's an optimistic official average fuel figure of 58.9mpg.

My own largely urban return was substantially below that mark on 38.8, which I would expect to improve on over the long term by about another 8-10mpg.

As for the driving experience, it's a positive one as the Infiniti is well balanced, has a nicely weighted steering and slips seamlessly through the seven-speed automatic gearbox.

On the downside there's a fair bit of engine noise.

Quality is rarely an issue with Infiniti and whether driver or passenger, you are greeted by a touch of class on stepping into the cabin.

Great lengths have been taken to make the cockpit an extension of the driver, so switches and controls are carefully positioned so there's no need to alter driving posture.

Functions like traffic info, tyre pressure, fuel economy, Where Am I, voice recognition, navigation and even the position and number of satellites are accessed via a clear, easy to use colour touchscreen.

Soft leather seats with graphite inserts give the car an executive appeal while attention to detail like the small analogue clock makes a noticeable difference.

Space for four is on the generous side of ample, though anything but short journeys for a centre rear passenger could prove uncomfortable as the centre position is perched and legs need to be splayed either side of the transmission tunnel.

Also irritating is the fact that the electric seat adjusters are tight to the door frame, making them tricky to access.

Shifting a family's luggage is no problem though, thanks to a large, long boot with a netted area to the side.

So there's plenty to recommend the Q70 - from the quality of the fit and finish to the car's sharp, dominant styling - provided you can cope with quite heavy depreciation.

And should the absence of a nearby dealer be a concern, worry not - Infiniti will collect, service or repair, and return your car, providing a loan vehicle in the meantime.