IT'S the car Infiniti insists has the power and punch to take on anything in its class.

And the premium producer has now issued first pictures of its diesel-powered EX30d compact crossover vehicle.

Said to offer hushed performance with low fuel consumption and C02 emissions, the EX30d has a bespoke three-litre V6 engine delivering 235bhp and whopping 550Nm of torque.

With its standard seven-speed automatic transmission, the Infiniti despatches 0-62 mph in 7.9 seconds, though its performance is defined more by the massive torque output - greater even than Infiniti's storming five-litre petrol V8.

While the EX has relied on its coupe looks, dynamic handling and luxury equipment, it can now take on crossover rivals head-on in the fuel consumption and CO numbers game.

The key figures are claimed to be an average 33.6 miles per gallon and 224 g/km of emissions.

The EX30d will be the second model in the Infiniti range to get the new diesel V6 when UK sales begin in the summer, at prices to be announced later.

It is expected that, throughout Europe, eight out of every ten EXs will be the new EX30d.

Models will be available in three grades including a new Premium version with all of the class's most wanted features included as standard.