THE inexorable march of Japanese luxury brand Infiniti continues this week with the announcement of prices and specifications of the company's first, developed-for-Europe diesel saloon.

It's little more than a year since the Nissan-owned premium brand first appeared in the UK but it has already launched an impressive array of executive models.

Next to arrive will be the Infiniti M30d which will join the V6 petrol-powered M37 luxury saloon in the autumn and will be powered by the company's first engine developed specifically for Europe - a three-litre V6 piezo-injection diesel with a massive 550 Nm of torque and CO emissions of 199 g/km.

The M30d accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 37.7mpg.

Like its petrol-powered stablemate, the M30d will be available in five trim levels with prices starting from £36,750 and rising to £46,600.