By Mike Torpey on 2012-06-11 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
Infiniti M30d S
THE executive traveller who dares to be different isn't exactly spoilt for choice these days.
Of course there's the excellent Jaguar XF, heavy duty Chrysler 300C and silky smooth Lexus GS in addition to the big three German brands.
Beyond those we're edging into the serious money league.
But Japanese car maker Infiniti, a manufacturer in the midst of an ambitious European expansion programme, believes it has what it describes as ‘a sports sedan to stir the soul'.
Where Lexus is the luxury arm of Toyota, Infiniti is the Nissan equivalent - with a line-up of saloons, coupes, convertibles and crossovers that represent an interesting alternative to the traditional big guns of the executive class.
The M saloon line-up marked Infiniti's arrival in the European executive arena and offers a choice of petrol, diesel or hybrid power.
Strongest seller though is the M30d oil-burner powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine producing a hefty 238ps and capable of hitting 62mph in under seven seconds via a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy isn't exactly frugal - you'll be a smart eco driver to return the official combined figure of 37.7mpg - but the engine is near silent and ride quality beautifully smooth.
In its effort to lure custom away from the established players Infiniti has two trump cards in its deck.
One is an aggressive styling that in my view leans towards Americana and is refreshingly different but certainly an acquired taste; the other a supreme level of luxury.
Scratch Shield paint, Active Noise Control and goodies like heated leather steering wheel, rear view camera and Hard Disk Drive Infiniti Music Box with CD reader are on every car, while an air purifying climate control system called Forest Air to keep out nasty niffs is one of only three extra cost options.
Prefer sporty and the tested S trim model comes with solid magnesium shift paddles behind the steering wheel, ivory perforated leather seats with Infiniti embossing, aluminium pedals and black lacquer trim.
This model also introduces the 4-Wheel Active Steering set-up at the heart of the Japanese company's most dynamic cars plus sports suspension, a sport design front bumper and 20-inch double-spoke alloy wheels.
With any Infiniti model, standing out from the crowd is guaranteed and with the M series there's comfort and space for four adults, reasonable luggage capacity and a fast expanding UK dealer network for back-up.
The rest is down to taste.
Infiniti M30d S
Price: £42,235
Mechanical: 235bhp, 2,993cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving rear wheels via 7-speed automatic gearbox
Max Speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 6.9 seconds
Combined MPG: 37.7
Insurance Group: 46
C02 emissions: 199g/km
Bik rating: 32%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles
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