As tough gigs go, launching not only a new car but also a new brand into the shark-infested waters of the European prestige saloon market has to be right up there.
From April 2009 Japanese upstart Infiniti dives into a highly competitive and diesel-dominated ocean already densely populated with revered brands – and with only high-performance petrol models to initially keep it afloat.
One of its key cars will be the G37 saloon, which is currently Infiniti’s second-best seller in the US behind the FX45 large 4×4. BusinessCar was granted an early drive, so early in fact that the car driven wasn’t fully finished.
As a taped-up test mule it’s hard to truly assess the car’s interior and exterior quality, although ‘quietly stylish’ could cover it for now, even if our version was a bit beige. Sportier trims should offer more chrome and black leather. Audi needn’t be concerned in terms of consistency and attention to detail, but BMW might need to have a look over its shoulder – at least on the inside.
Described by an Infiniti spokesman as “90%” of the car Europe will be offered next spring, the “test G37 saloon” certainly offered a…
