Nissan's luxury division, Infiniti, unveiled the next generation of its popular sports coupe at the New York show last week. Now called the G37, the latest iteration has been thoroughly revised and features more power, chassis revisions, and an even more cosseting interior.

Infiniti has seen considerable success with the G37's predecessor, the G35 coupe, first launched on US shores in 2003. The car has averaged annual sales figures of nearly 26,000, bettering BMW 3 Series Coupé sales by more than 10,000 units. The automaker is poised to continue the trend with the new coupe, which has seemingly matured.

The new G37 coupe's evolutionary design is longer, lower and wider than the previous iteration, but not by much. The definitive sports coupe stance (long bonnet and short deck) is emphasised by the wider front and rear tracks and complemented by the recessed C-pillar. The modern shape features many of Infiniti's signature design cues, including the double-arch grille, L-shaped bi-xenon head lamps with integrated fog lamps and a wave-style aluminium bonnet. Large LED tail lamps, another Infiniti element, feature above a revised bumper with dual exhaust outlets.

As the alphanumeric nomenclature signals, this latest iteration of the sports coupe is motivated by a new 3.7-litre V6 engine with an estimated 330bhp and 270lb.ft of torque, 37bhp more powerful than the 3.5-litre unit it replaces. It can be coupled to either a five-speed automatic transmission (with optional paddle shifters) or a revised six-speed manual transmission.

The new engine's increased displacement is combined with hydraulically-controlled variable valve timing and electronically-controlled variable valve lift on the intake side, improving performance throughout the power band and boosting fuel efficiency while decreasing emissions. Infiniti claims a 40 per cent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions and a ten per cent boost in fuel economy.

Built on a revised version of the FM (front-mid) platform that underpins most of the Infiniti range, the new chassis is claimed to be 36 per cent stiffer than that of its predecessor. The new car also features an optional four-wheel active steering system for improved driving dynamics, while the G37 Sport employs an Akebono braking system utilising 356mm front and 351mm rear discs, with four-piston front and two-piston rear aluminium callipers.

The interior of the G37 coupe is also entirely new. The instrument panel design is angled toward the driver and features violet and white electro-luminescent instrumentation and aluminium-alloy trim, allegedly inspired by handmade Japanese Washi paper. The standard leather seats include electrical adjustment and power adjustable torso and thigh bolsters in 'Journey' and 'Sport' derivations. Below the large navigation system screen (which can be optioned to double as a rear view monitor) is a centre console stretching the length of the cabin.

Available Stateside in August this year, this seductive coupe will come in three guises, but the one on our wish list is the Sport with a six-speed manual. We're certain the entire range of sports coupes will become a success when Infiniti begins selling vehicles in Europe in 2008, competing head-to-head with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Eric Gallina - 10 Apr 2007