Infiniti is broadening its diesel range with the addition of the EX30d, which will go on sale in the UK from July this year.
The compact SUV will compete with the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, with prices starting at £35,975. Infiniti expects the EX30d to greatly increase the Japanese SUV's appeal to UK buyers and the new model is estimated to account for 80 percent of all EX sales.
Average economy of 33.2mpg is provided by the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, which delivers 235bhp. Performance is keen and the EX30d covers 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 137mph, helped by 406lb.ft of torque at 1,750rpm.
The power is fed to all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. Emissions just manage to sneak under the tax band for the heaviest polluting cars, with the EX30d producing 224g/km of carbon dioxide to sit one band lower than the maximum for road and company car tax.
Infiniti will offer the EX30d in three trim levels, starting with the entry-level model that costs £35,975. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights, electric windows all round, climate control, front and rear parking sensors, electric adjustment for the front seats, cruise control and a CD stereo with MP3 and Bluetooth connection.
The EX30d GT model features leather upholstery, heated front seats with position memory, electrically adjusted steering column and separate controls for the rear seat air conditioning. Prices for the GT model starts at £37,305.
For £41,220, customers can opt for the top spec EX30d GT Premium that has Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Brake Assist and Forward Collision Warning to help avoid low-speed shunts, as well as an upgraded infotainment system. Every diesel-engined EX model also comes with Lane Departure Prevention to warn the driver of the car wandering between lanes and to help guide the car back into lane with gentle brake applications.
Infiniti reckons the GT Premium model will be the best seller of the EX30d range and diesel-powered EX models can be identified by a reshaped front bumper with extra air intakes.
Alisdair Suttie - 24 May 2010
