So, with the financial world going to rack and ruin, isn’t this just the time to launch a very upmarket car?

Well, Infiniti think so. This, in case you hadn’t heard, is the upmarket wing of Nissan. Their equivalent to Toyota’s Lexus.

Although it’s new here – just about to be launched, in fact – it is an established brand in other markets, most notably America where it’s been around for 20 years. Now with the advent of diesel versions, Nissan’s bosses think the time is right to launch the brand here.

We haven’t got a dealership in these parts yet. The first, in Reading, Berkshire, has just opened and we will have one in Leeds, but not until 2011. No worries, though. Infiniti operate a 150-mile collection service for servicing, so the Birmingham centre (which opens in the New Year) will be quite handy.

Anyway, more of the car. Infinity are producing a range of saloons, convertibles and luxury 4x4s which stand comparison with the best German brands. Understated, perhaps, but very well presented, beautifully equipped and smartly styled.

The G37 saloon, tested here, is best described as a BMW 3 Series rival in terms of size.

But the G37 is a car offering a different experience to its more established rivals. The saloon, like the rest of the Infiniti range, is not a car for the cost-conscious. Infiniti likes to say it’s for people who want something different from the norm. That’s true, but with only a 3.7-litre petrol V6, the G37 is also for people who don’t have to watch the pennies – there is no small capacity or diesel variant.

What you do get, alongside the car’s sleek appearance, is a punchy, willing driving experience. The G37, like its German rivals, is rear-wheel drive. Pay extra for the flagship S and you can have four-wheel steer plus a limited slip differential for improved handling. Whichever model you choose, you won’t be short of performance.

And yes, this car does drive like a mature, thoroughly-sorted sports saloon. The default manual gearbox can be swapped for an auto without any discernible drop in response, while the G37’s ride offers a happy compromise between premium level refinement and the willingness to change direction that’s beloved of keen drivers the world over. That V6 engine sounds good too, adding a welcome ‘edge’ to the experience.

Infiniti might not like the comparison, but there’s also a parallel with Lexus when you consider the overall ownership prospect. Nothing has been left to chance, be it the concierge-style treatment you get from the dealership or the fact that the cars are fantastically well-equipped. Fit and finish inside and out is excellent, with the overriding impression that the G37 – or any Infiniti – has been built to last. The car is full of premium design cues, too. You’ll struggle to find any hint of Nissan – something that should silence the cynics.

The G37, like the rest of the Infiniti range, is not some Lexus clone, however. In this case it offers a more sporting driving experience, while the styling has a noticeably more youthful overtone – a hint at the car maker’s target market.

It’s always a bold move to launch a new brand in a fiercely competitive market, and Infiniti won’t have it easy. But the car – a coupe, convertible and choice of SUVs also exist – is sufficiently different and engaging enough to carve out its own niche.

The range starts at £30,300. Visit infiniti.eu for more details.