While Nissan doesn’t specify acceleration times or fuel economy for the new model, it’s safe to assume the car will deliver the same V-8 performance and V-6 fuel economy that we’ve see from its shorter brother.

Inside, the majority of the additional space goes to rear seat passenger legroom. As you’d expect from a flagship sedan, both luxury and safety features abound. Passengers can enjoy a “Forest Air” climate control system while listening to the 16 speaker Bose audio system, enhanced by Active Noise Control for a quiet cabin.

To keep occupants as safe as possible, available options include Intelligent Cruise Control with collision warning and a Lane Departure Warning and Prevention system.

Also announced was the long-wheelbase M25L, which relies on a normally aspirated 2.5-liter V-6 engine, producing just 232 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque. We’ve driven the smaller G25 sedan with the same engine and found it to be lacking power, so we can’t imagine driving a heavier M sedan with the 2.5-liter V-6.

That’s likely a moot point anyway, since it’s unlikely the long wheelbase versions will find their way to the U.S., and may not even make it to Europe. While Infiniti hasn’t specified markets, it seems to us that both models were created to meet demand from Chinese buyers.

While Nissan doesn’t specify acceleration times or fuel economy for the new model, it’s safe to assume the car will deliver the same V-8 performance and V-6 fuel economy that we’ve see from its shorter brother.

Inside, the majority of the additional space goes to rear seat passenger legroom. As you’d expect from a flagship sedan, both luxury and safety features abound. Passengers can enjoy a “Forest Air” climate control system while listening to the 16 speaker Bose audio system, enhanced by Active Noise Control for a quiet cabin.

To keep occupants as safe as possible, available options include Intelligent Cruise Control with collision warning and a Lane Departure Warning and Prevention system.

Also announced was the long-wheelbase M25L, which relies on a normally aspirated 2.5-liter V-6 engine, producing just 232 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque. We’ve driven the smaller G25 sedan with the same engine and found it to be lacking power, so we can’t imagine driving a heavier M sedan with the 2.5-liter V-6.

That’s likely a moot point anyway, since it’s unlikely the long wheelbase versions will find their way to the U.S., and may not even make it to Europe. While Infiniti hasn’t specified markets, it seems to us that both models were created to meet demand from Chinese buyers.

Although we don’t have even the slightest ounce of confirmation whether it’ll ever be built here, the idea is anything but far-fetched considering the latest rumours and rumblings about the next-generation Infiniti G-series, due in 2014.

A journalist from American publication Motor Trend recently sat down with an anonymous source at Nissan’s luxury division Infiniti and he revealed some interesting facts.

First is that, in accordance with a new technical cooperation between Renault-Nissan and Mercedes-Benz, the new G will share its platform with the next-generation Mercedes C-Class, which will be built in South Africa. Its styling will, however, be completely unique and the Infiniti will be slightly longer.

As with the current Infiniti G, the 2014 model will be available in both sedan and coupe body styles and there’s exciting news in the form of a C63-bashing 3.7-litre twin-turbo V6 with more than 395kW on tap.

This, and the other direct-injection V6 petrol motors, will not share any technology with Mercedes, but the Germans will reportedly be supplying its 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine for use in this new Infiniti.

Motor Trend reports that the new G will go on sale in summer 2014 and will share the platform underpinning the Mercedes-Benz C-Class — part of Infiniti’s growing technology-sharing arrangement with the Daimler brand.

The new G will be a couple of inches longer and use a more muscular design, taking some design cues, particularly in the front end, from the Etherea concept car above that was at the Detroit auto show this year. The sedan model will have a lower roofline than the current model and a four-door-coupe-like silhouette. Both sedan and coupe models will return; the coupe won’t arrive till 2015. And a crossover is being considered.

But the biggest news is in the powertrain department, where choices may greatly expand. Infiniti is exploring whether to bring diesel power to its U.S. lineup, by borrowing the Mercedes-Benz C-Class’ 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that’s available in Europe.

It’s also “a foregone conclusion,” according to Motor Trend’s source, that the next G will offer a hybrid powertrain version of Infiniti’s 3.5-liter V-6 as well as a conventional gasoline powertrain.

Also in the works is a “Super G” powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.7-liter V-6 with direct injection that will be good for 530 horsepower. The G IPL will be part of brand’s new Infiniti Performance Line brand — Infiniti’s AMG-like series of models.

Talking about the latter, Poore said “IPL is, to us, a steppingstone. It’s not an AMG and it wasn’t intended to be. It’s a place where we’re going to start a sub-brand.” He declined to provide additional information, but it wouldn’t be hard to imagine an Infiniti M IPL.

At 159g/km, the latest Infiniti M35h qualifies for the higher rate of Write Down Allowance (WDA), allowing companies to claim 20% of the car’s cost as capital expenditure per year. Cars with CO2 of more than 160g/km can claim only 10% WDA per year.

The lower emissions figure also drops the M35h one tax band for drivers, from 23 to 22% for 2012/13, saving a 40% taxpayer around £180 a year. Already the Infiniti M35h’s tax liability for company drivers is substantially lower than petrol saloons with similar performance.

The latest Infiniti M35h is just what newly-appointed UK Fleet Sales Manager Simon Lewis wanted. He said: “The Infiniti M35h is already popular with companies seeking a luxury saloon with no compromise on performance or fuel consumption. Now with its no-compromise approach to running costs, it offers fleet buyers a car that is both hugely enticing and entirely sensible – a combination we think they will approve of.”

Rather than resort to specification tweaks such as fitting low rolling resistance tyres to lower CO2, Infiniti engineers found the emissions-reducing answer in technology. Key enhancements to electric motor accuracy and battery charging allow the Infiniti M35h to rely more on silent electric power when starting off from cold, bringing benefits that go beyond just cutting running costs.

As well as lowering CO2 the changes bring improvements across the EU fuel consumption spectrum; the combined figure for the 359bhp (364PS) petrol/electric model improves by 0.5mpg to 40.9mpg, while on the highway cycle the Infiniti M35h is now credited with more than 50mpg.

Low fuel consumption in everyday driving was independently confirmed in the 2011 MPG Marathon when the M35h returned an overall 43.4mpg over a varied 370-mile route, with almost half the distance covered on electric power alone. Recording a 6% improvement on the official combined figure, the M35h easily won its class – while the other hybrids taking part failed to match their official figures.

Faster than Porsche and BMW hybrid rivals with 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds, the M35h’s position as performance champion was sealed in 2011 when Guinness World Records officially declared it the fastest accelerating hybrid in the world after independent testing at the UK’s Santa Pod Raceway.

At £46,840 the single model for the UK boasts everything as standard (apart from metallic paint choice) at a margin over an equivalent Infiniti M30d of just £1180 – substantially less than the hybrid premium charged by some rivals.

In the spirit of this tradition, and as a card-carrying Winter Denialist, I did my part in recent months, testing several models with winter-eager, All Wheel Drive. So, as Spring officially arrives, and our joyously snowless winter grows ever smaller in the rear view mirror, I will now do the only logical thing. Absent any scientific evidence to the contrary, I will take full credit for it.

Our test drive car this week is in fact equipped with All Wheel Drive, and so could duke it out with snowy roads if need be. However, it’s also full bore sporty, never happier than on a sunny day and a curvy road. So, think of this as a way to ease our transition into the slush-free months.

The G37 Coupe is offered in base, Journey, G37x, and Sport models, along with two high(er) performance IPL versions. Starting sticker prices range from $37,800-$49,800. The sleek Infiniti has an affinity with the Nissan 370Z sport coupe. The two share a similar shape, a common platform, and many mechanical bits.

The G is a slightly stealthier version of the Z, parked in a neighborhood that’s a skosh more upscale. Lower profile, yes. But every bit as enjoyable. Part of the car’s fun factor can be traced to a willing powertrain. Base, Journey, x and Sport models all wield the same, 3.7 liter V-6. Sport trim G37′s are outfitted with a six-speed manual transmission. The rest of the mainline models get a seven-speed automatic. The DOHC V-6 generates 330 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm and 270 lb. ft. of torque @ 5,200 rpm. This is a lively engine, responsive at any speed, and certifiably quick (0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds). It pulls willingly to its 7,000 rpm redline, the trip accompanied by the engine’s throaty soundtrack. Indeed, some find the exhaust note too much at cruising speed.

But I like a sports car that talks to you, and the G’s growl is fine by me. Paddle shifters are available, for those who want to do some clutchless shifting, and the rev-matching downshifts are a nice touch. But, lacking a dual clutch transmission, the split second lag between paddle push and shift response is enough to sap the entertainment value. Left to its own devices, the seven-speed automatic fares quite well, getting from gear to gear smoothly, and ladling out the V-6 power evenly.

Performance cars are not economy cars, but the G37x checks in with EPA mileage estimates of 18 city, 25 highway, which is respectably in range for its class. I averaged 21 mpg’s overall; +1 over its combined estimate. The predicted highway mileage for the All Wheel Drive G37x is two less than most of the other, rear wheel drive G37 models. The ATESSA E-TS AWD system runs in rear wheel drive mode most of the time, preserving the traditional, performance car driving dynamics.

Monitoring speed, wheel spin and throttle position, the AWD system will shunt up to 50 percent of the available power to the front wheels, to maximize traction. The driver benefits in fair or foul weather. The G37x feels firm, and while hard bumps and choppy pavement will be felt, it never crosses the line to harsh. The car maintains a comfortable ride, even with the available sport suspension.

The G37x is a 2+2 coupe. The back seat is serviceable for smaller kids and short durations, but nothing more, passenger-wise. However, the back seat does make a comfortably padded perch for carry-ons, and the seatback folds forward to supplement the car’s undersized, 7.4 cubic feet cargo bay.

The front cabin is cleanly designed: driver oriented and nicely appointed. Aluminum and real wood trim are available, soft touch points smooth the edges. Everything’s in easy reach, and the available navigation system is notably easy to, uh, navigate. Inboard stowage spots are in short supply. Not so technology, which is available in large doses, mainly bundled, but also in select, stand-alone options.

My test car was outfitted with three such groupings. Highlights of the Premium Package ($2,900) include a power moon roof, rear sonar park assist, and an 11-speaker, Bose sound system. Among the extras included in the Sport Package ($1,900) are 19″ aluminum rims, sport tuned suspension, beefed-up brakes and a limited slip differential. Headlining the Navigation system ($1,850), is — not surprisingly — a hard drive nav system, with travel, weather and Zagat restaurant review information, voice activation and DVD/video playback capability.

The G37 travels with a fast crowd. It competes for the attention of luxury coupe buyers with the likes of BMW’s 3-Series, Mercedes’ C-Class, the Audi A5 and Cadillac’s CTS. The Infiniti stacks up nicely with its peers. Classy, quick, agile and handsome, it’s a really enjoyable driver. And the x factor is the x model. All Wheel Drive in the G37x means you don’t have to park it when the snow flies. If it ever does.

Inspired by the all-new Infiniti JX, Cirque du Soleil’s Special Events team has incorporated Infiniti’s all-new, 7-passenger luxury crossover into an approximately 11 minute performance, complete with 9 Cirque du Soleil performers – all streamed live from Cirque du Soleil’s headquarters in Montreal. And immediately following the performance, stay online for an exclusive, interactive video Q&A where you may have your questions about the performance answered in real-time by Mario D’Amico, Senior Vice President, Cirque du Soleil Corporate Marketing and Wendy Durward, Director, Infiniti Canada.

With a shared commitment to creativity and performance, Infiniti is an Official Sponsor and exclusive Automotive Partner of Cirque du Soleil.

“The purpose of the certification program is to provide the resources to help ensure consistency of the repair of Infiniti vehicles on a national basis,” said Carnie Colliver, senior manager, Parts and Service, Infiniti Americas.  “Each Infiniti owner that comes into these certified facilities presents additional face-to-face opportunities to reinforce the Infiniti Total Ownership Experience.”

The certification program will be conducted in conjunction with DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC), which will assist in the implementation of the program’s certification process, and I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, which will conduct technician training.

“Facilities that have the willingness to participate in this program must have the commitment to achieve higher standards in the collision repair industry.  This program will be a platform to satisfy all aspects of their customers’ automotive service needs,” said Colliver.

Infiniti Certified Collision Repair Facilities will be able to distinguish their facility from non-Certified repairers, by an ever expanding marketing package including but not limited to:

• A shop plaque acknowledging to customers the facility is a member of the Infiniti Collision Repair Network and recognized as meeting the requirements set forth by Infiniti
• Customer marketing materials explaining the benefits of using the certified shop network for repairs and the use of OEM collision parts
• Exclusive website for Infiniti Certified Collision Repair Facilities to obtain program and technical information
• Infiniti owner awareness marketing initiative
• Shop locator for owners to identify Certified shops in their area

“The overriding goal is to provide a better customer experience – with an assurance of safety through the repair process and facility standardization, and the financial preservation of the vehicle to help minimize diminished value after collision repairs,” added Colliver.  “Certified network collision repair facilities will deliver a professional relationship consistent with the Infiniti brand – and enjoy the added prestige of being recognized by Infiniti as meeting our stringent factory standards.”