**Only the spoken word is valid**
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.
16 new markets launched in 18 months. And 35 Infiniti Centres now open across Europe. That’s quite an achievement for any brand. For a luxury automotive brand to do this, and during an economic downturn, is you will agree a unique achievement.
But Infiniti is unique. Just like our story.
You might think that after such a busy period, we might take some time off. Have a rest. In fact we are doing quite the opposite because after our launch comes growth. And that starts with the cars you see around me.
Thank you to everyone who pointed out that Infiniti needed a diesel in order to compete in Europe. I agree. But first we had to establish ourselves for what we are. A performance brand. And launching with two charismatic and potent petrol engines was the natural way to do this, as feedback from the enthusiast media and our customers has confirmed.
That job done we will now add to our engine portfolio. And not just with a diesel as you will soon see.
Performance, as I have said, is at the heart of the Infiniti brand. The first diesel engine in our 20 year history is true to this philosophy. Developed specially for Infiniti’s European line-up, it is a compact, lightweight and sublimely refined V6 unit.
Its power output is 238PS. But that is only half the story. Many of you will know that with a diesel, it is torque that delivers true driving pleasure. And we have 550 Newton Metres of it. That is even more than that of the petrol V8 in the FX.
The engine will initially be available in our EX and FX crossovers, deliveries of which will start this summer. Shortly afterwards, it will also become available in another all new Infiniti. A car that is as significant as it is beautiful. That car is the new Infiniti M performance sedan and with its introduction, we enter the heartland of the European premium car market … the E-segment. So our new M had better be good. It is.
The new M Line, seen here in Europe for the first time, was designed from the start for the V6 diesel engine. It will also be offered with V6 petrol which is the engine fitted to the M37S on the stand with me today.
Both versions will offer vivid performance, highly resolved rear-drive handling, zero lift aerodynamics, double piston dampers, four-wheel active steering, active noise control and the world-first introduction of Blind Spot Intervention – another in a growing list of innovative technologies introduced by Infiniti.
There’s even a smart accelerator pedal that saves fuel and a climate control system that brings the soothing freshness of the forest inside the car. Just perfect for driving through the urban jungle.
M is also for magnificent looks. And a truly magnificent cabin – the best we’ve ever made.
Come September, the M will square up to some of the most highly respected sedans on the road. And it will do so as a true Infiniti, a distinctive individual and a real alternative to tradition.
This Infiniti M is the third generation of the car but the first to be offered across all of Infiniti’s 35 global markets. Our confidence in its abilities is one of the reasons why I’m predicting that 2010 will be a year of growth for Infiniti, and not just in Europe - across all of our markets.
So far, I am proud to say that we have sold around 2500 cars in Europe, and that’s without a diesel. What the figures don’t reveal is the quality of this business. Over half our volume is FX, and almost every Infiniti sold has been of the highest possible specification. It’s one of the reasons why we have responded with new range-topping Premium grades for the enhanced 2010 G Line. Plus we are about to extend our reach even higher with the FX Limited Edition. It is the most luxurious Infiniti yet produced. And also one of the most exclusive as just 100 will be offered and only to European customers.
While the new V6 diesel engine is also only for Europe, our other new power technology will be offered globally.
A year ago we teased you with Essence, a petrol/electric hybrid concept car that we said pointed towards our future. Its styling can already be seen in the new M Line. But what of its Hybrid technology…
Imagine a highly responsive sports sedan with a soulful howl and natural balance – a V6 petrol Infiniti in other words. Now imagine the same car with the ability to drive at up to 100km/h on electric power alone, with zero tailpipe emissions.
This car, when it goes on sale early next year, will build on Infiniti’s strong driver appeal and mark the start of a new era of power efficiency with better mileage and lower CO2 emissions, technology we are calling Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid. And what is more, this car will be wrapped up within the beautiful, Essence inspired body of the all-new M Line.
Ladies and gentlemen I give you Infiniti’s first hybrid and the one petrol/electric car you’ll actually want to drive: the INFINITI M35 HYBRID.
(ends)