Infiniti

Hot news for 2010: G37 hardtop convertible makes its debut. Ÿ Relatively tame same season after last year’s launch of the new G and the FX. Ÿ New M coming, but not until spring.

Carryover: G37; EX35; FX series; M series; QX56

Starting line

n No doubt one of the best and most serious challengers to BMW’s nearly unfaltering status as the benchmark premium automaker, Infiniti is the overachieving luxury division of Nissan. While the German automaker does makes bigger and more powerful models than the FX wagon and the G37 sedan/coupe/hardtop convertible, there are very few makes out there than can top this pair.

The new convertible, with its three-piece folding hardtop, features a standard leather interior, a wind deflector to help keep your hairdo in place an a unique Bose Open Air Sound System with an equalizer that adjusts according to outside noise, vehicle speed and top up or down position. As well, the adaptive climate control’s fan will adjust its settings according to top position and vehicle velocity.

For the FX, also redesigned for the 2009 model year, Infiniti’s stylists did a marvelous job of adding plenty of “wow” factor. The grille was enlarged and there are blingy-yet-functional vents behind the front-wheel openings that help reduce air pressure under the front of the vehicle to reduce lift and thereby increase stability.

The FX50, equipped, with standard all-wheel-drive, comes with a 390-horsepower 5.0-liter V8. Both powerplants are now linked to seven-speed automatic transmissions.

Whichever FX35 model suits your fancy, expect a wealth of basic up-level content, including dual-zone climate control, leather seats (eight-way powered in front), power glass moonroof, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power liftgate, xenon headlights.