Infiniti set to unveil performance sub-brand at Pebble Beach

Expected to hit dealerships across the US from December, Infiniti, Japanese car manufacturer Nissan's luxury arm, says it will introduce the first of its new IPL (or Infiniti Performance Line) vehicles tomorrow during the 60th annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Infiniti says the range of faster, more powerful vehicles will pit it squarely against such rivals as BMW's M Division and Mercedes-Benz's AMG, placing it in good stead to strengthen the brand's identity in the US market.

The first vehicle in the IPL range will be based on the exisiting Infiniti G-Coupe, and uses the familiar recipe of big engine, big brakes and modified suspension to deliver 260kW via a seven-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The incremental boost in power represents a 13.5kW rise in output of Infiniti G-Coupe's existing 3.7-litre V6.

Revised styling, including the obligatory spoilers, side skirts and larger alloy wheels will set the brand apart from its daily-driver Infiniti counterparts.

Nissan has previously told the Carsales Network that the Infiniti brand could arrive in Australia within the next two to three years, and although the extension of that product to include IPL cars is still far too early to call, the future certainly looks promising for fans of Japanese luxury and performance models tired of the grey-import circus.

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