To celebrate 20 years since it first began selling cars, Nissan’s Infiniti luxury division has announced 20th Anniversary Editions of the brand’s most popular model, the G. These special editions models get an ultra-premium Graphite Shadow paint with Monaco Red leather interior. The Coupe and Convertible come with Red-toned Maple accenting and the two Sedan models have the new Shodo-finish aluminum trim. All models come equipped with the Premium and Navigation packages, which include such items as heated and cooled seats, summer high performance tires, a blacked-out front grille, new side skirts, mode aggressive front and rear fascias and a standard rear spoiler on both the coupe and sedan.

Just 350 20th Anniversary Edition models will be made for the Sedan, while 200 each will be offered for both the Coupe and Convertible trim. Pricing is set at $43,350 for the Sedan and $43,550 for the AWD Sedan, while the Coupe is priced at $50,550 and the Convertible at $54,900. All models will be available at dealerships in mid-April.

GALLERY: Infiniti G37 20th Anniversary Edition

Official release after the jump:

With Infiniti having just joined the European marketplace in recent years, the luxury arm of Nissan is looking to make a big impression by introducing fuel efficient diesel models, as well as the brand’s first ever hybrid.

The M35 Hybrid is based on the new M platform and uses the previous generation’s 3.5-liter V6. This engine is then paired with an electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and Infiniti’s 7-speed automatic transmission to deliver rear-drive performance, with improved fuel economy. While no engine or fuel economy numbers are available, the 3.5-liter V6 likely makes about 300-hp, while the electric motor adds 67-hp and 199 ft-lbs of torque.

As mentioned, no fuel economy numbers are available, but we should see a marked improvement over the new M37’s 18/26 (city/highway) rating.

Infiniti will bring the M35 Hybrid to market by the Spring of 2011.

GALLERY: Infiniti M35 Hybrid

Official release after the jump:

Nissan displayed the Stillen GT-R at its exhibit at the 2010 Canadian International Auto Show.

Built in 2009 by Steve Millen and the rest of the Stillen team, the one-off GT-R competed at the Targa Newfoundland race.

The Stillen GT-R was clocked a 0-60 run in 2.9 seconds, quicker than the stock version’s 3.5 seconds. The Stillen GT-R ran an 11.0 second quarter mile, registering a speed of 127.9 mph, (compared to the stock version’s 11.7 seconds and 120.4 mph) and reached a speed of 130 mph in 11.4 seconds (compared to the stock version’s 14.0 seconds.

Millen and his crew will next enter the GT-R at Targa Canada West, May 24 in British Columbia.

Gallery: Stillen GT-R

Infiniti made a last minute decision to show its products at the Chicago Auto Show and so it took some searching to find the brands new 2011 M model tucked away in a back corner. But it was worth the hunt. Infiniti actually showed the car to us at a private event during the LA Auto Show, but the car’s Chicago Auto Show debut will be its first public appearance.

For 2011 the M will be offered as both an M37 and M56 model, each of which will be offered in either RWD or AWD. Like the G37, the M37 is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 270 ft-lbs of torque. As for the M56, it gets a massive 5.6-liter mill with an impressive 420-hp and 417 ft-lbs of torque. In total, the new top-level M gets 95-hp and 81 ft-lbs of torque over its predecessor, the M45.

Those looking for even more sport can opt for a Sport Package (RWD only), that comes with 20-inch wheels, a sport tuned suspension, larger brake rotors with 4-piston front calipers and two-piston rears, 4-Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) steering, as well as a sport steering wheel, pedals and shift knob. Specific to the Sport Package are special double-piston shocks that deliver a ride that is both comfortable and stable. There’s even a unique front fascia.

Both engines come with Infiniti’s 7-speed sport automatic transmission, allowing the M56 to get even better fuel economy than the old M45.

As for the car’s size, it is larger than the outgoing M, measuring roughly half an inch longer at 194.7 inches, 2-inches wider at 72.6 inches. It is also roughly half an inch lower at 59.1 inches to help keep the car’s center of gravity low.

One of the most exciting features on the new M is Infiniti Drive that allows a driver to choose between four settings of throttle pressure and transmission shift points. There’s also an Active Tracing Control system that adjusts engine power and braking at all four wheels for optimum performance. Safety items include Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention that helps bring the car back towards the center of the lane. There’s also an Eco Pedal feature that, when selected, uses green and yellow lights on the instrument panel to give the driver feedback on his or her driving, while also giving feedback through the gas pedal, pushing back to alert the driver when they are operating the vehicle inefficiently. Infiniti says that in testing this simple method has lead to improved fuel economy of five to 10 percent.

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti M56

Nissan Canada announced it will present the Stillen GT-R at the 2010 Toronto Auto Show.

Race car driver Steve Millen and the Stillen team built their version of the GT-R “Godzilla” in 2009 for the Targa Newfoundland race. The Stillen crew lightened the GT-R by 172 lbs. and tweaked throttle response and suspension.

The result: a 0-60 run of 2.9 seconds and an 11.0-second quarter-mile run at 127.9 mph. Living up to the name “Godzilla”, the Stillen GT-R’s roar registered 101 dBA, compared to the stock GT-R’s 891 dBA.

Nissan and Infiniti will also display their latest models including the new 2011 Infiniti M, the Infiniti Essence Concept and the “Krom” edition Nissan Cube at the 2010 Toronto Auto Show. Check back for AutoGuide.com’s coverage of the Canadian International Auto Show on Feb. 11.

Gallery: Stillen GT-R

Official release after the jump:

While the media was given a sneak peak at the all-new 2011 Infiniti  M37 and M56 models at a private event a few months back, the cars will be on public display for the first time at the Chicago Auto Show. After dropping out of most auto shows last year, skipping LA and then Detroit at the start of 2010, Infiniti and parent company Nissan made an 11th hour decision to attend the Chicago show.

For 2011 the M will be offered as both an M37 and M56, with both models being either RWD or AWD. Like the G37, the M37 is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 270 ft-lbs of torque. As for the M56, it gets a massive 5.6-liter mill with an impressive 420-hp and 417 ft-lbs of torque. In total, the new top-level M gets 95-hp and 81 ft-lbs of torque over its predecessor, the M45.

Those looking for even more sport can opt for a Sport Package (RWD only), that comes with 20-inch wheels, a sport tuned suspension, larger brake rotors with 4-piston front calipers and two-piston rears, 4-Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) steering, as well as a sport steering wheel, pedals and shift knob. Specific to the Sport Package are special double-piston shocks that deliver a ride that is both comfortable and stable. There’s even a unique front fascia.

Both engines come with Infiniti’s 7-speed sport automatic transmission, allowing the M56 to get even better fuel economy than the old M45.

As for the car’s size, it is larger than the outgoing M, measuring roughly half an inch longer at 194.7 inches, 2-inches wider at 72.6 inches. It is also roughly half an inch lower at 59.1 inches to help keep the car’s center of gravity low.

One of the most exciting features on the new M is Infiniti Drive that allows a driver to choose between four settings of throttle pressure and transmission shift points. There’s also an Active Tracing Control system that adjusts engine power and braking at all four wheels for optimum performance. Safety items include Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention that helps bring the car back towards the center of the lane. There’s also an Eco Pedal feature that, when selected, uses green and yellow lights on the instrument panel to give the driver feedback on his or her driving, while also giving feedback through the gas pedal, pushing back to alert the driver when they are operating the vehicle inefficiently. Infiniti says that in testing this simple method has lead to improved fuel economy of five to 10 percent.

AutoGuide’s live 2010 Chicago Auto Show coverage begins Wednesday, February 10th. See it here.

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti M37

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti M56

With companies like Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Lexus all looking down-market, it’s no surprise that Infiniti is exploring its future and its expansion possibilities with a new entry-level model. What is surprising, however, is news that an entry-level Infiniti may in fact be a front-drive model.

According to Larry Dominique, Nissan North America’s VP for product planning, Infiniti is considering a new model, or whole family of vehicles, based on a new front-drive platform. When Nissan first introduced the Infiniti brand to North America it did offer front-drive models like the G20 (based on the Japanese market Nissan Primera) and the I30 (based on the Maxima). Nissan soon abandoned that aproach, however, to focus on more traditional rear-drive models.

Dominique believes that many buyers don’t know or care if their vehicle is front drive, rear-drive or AWD, pointing to the success Acura has had with the TSX and TL. “Those buyers are OK with it,” he said in an interview with Automotive News. “I think we could deliver Infiniti off a different platform and deliver the experience Infiniti customers expect.”

In addition to this new model, Infiniti is also reported to be introducing a more entry-level G25 model, using a 2.5-liter V6 to take on cars like the BMW 328i.

While we can’t say we’re not worried about what could come out of this, considering Infiniti’s success in taking on the BMW 3 Series with its usually more powerful and less expensive G models, we have to admit that were intrigued. Who knows, perhaps an entry-level coupe (like the Acura RSX) could be in the products plans.

[Source: Automotive News]

Nissan has confirmed that after missing out on a long list of auto shows, it is preparing for the New York Auto Show in late March. The company is launching eight new models in the next 12 months and has announced that the new QX56 full-sized luxury SUV (pictured in spy photos above) from the brand’s Infiniti arm will bow at the Big Apple show.

This will also be the first time Infiniti will show the all-new M37 and M56, as well as the facelifted 2010 Infinti G37. There is even a strong possibility that the new G25 model, powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter V6, will arrive in New York.

Nissan is expected to showcase new products as well, likely showing the Juke compact crossover, that will first debut at the Geneva Auto Show in early March.

GALLERY: 2011 Infiniti QX56 Spy Photos

Official release after the jump:

Later this year, Infiniti will launch a turbocharged 2.5-liter version of its G sedan. This new model will directly target entry-level luxury competitors like the BMW 328i, Lexus IS250 and AudiA4 2.0T.

The Infiniti G25 (G25t?) will use the 2.5-liter V6 currently found in the Japanese-market Infiniti G, which is known as the Skyline. In Japan, the non-turbocharged 2.5-liter motor makes 210-hp and 195 ft-lbs o torque, meaning that a turbocharged version should produce closer to 250-hp. This would put it ahead of the competition in terms of power and offer more attractive fuel economy, not to mention a more attainable price.

Currently only a G25 sedan is planned and there is no word on if Infinti will offer the new engine in its coupe and convertible models.

The Infiniti G25 is expected to arrive this Fall.

[Source: InsideLine]

Nissan’s next generation of the iconic GT-R may be a hybrid sports car. According to a report in Japan’s Best Car magazine, the R36 GT-R could use a 440-hp gasoline engine mated to a 160-hp electric motor. This would allow the car to output as much as 600-hp in some modes, while attaining impressive fuel economy in another mode.

To us this sounds a lot like the Infiniti Essence Concept (below), which debuted earlier this year at the Geneva Auto Show and has continued to captivate the automotive world since. It is powered by a 440-hp twin-turbo direct-injection 3.7-liter V6 engine and an electric motor to make roughly 600-hp. And just recently Infiniti execs admitted that there is still a possibility that the Essence could make it to dealerships in the future. Perhaps it was an early look at the next GT-R.

[Source: BestCar via Motor Trend]