Nissan's new 'Skyline'

While we take a break from the all the goodness gathered at the Sydney Motor Show - and there's enough to last us decades - we just had to profile what is, for us at least, one of the best looking cars to ever emerge from the Nihon.

Call it a selfish pursuit if you like, but the car is just launching in the States and, though no green light has been given for the car's release in Australia, the new R35 Nissan Skyline (aka Infinity G35) has to be seen to be believed.

And to think, just a few years ago Nissan was about to crash and burn, yet now it is arguably Japan's most inspired automaker.

The 350Z is one of the first Nissan vehicles to make use of the marque's new design DNA, with the G35 next in line.

But rather than take a look at the family-oriented four-door Infinity G35, we thought the sportier Coupe version deserved all the attention.

Borrowing many parts from the 350Z, such as engine, suspension and brakes, the Coupe is a very different vehicle compared to the 4-door G35 sedan.

But firstly, let's look at the shape: Borrowing styling cues from the 350Z, such as the steeply raked rear window and sloping tail end, the G35 Coupe is very much a looker.

Without having seen one before, it's easy to mistake the Nissan's sleek lines for an exotic 12-cylinder European GT; even a C-class Mercedes or late-model Maserati from some angles.

The front headlight cluster is modernistic - almost futuristic - leaving the horizontally positioned lenses on the factory floor, and opting for vertical sets.

From the rear, again, there's a little 350Z in the tail pipes and lower apron, but sadly the tail-lights have gone all, well, American...

Tail lights aside, the classy look offers another boon in the form of improved aerodynamics. As with the 350Z, Nissan took its time optimising the under-body airflow and, as a result, the two-door G35 has a drag co-efficient of just 0.29, which is reduced to 0.28 if you opt for the aero pack.

Overall, the car is a stunner and if early reports from across the pond are to be believed, it has the performance to back up its sleek styling.

In the US, Infinity is Nissan's 'Premium' brand, like Acura is to Honda, Lexus to Toyota and so forth. The four-door G35 sedan (a standard 2003 Skyline, if you will) is already shaking up the medium car market and the Sports Coupe promises even more.

Compared to its four-door cousin, the Coupe gets many improvements - particularly in the drive-train area. For starters, the same 3.5-litre VQ-class engine from the 350Z is present.

The Sports Coupe makes some 15kW more than the sedan, thanks largely to a revised exhaust system (that cuts back pressure in half), upgraded intake ports and reprogrammed variable valve timing.

The end result is some 209kW @ at undisclosed rpm - the reason behind this is simply that the car is only just about to be launched in the US. That said, the 3.5-litre DOHC V6 has a 6600rpm redline, so it would be safe to say that peak power would arrive at roughly 6000rpm, or perhaps a bit lower.

Peak torque hits @ just under 5000rpm and is 371Nm, all of which is transferred to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic. Complete with aluminum-alloy block and heads, plus low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons, this engine, and the new range of Nissan VQ engines, are arguably the new benchmark V6s.

Surprisingly, choosing the 6-speed manual variant gets you more goodies than the auto - such as bigger 18-inch wheels (auto gets 17-inchers), bigger brembo performance brakes, and of course all the usual electro-gadgetry, such as:

• Emergency Brake Assist

• Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)

• Traction Control System (TCS)

• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)

• Anti-lock Braking System (4-wheel, 4-channel ABS)

• Limited Slip Differential

But before people ask why Nissan is selling two very similar cars - the G35 Sports Coupe and 350Z - the latter has a huge lead over the former in the all-important power-to-weight ratio. Both cars also make use of completely different sheet metal, despite having an uncanny resemblance.

With xenon projector lamps up front and LED bulbs at the rear, twin-chrome exhaust outlets - plus a number of interior appointments, such as Sat Nav, dual stage airbags, electrically adjustable drivers seat and climate control - the likes of BMW, Acura (Honda) and Saab will no doubt be keeping a very close eye on the Nissan Sports Coupe.

By Nissan's own admission, the Sports Coupe is indeed a contender in the luxury car market - and why not?

"The G35 Coupe is a car that moves Infiniti forward into new territory.

"It has the same combination of high performance, rear-wheel drive and luxury amenities of our flagship Q45 and G35 sedans and adds that extra measure of emotion and excitement that comes with sports car styling and packaging," stated Mark McNabb, general manager for Infiniti in the US.

Should the BMW 3-series be quaking, what about the Mercedes CLK320? From where we stand, the outlook is good, but whether or not the American car-buying public responds is another question altogether.

Primarily for older drivers who would think the 350Z is too showy - the G35 Coupe is not so much for a niche market of upper-class speed-freaks, but more likely educated types who want to be rewarded as they drive.

Once upon a time the 2+2 seater sports coupe was only for society's elite - but now the power, the prestige and even the precision is on offer, at least in America, at a very affordable price. Entry-level prices start at roughly $US30,000, which is about 53,000 local bones.

The addition of two fairly well apportioned seats in the rear will likely be a clincher for many buyers too, as the 350Z has but two seats. And the chances of this beautiful and awe-inspiring car coming to Australia? With the 200SX at the end of its production run, the two-door G35 would slot in perfectly to pick up the slack, but this is a long way off.

While Nissan head honcho Carlos Ghosn has mentioned he wanted the new Skyline (G35) range to be available the world over, it is yet to happen. We'll pray and wait...