First look: Infiniti coupe concept previews next Zed

AS NISSAN Australia continues to contemplate introducing the Infiniti luxury brand Down Under, the Japanese manufacturer has unveiled a striking coupe concept vehicle at this week's Detroit motor show.

A forerunner to the next-generation G35 and its Nissan sibling, the 350Z, both of which have reached middle age in their current life cycles, the coupe concept indicates that perhaps more than anything else, the Japanese manufacturer is not intending to tamper too much with the fundamental design it already has in place.

Notable aspects on the concept include a full-length glass panel roof, modulated front fenders and bonnet, a deep front spoiler and large projector headlights, polished bare metal-look paint, obscured doorhandles and 20-inch aluminium-alloy wheels.

Inside, there is a "double wave" instrument panel design. Specially, textured aluminium accents project the image of traditional Japanese "Washi" paper, providing "an added sense of warmth and crispness", according to Nissan.