The Infiniti G37 performance portfolio contains just one engine – the same 3.7-litre V6 engine that’s found in the Nissan 370Z sports coupe. It produces 315bhp and rear-wheel drive versions cover the 0-62mph sprint in 5.9 seconds, while the four-wheel drive model needs 6.0 seconds. The torque figure for the Infiniti – which gives an indication of how the car responds when shifting down a gear or two to overtake – is 265lb-ft at 5200rpm. A BMW 335i achieves 295lb-ft at 1200rpm. Even so, the Infiniti is no slouch and all models come with a seven-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

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For its marginally better economy, the rear-wheel drive model gets our vote, though you have to bear in mind the Infiniti G37 will incur high running costs.

Infiniti has engineered the G range to focus on driver enjoyment, and there are various configurations that can be chosen. The standard G saloon is rear-wheel drive, but customers can choose a four-wheel drive version – the G37x – that can split power between the front and rear axles up to 50:50, but in normal conditions retains a rear bias. With 320bhp it can feel rather lively at the rear in standard rear-drive set-up, even though the electronic stability control keeps a lid on unruly behaviour.

The four-wheel drive of the G37x offers better traction and security in poor conditions. There is a more driver-focused G37S which has rear wheel drive, but also has sports suspension and four-wheel steering. As well as sharpening the responses, it also makes it more agile when turning. At lower speeds the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, while at higher speeds the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels.