Forbidden Fruit: Infiniti FX

Nissan's Australian range comprises of boring hatches (Micra, Tiida, Dualis), saloons (Maxima), SUVs (Pathfinder, Murano, Patrol) and then their incredible sports cars (370Z, GT-R). Overseas, the Maxima is a whole different car, there are wholly better cars (Juke, Cube, Altima, Quest) and a wholly better brand, Infiniti. Infiniti is Nissan's Lexus and Nissan's Acura; it's a brand that takes the everyday platforms of Nissan and transforms them into massively more desirable products. This is seen in no other car more than the FX, Infiniti's luxury SUV (a BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Mercedes ML rival). It's the most aggressively-styled car under $100,000 and it looks fantastic. Choosing the FX50S means it goes just as well as it looks with a 291kW/500Nm 5.0 litre V8 that launches the FX50S to 100km/h in 5.0 seconds. The FX range has just been updated with a slightly revised front that is even more aggressive and added standard features. Launching this striking car, let alone brand, in Australia would hurl Nissan's reputation into greatness instantly. Infiniti is being launched here in a year but that's too far away. Nissan, get it here now!

Mazda CX-5

After previewing it through the Minagi concept car, Mazda has released its first pictures of their new compact SUV, the CX-5. At this stage we're not sure if the CX-5 replaces the ageing CX-7 but it's certainly related to it and provides a look at the new Mazda corporate 'face' for their products to come. The CX-5 effectively launches Mazda's new SkyActiv range of revolutionary petrol and diesel engines, including a 150hp/110kW 2.0 litre petrol and 185hp/136kW 2.0 litre turbo diesel that offer extraordinarily low CO2 emissions. A range of manual and automatic transmissions, all 6-speeds, will also be launched with the car, as will class-leading dynamics. The interior is just as inviting as the stunning exterior and appears (from these shots) to be very high quality, in typical Mazda fashion. The only problem is that the planned launch date is next year... Hurry it up Mazda and get rid of the CX-7 already!