We keep hearing about a baby Infiniti coupe that will compete with the likes of BMW 1-Series and Audi’s A3 - but don’t expect it to hit the market anytime soon. Shiro Nakamura, global design director for Nissan Motor Co., says that there is quite a demand for an car smaller than the G37 outside the U.S., but Nissan executives are still studying the segment. He said that an entry-level Infiniti could still be at least three years away.

Nakamura said that if Infiniti does go ahead with a small car - it will keep the essence of Infiniti and that it is ‘quite important to maintain rear-wheel-drive for the Infiniti line.’

The Infiniti baby-coupe has been rumored to make an appearance at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show as a concept to get the public’s reaction. Sources have said that power for the production model could come from a 2.5L V6 engine.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)