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If you don’t recall the original Infiniti G20, don’t worry. Not many people do, except perhaps the folks who owned one.

According to Infiniti, those 1991-96 G20 owners were among the most loyal that parent company Nissan had. But it still didn’t stop Infiniti from taking the G20 off the U.S. market because sales were so poor.

But now Infiniti is reintroducing the G20 for the 1999 model year.

What changed?

Infiniti says the entry-level luxury market “has had significant growth” since the final days of the G20. Never mind asking why Infiniti didn’t foresee this trend two years ago.

The company also says it’s seeking younger buyers.

“We don’t see a lot of these kinds of (G20) people, the 30- to 39-year-olds,” admitted Tom Orbe, vice president and general manager of the Infiniti Division. “The people we’re seeing today are 40 on up.”

And perhaps most important, the automaker has a new car, designed for European tastes, that it can easily sell as the G20 for this market.

Called the Primera in Europe and Japan, it’s a front-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan that’s a bit longer and taller than the previous G20.

The suspension is improved, the body is more rigid and the brakes are better than in the old G20.

In fact, the new car is one of the few vehicles where the pulsing and vibrating of the brake pedal during panic stops is muted in the anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Infiniti said it checked with insurance companies and others and discovered the pulsing was prompting drivers to moderate their pressure on the brake pedal instead of keeping it steady and getting the safety benefits of ABS.

Probably most notable to car buyers, though, is that the new G20 will be priced between $22,000 and $25,000, which is less than the previous G20, company officials said. Final pricing will be announced in July when the new car is officially introduced.

The G20 definitely is improved, taking sweeping curves with ease and smoothly working through a slalom course. It’s predictable and responsive during quick maneuvers.

In fact, the G20’s good manners made me wish it had more power.

This entry-level luxury car comes with only a 140-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder. It’s competent in city traffic and on the highway but can seem a bit buzzy when accelerating to 60 mph from a standstill.

I also wondered why a car that’s destined for a luxury showroom doesn’t have any wood inside. Even fake wood, which is getting better looking these days, can add warmth and a touch of class.

But the G20’s interior is free of these embellishments, with no shiny silver or brushed chrome anywhere. Orbe said customers don’t seem to mind. But what else conveys this is a luxury car to aspiring, up-and-comer-type buyers?

G20 buyers do get front and side air bags for the front seats, as provided in most other luxury cars. The warranties also are among the best in the business.

And Infiniti’s dealership experience continue s to be top-rate. So even if buyers can’t impress their friends with a more luxurious interior, they can enjoy being treated well at their dealership.

NUTS AND BOLTS

What we drove: 1999 Infiniti G20t, a mid-size sedan with 2-liter, double overhead cam, 16-valve four cylinder and five-speed manual transmission

Base price: Between $22,000 and $25,000 (estimated)

Price as tested (includes options and delivery charge): $25,500 (estimated)

Curb weight: 3,000 pounds (estimated)

Length: 177.5 inches

Turning circle (curb to curb): 37.4 feet

Standard features: Two front and side air bags, AM/FM stereo with cassette player and compact disc player, cruise control, rear defroster, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, tilt steering column, anti-lock brakes.

Options on test vehicle: Power sunroof.

EPA fuel economy: 23 mpg (city) 31 mpg (highwa

Fuel: Unleaded regular.