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Infiniti G37

Premium Japanese firm look to take the fight to BMW, Audi and Mercedes with its classy new coupe.

Infiniti G37

Text: Tom Phillips / Photos: Matt Vosper

May 2008

  • Rating:

Is there no end to Infiniti’s reach? The Japanese brand has successfully battled with the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes in America, taking chunks of the German manufacturers’ sales. But hav­ing stormed the US, Nissan’s premium arm is readying its assault on this side of the Atlantic.

Tackling such a high standard of competition is no easy task, but if the stylish and well equipped G37 Sport is anything to go by, Europe’s finest will have to watch out. The coupé shares under­pinnings with the fine-handling Nissan 350Z, but the bodywork is distinctly Infiniti, with L-shaped lights front and rear, a rakish roofline and a bonnet that flows from wing to wing over the bulge of the 3.7-litre V6.

Our car was an American-market model, equipped with the five-speed auto. For Europe, the engine will be remapped to meet Euro V emissions regulations, and mated to a choice of new seven-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions.

Inside, the driving position is good, with plenty of adjustability and dials that move with the steering column to give a great view of the instruments.

There are some attractive details, which back up the brand’s premium aspirations: an analogue clock is a classy touch, and the dials glow in Infiniti’s signature purple. As with the mechanicals, the interior will be over­hauled for European buyers, so cars that go on sale here will get new switchgear, along with more sound insulation and thicker carpets.

The front seats will be sportier and closer-fitting, although not much can be done for rear passengers – their headroom is compromised by a steeply sloping roofline.

On the road, the creamy V6 powerplant provides plenty of torque – that bodes well for the forthcoming Nissan 370Z, which will share this engine – although it’s hamstrung by the US-spec gearbox. Our model was also let down by steering which was overly light, damping that couldn’t cope with poorly surfaced roads and brakes which lacked feel.

However, according to Infiniti these issues are all high priorities on the list of revisions which should ensure that the coupé is not only a great car to drive, but also a refined long-distance cruiser.

All models will come generously specified as standard. If the package of enhancements to convert them from the American to the European markets is well executed – and the price is right – then the established premium marques will have real cause for concern. The newcomer offers a genuinely stylish, striking alternative to the more obvious choices in this class. Carlos Ghosn, the chief executive of Renault-Nissan, has announced that a folding hard-top might go on sale in Europe at a later date, too – so Infiniti’s success looks set to continue.

RIVAL: BMW 3-series Coupé
Attracting buyers away from the BMW is key for Infiniti. And the 3 Coupé is a strong contender: it’s superb to drive, attractive and very well built. This is the car to beat, although the G37 shows enough promise to confirm the BMW might not have things all its own way.

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5 Comments

You are correct when you say that "for Europe the ECU will be re-mapped to meet EURO V emissions regulations", but the six speed manual transmission is not special to Europe nor is the seven speed automatic transmission. The six speed manual transmission has been, and remains, the only manual transmission available on G37 models in the US, the seven speed automatic transmission replaced the five speed in the 2009 model year.

The new 'switchgear' is also not special to Europe, it is standard on all 2009 and onwards G37's. The sound insulation and carpets are identical in both the US and European models.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say the seats will be "sportier and closer-fitting" but the seats in the G37S model that you tested have side-bolster adjustments on both the thigh and hip positions which enables the seats to hug all but the most anexoric of drivers.

Regarding the tone of your review, I note a common thread of Euro-elitism is to be found in many of the 'European' reviews of the G37, but the facts remain: the specs for the G37 are the same in all markets in which the vehicle is sold with the exception of regional emission regulations and specifications such as the engine de-tuning required by the EURO V spec. It stands to reason that if they make it better for Europe you can rest assured they will make it better for the other markets. They don't use better quality switches just to satisfy the higher tastes of Euro-elitists. The G37S that you reviewed is a 2008 model which is not sold in Europe, the 2009 model sold in the US has the same switches as the European model.

One notable item is that the approximate cost of the base (G37 Coupe) vehicle in the UK is ,518 more than the US version. I calculated this difference using an exchange rate of 1.56782, UK price: 31,950 GBP and ,050 + 7% US NJ sales tax.

By joman on 15 February, 2010, 2:09pm

Correction to earlier comment

My last comment seems to have been limited in size and automatically contracted to fit which deleted the numbers. The last paragraph should read:

"One notable item is that the approximate cost of the base (G37 Coupe) vehicle in the UK is ,518 more than the US version. I calculated this difference using an exchange rate of 1.56782, UK price: 31,950 GBP and ,050 + 7% US NJ sales tax."

By joman on 15 February, 2010, 5:27pm

Further correction...

The cost of the vehicle in the UK is 11,518 Dollars more than the US version. I Used an exchange rate of 1.56782 and a UK price of 31,950 GPB, and a US price of 36,050 (Dollars) plus 7% NJ sales tax. VAT is included in the UK price. All prices are for the base models.

By joman on 15 February, 2010, 5:31pm

Boring

I notice Infiniti have started advertising with banner ads in the UK. Until tonight I'd never heard of the brand. The interiors look okay, but the exteriors are incredibly boring. Like a Lexus from 1995 or something. Somehow I doubt BMW, Mercedes... or even Saab are worrying too much about these.

By Redheadedstepchild on 9 December, 2010, 9:32pm

and

This is obviously a car for the American market. We're a bit more discerning in the UK. We like German cars ;-)

By Redheadedstepchild on 9 December, 2010, 9:34pm

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Infiniti G37
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FIRST OPINION

    The Infiniti coupé blends the 350Z’s chassis and the potent V6 from the Nissan’s replacement in a stylish package. While it has still to be fine-tuned for our roads, the G37 is well equipped, solidly built and should be priced competitively. In fact, the main stumbling block could be the unfamiliar badge.

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £31,000 (est)
    Engine: 3.7-litre V6
    Power: 330bhp
    Transmission: Seven-speed automatic or six-speed manual
    0-60mph: 5.5 seconds (est)
    Top speed: 155mph (limited)
    Standard equipment: 18-inch alloys, leather, Infiniti Controller multimedia interface for sat-nav, climate and audio systems
    On sale: April 2009
     
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