Infiniti G37 Review

By: Ged Bulmer

Date: 27.05.2013

Infiniti G37

Infiniti G37

Infiniti G37

Infiniti G37

Infiniti G37

Infiniti G37

Infiniti G37

Infiniti G37

Driven: A pair of sleek new two-plus-twos expand Infiniti’s Aussie line-up

Driven: Infiniti G37

Infiniti G37

If you’ve tracked down one of the two Infiniti outlets in Australia, you might also have taken in the svelte outlines of two handsome new additions to the Japanese luxury marque’s stable.

The BMW 3-Series-sized G37 Coupe and Convertible are Infiniti models number three and four, selling alongside the FX SUV and M sedan. In the US, where Inifiniti has a sizeable market presence, the G37 twins are well-established and respected rivals to the Audi, Mercedes and BMW triumvirate.

This is a potential problem for Infiniti’s marketing department as the G37’s lineage dates back to 2006, meaning Aussie consumers are being asked to buy into a ‘new’ model range that’s already well over half way through its life cycle.

With this in mind, Infiniti has priced and equipped the Coupe and Convertible ultracompetitively: the G37 Coupe GT Premium kicks off at $75,900, rising to $83,500 for the G37 Coupe S Premium, and $87,900 for the single Convertible model, the G37 Convertible S Premium.

Coupe or Convertible, the G37 range is powered by the excellent 235kW/360Nm 3.7-litre V6, also found in the FX and M models, and the 370Z. The engine is set well back in Nissan’s "advanced FM (Front Mid-Ship) platform". It’s the same engine and rear-drive platform under the 370Z, but with Infiniti’s extra refinement, plus subtle changes to dimensions, suspension geometry and steering ratios, you’d be hard pressed to pick the connection.

Torque is sent rearwards via a smart seven-speed, electronically-controlled auto with a sports-oriented manual mode, complete with titanium paddle shifters, adaptive shift control and downshift rev matching. Acceleration is impressively crisp – the Coupe covering 0-100km/h in 5.9sec and the heavier Convertible in 6.4.

The drop-top has a subtly different design to the coupe from the A-pillars back, including structural reinforcements, a 30mm wider body, widened rear track and modified rear suspension. It’s all designed to ensure the ‘clamshell’ folding hardtop retains the car’s athletic lines when stowed away. It succeeds.

Unfortunately, with the top down the already-limited boot space all but evaporates, as did the convertible’s handling on the snotty backroads chosen for the launch. Scuttle shake, steering kickback and rack rattle definitely aren’t best-in-class. Subsequent time in the top-spec G37 S Premium Coupe doused the disappointment we felt about the convertible’s dynamics.

This model alone gets standard 4-Wheel Active Steer system and a viscous LSD, endowing it with impressive handling. The Coupe delivers razor-sharp direction changes while remaining glued to its line.

With keen pricing, high levels of standard equipment, a cracking V6 and silky seven-speed auto, Infiniti’s G37 range definitely warrants consideration.

SPECIFICATIONS

Infiniti G37 S Coupe

Engine: 3696cc V6, DOHC, 24v

Power: 235kW @ 7000rpm

Torque: 360Nm @ 5200rpm

Weight: 1692kg

Gearbox: 7-speed automatic

0-100km/h: 5.9sec (claimed)

Top speed: 250km/h (limited)

Price: $83,500

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