Infiniti's 'G force' arrives in the UK this September bringing with it a breath of fresh air, a distinct sporting slant and a choice between spacious sports Saloon, svelte two-door Coupe and seductive four-seat Convertible. This line of V6-powered performance cars, from the newest luxury automotive brand to Europe, combines restrained elegance with assured exclusivity.
The 320 hp G37 range provides exactly the comprehensive specification and lavish feel that buyers of cars in this class demand but often do not get, along with the bonus of Infiniti's trademark rich driving experience.
The wide track, long wheelbase and short overhangs provide the well-planted stance. Aluminium suspension parts keep weight in check. The award-winning V6 in 3.7-litre form boasts potency and efficiency in equal measure - and is available with an adaptive seven-speed automatic transmission.
On the road, every G37 variant blends superb refinement and ease of use with spirited performance that sees 0-100 km/h acceleration in as little as 5.8 seconds and top speeds electronically reined back to 155mph. On some versions, 4-Wheel Active Steer is available - Infiniti believes the system is unique on a rear-wheel drive car. For those who demand the ultimate in traction, some models are available with an intelligent all-wheel drive system.
Although Infiniti comes from Japan, significant engineering time has been put into tuning the G37 range for European tastes. Even the exhaust note is special making a sound to stir anyone with petrol in their blood. Japanese influence remains in the cars' design with, for example, the slats of the front grille inspired by Japanese swords and the spear-shaped aluminium trim inside finished to resemble Washi paper.
Infiniti has gone the extra mile in ensuring life with a G37 more than fulfils demanding owners' expectations. For example, the unique Scratch Shield paintwork magics away light scratches, ensuring the high gloss finish remains high gloss for years to come. On the Convertible, the latest in on-board information and entertainment systems are seamlessly brought together in one user-friendly package called Connectiviti; the top grade Convertible adds a world-first tie-up with Michelin Guides ensuring owners will never be short of a place to eat or stay overnight.
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Whether 'entry' model, luxury GT, all-wheel drive x, or sporting S with 4-wheel active steer, all the G37 Saloons are powered by the 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine, compliant with forthcoming Euro 5 emissions standards, mated to a six-speed manual transmission (with optional seven-speed automatic transmission with magnesium gearshift paddles). High performance is guaranteed with 0-100 km/h taking just 5.8 seconds and a top speed limited to 250 km/h. Fuel economy on the combined cycle is 11.4 km/l with CO2 emissions of 248g/km. The seven-speed automatic betters this with 11.4 km/l and 246g/km, while the auto's acceleration to 100 km/h is only marginally slower at 5.9 seconds - still fast enough to beat many sports cars.
The all-wheel drive models are badged with an 'x' and use the sophisticated all-electronic torque split system from the EX and FX crossovers. Power distribution is constantly adjusted from 50:50 to 100 per cent to the rear - so that maximum traction is always available on slippery surfaces, but crucially without compromising the G37's rear-drive handling feel. The seven-speed automatic transmission is standard. The G37x accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 240 km/h. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 10.9 km/l while CO2 emissions are rated at 255 g/km.
The S is the sportiest G37 Saloon and proves it not just with sports seats and aluminium pedals but with engineering changes designed to bring out the maximum potential of the super-stiff G37 chassis and its sophisticated suspension. Chief change is the addition of 4-Wheel Active Steer. This varies the front steering ratio and adjusts the geometry of the rear suspension according to steering input and vehicle speed. With the limited slip diff, four-piston front brakes and recalibrated suspension, handling is taken to a new and higher level.
As well as its sophisticated styling and dynamic driving characteristics, the Saloon offers class-leading room for four/five adults. Equipment is impressive. Infiniti particularly prides itself on the G37's safety credentials which include standard cornering bi-Xenon headlights and a bonnet that pops up in an impact with a pedestrian, providing a potentially life-saving 'cushion'.
As befits a car with such sporting characteristics, the G37 and G37S Saloons come with a slick six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The optional automatic transmission is Infiniti's Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) 'box. Its seven speeds allow the intermediate gears to be optimally spaced for performance while retaining a long-legged seventh that improves fuel economy on the motorway. In manual mode, the solid magnesium gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel offer the driver full control for an even more rewarding drive.
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The Coupe shares its mechanical base with the G37 Saloon but is far from being just a two-door version of it. Infiniti's trademark long bonnet mated to the dramatically raked roofline endow the Coupe with a character all its own. It's a dynamic elegance that belies the spacious four-seat accommodation within.
Powered by the same 3.7-litre V6 engine, the high performance credentials of all versions are guaranteed. The Coupe's exhaust has even been specially tuned for a more sporting sound while brake pedal feel, too, has been altered to suit more demanding drivers. All the Coupes are exceptionally well equipped as standard with the GT adding even more luxury features and the S, complete with chassis changes including 4-Wheel Active Steer, offering the most focused driver involvement.
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The seductive Convertible combines cat-walk looks with Infiniti dynamism and attention to detail to make one of the most beautiful, as well as fastest, four-seat drop-tops.
Its beauty is more than just skin deep and, unusually for a car with a retractable hard-top, is evident in a thunderstorm or at the beach: the G37 Convertible is as aesthetically pleasing with the hardtop up as it is 25 seconds later with the three-piece electrically-operated top unobtrusively stored away. The operation can be performed from inside the car. Or for the less bashful, by pressing a button on the door-handle.
Attention to detail extends to adaptive climate control that knows when the roof is down - and compensates for the fact. On the GT Premium model, even the seats are air-conditioned. The GT Premium version also features a BOSE sound system that takes into account the position of the roof, automatically filtering out background noise in convertible mode.
In Connectiviti+ form (standard on GT Premium) the highlight is a 30 GB HDD navigation system that offers everything owners expect - 8-inch colour touch screen, 3D graphics - and some things they won't, such as access to 22,000 addresses of the finest hotels and restaurants in a world-first tie-up with Michelin Guides.
The Convertible shares the V6 mechanical package of the Saloon and Coupe and that means it also shares in exceptional performance - 249.4km/h, 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds (manual version) - and handling designed to satisfy the most demanding drivers.
