Infiniti G37 Coupe for Europe

3.7L BMW baiter
by Grant Edwardson
February 26, 2008 2:42 PM
Filed Under: Geneva Motor Show, Infiniti, Japanese

Make no mistake Infiniti is deadly serious about the European market and it is digging its heels in for the long run. Infiniti has long been a by-word for athleticism, luxury and durability in the US and differentiates itself from its Japanese compatriot Lexus, by offering a good dose more sportiness and youthfulness. Expect the European Infinitis to trade heavily on those qualities as Infiniti firmly believe BMW is their closest rival. Consumer tests in the US confirm that many Infiniti products are the equal if not superior product when compared to the Germans.

The G37 coupe was release in the US last year and builds from its G35 coupe predecessor’s sublime styling, taught handling and prodigious power and acceleration. For Europe, like in its sedan counterpart, the 3.7L VQ37VHR V6 is down in numbers from the US spec version in producing only 310ps (ps reads slightly more than a hp). There may be a number of reasons for the detune including emissions improvements, NVH tuning or driveability. Big news for the European spec G coupe is the introduction of a new 7 speed automatic transmission replacing the admittedly very good 5 speed unit. The 7 speeder will continue to use Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) allowing a downshift throttle blips. Much work has been completed on the US spec car to adapt it for European tastes. The cars chassis will have been refined to improve high speed handling due to the higher speeds experienced on some of Europe’s roads.

All versions of G37 Coupe come with Electronic Stability Program (ESP), while a Viscous Limited Slip Differential (VLSD) is included as part of the Sport package.

The interior utilises a traditional “Washi” theme to enhance Infiniti’s Japanese origins. Some of the switchgear and materials used in the interior will have been upgraded to cope with the more discerning European customer. Expect a long list of standard equipment and superb dealer service to complete this true luxury brand alternative.

Source: Infiniti
Press Release (Click to expand)

INFINITI G37 COUPÉ: WHERE SEDUCTIVE LOOKS MEET ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Designed from the outset as a sporting thoroughbred, the Infiniti G37 Coupé offers dramatic performance in a thoroughly seductive shape. Although sharing a great deal of hardware with the G37, the Coupé is designed to appeal to a different buyer. The dynamic styling allied to its obvious performance potential will appeal to successful individuals who appreciate beautiful design and enjoy driving. They aren’t prone to following the herd… and they might not even drive a coupé currently.

“The typical buyer of a G37 Coupé will be a little younger than the four-door buyer, but no less discerning. He or she will be someone who appreciates quality but wants to make an even bolder statement,” says Jim Wright, Vice President, Infiniti Europe. “A G37 Coupé buyer might be an existing coupé driver but he is just as likely to own a sports estate or a compact SUV.”

When he does step into a G37 Coupé, he’ll find the exterior styling is matched by a refined interior. And when he starts the engine, he will find a true performance car that delivers what it promises. “The G37 Coupé takes the best attributes of the four-door and adds even more. It’s a car designed to appeal to the emotions, yet one which delivers on a practical level, too,” says Bastien Schupp, Marketing Director, Infiniti Europe.

G37 Coupé at a glance

• Stunning, uncompromised styling
• Two plus two cabin
• Rear-wheel drive driving dynamics with Four-Wheel Active Steer availability
• Potent 3.7-litre V6 engine producing over 310PS
• Six-speed manual or advanced seven-speed automatic
• Class leading passive safety features including pedestrian-friendly pop-up bonnet

share  |   email to a friend  |   print  |   add a comment
Page 1 / 2: Next Page

Comments

Not too sure about the rear but that interior is much much more superior than the 3 series Coupe, A5 or Merc coupe. The seats are lekker too. However this car was torn to pieces when it was pitted against it's german rivals on the track. It's a great car anyway and shows that the Germans have got to hike their level a notch up or else they will start to play catch up. Nice one Nissan.

by wisp | February 26, 2008 3:09 PM
This car is better than the 3-series. It has Japanese reliability, rear wheel steering, and it out performes every 3 series except for the 335i on the 0-60, and thats only because it has a twin turbo. But infinity out handles it. And by the way, everytime they compare the 335 and the g37, the 335 always malfunctions when it overheats. The g37 will never overheat and it costs well under $10k less. I think its a no brainer to choose it over the overpriced german car that breaks down. Many people say that the g37 out handles the 3-series. wow and infinity didnt even have to put the battery in the trunk to do it......

by pzigly | February 28, 2008 10:14 AM
only that you can see, sitting in this infinity is the rear plate number of the BMW 3 series coupe,This is a car for USA not for Europeans....

by serraxtrem | February 26, 2008 3:47 PM
You Damn right! Indeed the G37is a car for America, cause we ain't got no PIG TRAILS like you all in Europe. We have Expressways and beautiful routes, like Route 66 and so many highways. Besides, those German cars are overpriced and underpowered.

by sebastianmejia17 | February 26, 2008 6:24 PM
Ahahaha pig trails....Europe has some of the best roads in the world and also the most technologically advanced roads. As for beauty it's very evident you have never been to Europe, i have only been to Germany and Romania and i can say i have seen roads that are unlike any roads in North America. For example the trans-fagarasan in Romania that goes over the mountains and that's 2.8km up, when you reach the top you are driving above the clouds, truly an amazing sight both going up and coming down that road. I recommend you watch the top gear episode where they search for the most beautiful roads in Europe.

by Radmeister | February 26, 2008 7:12 PM
Yeah if you put this agains the 335 coupe it will get destroyed, but if you put it up against the equivalent priced coupe which would be like a 320 it would win. I personally love the way the G35 and G37 sound exhaust note wise. But the problem here in canada is there are too many people with this car, it has lost its specialness.

by Radmeister | February 26, 2008 5:34 PM
sebastianmejia17 those "pig trails" are exactly the reason why european cars are better than american.Cars are meant to turn not just go straight, something americans tend to forget.And if you think you have beautiful routes, i guess you haven't been to europe...

by andreas350z | February 26, 2008 7:06 PM
Top Gear searching for the best European roads is one of the best tv montage, ever. Transfagarasean is a true beauty. Though, back on subject, the Renault-Infinity combination is a great compliment to BMW as to increase competition, get BMW to put out even greater cars... if such thing is possible (335i is as close to perfection as anything).

by panuzzi | February 26, 2008 7:34 PM
BMW could very well learn from Nissan/Infiniti (350Z/G37) offering a limited slip diff. Then the 330i/335i would be even closer to perfection, with the plus of bearing the legendary inline 6 vs M3's V8.

by ck314 | February 27, 2008 12:13 AM
It always has to be the rest versus BMW. Agreed they set the standards and the one thing other car makers fail to understand is that the more they target BMW, the more they help BMW just become stronger. By the way, the Nissan 350Z is way inferior to the 335i BMW. The G37 Infiniti was also humiliated by the 335i. In South Africa at the reef, the 335i BMW was tested against the M3 V8 and the RS4. The 335i on a quater mile dash was quicker than the two and around a race track it was slightly behind the M3 but ahead of the RS4. This test was by the Star Motoring and Top Gear. So the question is do you still think the 350Z and G37 better Nissans better than the 335i BMW?

by wisp | February 27, 2008 7:44 AM
When you buy a BMW what you look for is, above all, sheer driving pleasure, as their ad slogan states, not cold fast laps around the track. It is a pity that mediocre endurance braking (M3/335i), lack of lsd (335i), intrusive break assist system when cornering (135i/335i), understeer (135i) among others easily remediable details, prevent them from being flawless. From this perspective, my ideal Bimmer would be a 330i Coupé (better exhaust note than 335i) with sport suspension, LSD and Porsche Cayman's brakes and steering.

by ck314 | February 27, 2008 7:35 PM
brake assist even*

by ck314 | February 27, 2008 7:49 PM
The interior looks good from the photos but I can already imagine it will feel plastic once sat inside, just like the 350Z. European makes the best quality cars, I guess Infiniti taking on the euros is a bit like Lexus taking on the euros....theres always and always will have a gap.

by kevoluetion | February 27, 2008 8:01 AM
Not even close to z interior, much more refined. Its very nice leather its lexus like.

by pzigly | February 28, 2008 1:37 PM
I would also have to go with the Z interior over this one.

by reddis | April 26, 2008 12:14 AM
This car looks like the old one?

by The_woo_factor | February 27, 2008 2:30 PM
BMW is about fast laps and hang on to your pants feel when you hit the corners. BMW certainly does not have oversteer and understeer extreme problems as suggested, certainly the ones you tested were ones from China. Yes any car will lose the grip on brakes if you brake hard unless you have ceramic brakes (and very few cars have - too expensive), oversteer is certainly not part of BMW and a jibe aimed at the M3 certainly doesn't do you any good as this car by most peoples eyes was very close to being the car of the decade (M3 E90). What do you suggest they mean by sheer driving pleasure? certainly not the lazy comfy dip and rise feel of the Merc (puts you to sleep). Shher driviing pleasuer is all about adrenalin.

by wisp | February 28, 2008 8:48 AM
If I wanted adrenalin at the track, then a lighter M3 (CSL?) with improved brakes (not necessarily ceramic, look at Porsche's regular brakes, theyre light years ahead anyway) or a 997 GT3 would do the job. The rest of the BMW 1 to 5 ranges (non-M) are better suited for adrenalin surges on open twisty roads and, no, the 135i I drove in France wasn't "made in China" plus I never mentioned extreme under or oversteer, but it understeers noticeably more than the 335iA Coupé I had tested a few months earlier. And the fact that the brake assist gayness prevents you from swinging/positioning the car's rear on slow and medium speed corners feels somewhat castrating. There should be the option to totally disconnect it when you turn DSC off.

by ck314 | February 28, 2008 6:21 PM

Add Your Comment

Existing Users

Username
Password
remember me on this computer

New Users

Username
Email
Password
Comment
Subscribe to WorldCarFans Newsletter
Please enter your email in the following box and click subscribe to receive our daily email