‘SPORTING PERFORMANCE AND LUXURY WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK’

The 2013 Infiniti G37 Sport 2+2 sports coupe with the 6-speed manual transmission continues to be the lowest priced luxury high-performance 2+2 sports coupe on the market.  My G37 Sport 2+2 sports coupe with the Technology Package was priced at only $44,900.00 and took care of all of the performance, comfort, infotainment and safety systems that I would want to enjoy in a luxury high-performance sports coupe.

I’m talking about a 330 hp V6 engine, a short-throw six-speed manual gearbox, fully independent sport-tuned suspension, a sport-tuned steering gear, powerful   brakes riding on 19X9 in. light alloy wheels wrapped with Bridgestone super-high-performance tires, and that’s just what lies under the stunning skin of the car.  I’ll speak to the design and interior accruements later, but first the hard-parts.

The G37 Sport 2+2 is powered by a 3.7 liter VQ-series all-aluminum, DOHC V6 with VVEL (variable valve event and lift) that generates a healthy 330 hp at 7,000rpm and 270 lb.ft. of torque at 5,200rpm.  Infiniti’s proprietary VVEL system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable lift on the intake side to help improve performance and response.  This engine is so smooth yet quickly revs to its 7,500 redline.  The engine also features a ladder type frame construction, large crank journal and pin diameters, asymmetric pistons skirts, twin knock sensors, an electronically controlled drive-by-wire throttle for incredible quick response, lightweight pistons, Iridium spark plugs and a symmetric twin air intake system.  The specially tuned dual exhaust system features equal length exhaust manifolds and low muffler exhaust backpressure to help improve engine breathing.  When you push the start button on the dashboard you’ll hear low growl and when pushed the low growl increases to a wild loud growl.  Its music to my ears!

All of the torque is transferred to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed, short-throw gearbox that is fun to use.  It is so precise that you go right into the next gear when increasing speed or quickly downshift when coming into a curve.  It’s precision in motion.  Also available is the electronically controlled seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, downshift rev matching, Drive Sport mode and adaptive shift control that allows for quicker shifts in sporty driving conditions, and available solid magnesium paddle shifters.  With the six-speed slushbox I felt more a part of the car as I was able to hold the shifts longer up or down.  You just can’t beat a manual gearbox but it is too bad that it is becoming less and less available in sports cars.  The power to the pavement is put down with a standard viscous limited-slip differential.  The G37 Sport blasts out to 60 mph from a standstill in just 5.1 seconds.  That’s fast, really fast for under $45,000.00!

What really separates the G37S coupe from other performance coupes is the fun to drive and thrilling sport-tuned fully independent suspension.  The ride is light and very neutral with an almost perfectly balanced (54/46 f/r) coupe.  The awesome ride characteristics first start with the second-generation FM (Front Mid-ship) platform.  The lightweight aluminum suspension components further enhance the G37S’s tremendous handling ability.  Up front is a double-wishbone setup with a single pivot lower wishbone and a long upper links, monotube gas-charged shocks, coil springs and a stabilizer bar.  The rear multi-link suspension separates the shock absorbers and coil springs, locating the shock absorber inline.

This setup gave me the feeling that I was riding on rails.  Straight-line travel at high-speed was very stable, while attacking a steep curve was spot on with no understeer and very little oversteer (unless I turned the traction control off), which really got my heart pumping.  In case I miss-calculated my approach, the stand vehicle dynamic control system kept me out of trouble by using the brakes and throttle control.  Blasting out of steep curves was fun and exciting with the tail slightly slipping out but getting back inline quickly.  The ride is always firm but never harsh.

Braking from speed when entering a curve or when traveling straight ahead but needing to slow down from triple-digit speeds is the high-performance braking system.  Up front are 14 inch vented discs clamped with four-piston calipers and 13.8 inch vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers in the rear.  Enhancing your braking power and control are the standard ABS, BA and EBD systems.

The exterior styling follows the sporty performance theme of what lies under the skin by its ‘sculpted from a solid piece of metal’ design.  The front fascia has cues from race cars with its deep slitter and upturned lower bumper with foglamps at the corners.  You also see Infiniti’s signature double-arch grille and L-shaped HID bi-functional xenon headlamps.  The aluminum hood also features the Infiniti standard ‘wave’ design.  From the side are steeply raked A-pillars, aero-styled power/heated sideview mirrors, pull-out door handles, flared fenders, a strong side character line and deep side sills that integrate into the large wheel wells filled with 19 inch high-performance wheels and tires.  The rear shows a broad fender flowing into the large LED taillights, a chrome rear spoiler mounted onto the rear of the trunk lid, a flat rear bumper, rear underbody air diffusers and large dual exhaust outlets with chrome finishers.  It is a look that is unique and sporty all-around.

The interior is a perfect blend of sporty cues and luxury with excellent craftsmanship.  The Infiniti signature ‘double wave’ instrument panel design is outstanding and easy to use with a separate instrument cluster, a full-length center console and a center stack with the navigation buttons and dials up top, the audio system controls in the middle and the dual zone climate controls below.  The small leather-wrapped/aluminum shift knob is in the perfect place for ease of use and is surrounded by a chrome bezel.  All of the touch points are quality soft material that you would find in a luxury car and the Silk Obi aluminum interior trim adds a unique look to the instrument panel, center stack, the center console and door panels.  A standard double hand-stitched leather covered steering wheel features power tilt/telescoping for the perfect angle and reach and fits perfectly in your hands for easy use.  It features audio control and cruise control buttons as well as controls for the Bluetooth hands free communication system.  The easy to see instrument cluster features Infiniti’s electroluminescent instrumentation with white illumination and integrated multi-function information drive computer display with readouts for average fuel consumption, real-time fuel economy, average speed, elapsed time, running distance, distance to empty, outside temperature, warning displays, and odometer.  The Sport Package features leather bucket seats that are comfortable and very supportive.  They feature thigh extensions, and the driver’s side features power adjustments for the deeply cut side bolsters and adjustable torso.  The driver gets a 12-way power adjustment seat with lumbar and front passenger get 8-way power adjustments.  The seats also feature 2-way adjustable head restraints and a unique rear-seat access system with the front seats moving forward automatically at the touch of a button to allow small passengers into the rear seats.

Standard features not mentioned above include aluminum pedals and foot rest, power express up/down windows, power door locks, heated seats, intelligent key with push button start/stop, aluminum kick plates, deep center console storage box with padded armrest, variable speed wipers/washers, cruise control, dual map lights, grab handles above each door, remote trunk release, ash tray with lighter, power sliding/tinted sunroof and storage slots in each door.

The standard technology package in my G37S includes the Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with a 7 inch color screen, Nav Traffic/Nav Weather, Rear View Monitor, rear sonar system, Infiniti Studio On Wheels by Bose with 11-speakers and a 3-way front door speaker array using 10 inch woofers, Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio, USB connection port for iPod interface, auto headlamps, HomeLink Universal Transceiver, and Infiniti’s voice recognition.

Standard safety features include driver/front passenger front airbags/side impact airbags, 3-point safety belts with front pretensioners/load limiters, LATCH system for child seats, tire pressure monitoring system, vehicle security system, vehicle immobilizer system and emergency inside trunk release.

Enough said, the new 2013 Infiniti G37S 6MT remains one of the world’s greatest bargains for an entry level luxury high-performing sport coupe.  Inside, outside and under the skin, one can’t purchase a better vehicle for under $45,000.00.

COPYRIGHT: 2013: HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

• Price: Base G37 Coupe $40,400 / As-Tested G37 Sport Coupe $44,900.00
• Engine: 3.7-liter DOHC V6 330 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm / 270 ft-lbs. torque @ 5,200 rpm
• Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
• Total length: 183.7 inch
• Total width: 71.8 inches
• Total height: 54.9 inches
• Turning circle: 36.1 feet
• Headroom: f/r-37.7 with moonroof/34.5 inches
• Legroom: f/r-43.8/29.8 inches
• Fuel tank: 20 gallons
• Trunk: 7.4 cu.ft.
• Curb weight: 3,708 pounds
• EPA MPG mileage: 17mpg/city, 25mpg/highway
• 0-60 mph: 5.1 seconds