Took the all-new 2007 Infiniti G35 home last night. I was anxious to try this one out, as the last one clearly put Infiniti on the sport sedan map, with many people feeling it was the best attempt yet to de-throne the 3 Series. There's an embargo on driving impressions until September 1, so I can only talk about the basics, like the looks (which you've all seen already) and some of the high-tech features. I think the new car looks better than ever. I liked the previous version, but the vertical headlamps were never my favorite styling feature (I don't like them on mid-1960s Pontiacs, either)...
The new G35 has approximately 300 horsepower, and if you've driven the old one you can guess what that VQ engine, offering more horsepower and more technology, feels like (the engine now revs to 7,500 rpm instead 6,500). The five speed automatic transmission is also more advanced. It has multiple driving modes that are supposed to rev match, hold gears and even downshift under braking. Plus it has steering-wheel-mounted paddles. You can, um, only assume that Infiniti got all this stuff working really well -- which they, um, probably did! Yes, I would have to say they probably did! I know that my biggest problem with the current G35 was how rapidly it would transition from understeer to oversteer when driven hard around corners -- assuming you disabled VDC. Well, our test car was a Sport model so it also had the Viscous Limited Slip Differential, and I can safety (and probably legally...) say I don't have a problem with the new car's at-the-limit driving behavior.
There's also a "Studio on Wheels" optional sound system by Bose, and it includes features like three-way speakers in the doors that incorporate 10-inch woofers, plus a 24-bit digital audio converter and 9.5GB hard drive that can rip CDs from the head unit. Finally, Infiniti knew that interior quality was not the last G's strong suit. This one has aluminum trim, a hand stitched steering wheel and magnesium paddle shifters, plus high-quality leather seats and plenty of soft-touch material everywhere else.
Let's see, what else can I hopefully say... How about "This car will do quite well in the marketplace." That shouldn't get me in too much trouble.
By jaserb
on August 25, 2006
08:48 AM
Maybe it's just me, but I see more than a little Maserati Quattroporte in the rear haunches. I like it - more distinctive than the current G or M. Should be a really nice drive - although I certainly didn't derive that conclusion from anything the blog owner may or may not have written prior to the completion of the embargo.
-Jason
By blueguydotcom
on August 25, 2006
09:38 AM
Thank you! I asked you about the G a bit back but the embargo probably kept you from saying much.
Vis-a-vis a 3 (e90 sport package), is it closer to the BMW world now? I'm looking very forward to reviews. I'm about this -><- close to putting my 330i on swapalease because I find the car as boring as snot. No sense in paying for a car I find boring when I get an older car, pay less and have just as little fun. Anyway the G35 might be the answer for me. At least then I won't have to deal with poor BMW engineering.
By 1487
on August 25, 2006
02:55 PM
This car should be better than the 3 series in almost every way, including value but just like the last one (and every other car in this class) it will be relagated to 2nd place by the press. No car will ever been above the 3 series in the minds of the BMW loving press. The 3 series is a nice car, but this whole notion that it does something other cars cant do is stupid. I'll take the faster, bigger, cheaper G35 with its nice warm interior over the overpriced, cramped, cold as ice interior 330i anyday. With this car and the new C class and CTS coming soon, the 3 is going to have some tough competition.
By roar02ram
on August 25, 2006
03:14 PM
Too bad Infiniti chose to stick with a 5-speed auto. Lexus, BMW, and VW all have 6-speeds, and Mercedes of course has their 7-speed. Then again, I think it was a good idea not to put in a CVT, which knowing Nissan was probably the alternative.
By bulldawg
on August 25, 2006
06:03 PM
I thought the new VQ engines were 306hp to match the Lexus IS? Btw Karl, very good review. It's hard to find an unbiased auto journalist out there whos willing to give you both pros and cons.
By blueguydotcom
on August 26, 2006
01:17 AM
If we all wanted "wamr" interiors, we could opt for the Lexus ES/IS. I'm glad Infiniti's still trying to go toe-to-toe with BMW. I wanted very much to like the first one in 2003 and the upgrade in 05/06 but the car still was too unrefined eninge-wise and the FM-platform too prone to snap oversteer. Hopefully they addressed the snap oversteer: that'd help the car considerably. It's also too darn big. I passed a G20 the other day and wondered why they don't make cars that size with RWD...that'd be heaven.
By billt9
on August 26, 2006
11:25 AM
Motortrend already has their entire comparo review of the 2007 G35 / BMW 330i on bookstore shelves, with specs and all driving impressions on the G35. There's still an embargo?
By editor_karl
on August 26, 2006
11:18 PM
Wait -- Motor Trend broke an Embargo?!
Inconceivable.
By 1487
on August 27, 2006
09:01 AM
The point of the embargo is to keep the info under wraps until the monthly mags hit the newstands. MT always comes out earlier than its competitors and thus their reviews of new cars often hit the stands before the embargo date.
By trackwrex
on August 27, 2006
07:43 PM
okay, everyone's ignoring embargo's now. seriously. watch the auto mfrs. retaliate by making their info less accessible. THANKS guys! :P Okay, now moving onto the new G35... I must say, after seeing it and looking at all the upgrades during our "press car" event, it is a very worthwhile redesign. I believe it'll give the IS 350 a big run for it's money. Sadly, i remember looking at the trip computer and seeing a 14mpg avg. (Karl, is this your doing? hahaha!) Technological advancements, aesthetic upgrades and just the whole package was a great job by Nissan. Pricing will be key with this segment but I don't think the G35 will have any problems selling. Sad to say though, out of all the Japanese mfrs., I've noticed that Nissan has the worst gas mileage. Some of the best powerplants... but gas... well, they're a bit on the thirsty side. Oh, and let's not forget Rex's favorite topic: modifying the car! That engine bay looks to be like a nightmare to work on... two intake chambers? easier to turbocharge but s/c might have problems. So, uh, how am I going to upgrade the (2) headers, etc? LOL. j/k
By rayainsw
on September 1, 2006
06:24 AM
It is Sept 1 - more?
Please?
- Ray
By editor_karl
on September 1, 2006
12:28 PM
The engine is awesome, but the "Sport" suspension in extra stiff mode is just a bit too much (bounces too much on bumpy roads). The interior is great, and only the steering feel keeps it from being better than the 3 Series (in just that area, overall it's pretty tough to say...).
Our first drive should be going up today.
By rayainsw
on September 1, 2006
12:39 PM
"Our first drive should be going up today."
Cool.
Thanks!
- Ray
By rayainsw
on September 1, 2006
01:01 PM
Read it.
If you still have the test car ( or you noted this ) what is \ was the RPM at cruise - say 60, 70, 80?
And \ or what is the final drive ratio?
I expect that most tests will be of the M6....
Thanks!
- Ray
By editor_karl
on September 1, 2006
08:51 PM
I never checked that, but I don't remember it seeming too high in terms of gearing or RPM at highway speeds. However, if you put in enough sound deadening a car can be at redline and you won't know it.
By hondacura4
on September 2, 2006
09:25 PM
As good as the "new" VQ35 is, the Lexus IS350's is still better, its the best V6 currently offered. And the dyno says so. The Lexus 3.5 is actually a bit underated. But the G obviously trounces it in driving dynamics. But has Infiniti added the refinement the previous version surely lacked?
The G looks good with the exception of the rear end. It looks like they ran out of ideas and just gave up. The new G is certainly a great car but I stil get the feeling Inifinti needs to add some refinement.
By rayainsw
on September 5, 2006
07:46 AM
“I never checked that, but I don't remember it seeming too high in terms of gearing or RPM at highway speeds. However, if you put in enough sound deadening a car can be at redline and you won't know it.”
At one level, I agree here.
Yet, I happen to ( strongly ) prefer low RPM at cruise.
Since Infiniti is happy to warrant their drivetrain for 6 years / 70,000 miles, I presume that there are no significant reliability issues with turning 2400 RPM at 60 MPH – but I really appreciate a lower RPM at cruising speeds of 60 and above. I am sure it is largely psychological – it just seems to me that the drivetrain has to be more relaxed and less stressed at substantially lower RPM. My current sedan turns approx. 1600 RPM at 60. ( In the sports \ GT realm, the gearing is one reason the Corvette C6 with A6 appeals to me. )
I saw some indication that Infiniti had changed one or more internal ratios in the A5 trans. – was wondering if they had changed the Fifth \ OD ratio – and \ or the final drive ratio – for lower RPM, since they ( still ) do not have a six speed trans. for these cars, like so many other competing sedans.
Oh, well.
Thanks!
- Ray
By rayainsw
on September 5, 2006
07:47 AM
Oh - and lower RPM would likely help real world cruising MPG.
- Ray
By editor_karl
on September 5, 2006
03:37 PM
I totally agree with you. I grew up driving big-block Mopars that didn't like to spin over 5,000 rpm, but made superb torque from idle up to 5,000 revs. And as much as I like the Honda S2000 I could personally never own one because I have never gotten used to the idea of beating the tar out of an engine just to get into it's performance zone (same thing has also kept me off Japanese bikes, versus British or Italian). I agree that even masking the noise of a high-winding engine doesn't make me happy about high revs -- not to mention the fuel mileage issue.
By svt_rs
on December 31, 2006
12:22 PM
i totally agree, and i believe thats the reason behind the C6 with 400horses getting v6 kind gas mileage (19city/28highway)
the O/D gear is not made for performance, but for better gas mileage, thats why you have 5 other gears to play with, i think if they made the OD gear a little longer where one can go at highway speeds with the engine revving at 1500 rpm as opposed to 3000, you could have more performance and better mileage
By alexblyakhman
on February 24, 2007
05:27 PM
I just drove the S sedan with a 6 speed MT. It's awsome. I wrote about it on my blog (http://www.autoverdict.com). I haven't seen so many cool toys in any other car. BMW & Audi don't even come close. Lexus is not to far behind, but still not quite there.