G FORCE
2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe Sport 6MT

By Mark Dorman Waking up Monday morning is not at the top of my favorite things to do list. However this particular morning was not your typical Monday. It felt a little like Christmas as I eagerly awaited the delivery of a new G37 Coupe for testing. 11:00am rolls around and all of a sudden the unmistakable sound of the G37's VQ exhaust note echoes from around the corner. It has arrived, in all of its majesty. Immediately, I think to myself, “I am so gonna get pulled over.” My week is made after a quick walk around the car and seeing that it had that glorious red “S” badge on the back. A quick look inside brings me another pleasant discovery: That mythical third pedal that you rarely see on cars these days. Things are looking up.

First Impressions The G37 Coupe is a beautiful car. With sweeping soft lines, an aggressive front fascia, and a hunkered down stance, it looks the part of a luxury sports coupe. The interior is incredibly inviting. The styling and design of the interior is class leading. However there is a feel of security and comfort you get from sitting in the driver’s seat that you cannot get from simply looking at pictures. The trunk is so small that there is a diagram showing you how you can fit two golf bags into it (theoretically). The back seat is as useful and spacious as the trunk, providing very little head or leg room. Being about six feet tall, with the front seat in my driving position, I cannot foresee how anyone over the height of five feet can comfortably fit in the back.

Driving Impressions Sit down in the G37, press the start button, and it’s hard not to crack a smile. The 3.7 liter V6 roaring to life puts a smile on any car enthusiasts face. Throw the car into first gear, give it some gas, and it’s easy to see how this car lives up to its numbers. With plenty of low end torque, the car gets up to speed in a hurry, even when you are not really trying to speed up. Shift throws are short and crisp with a fairly easy-to-modulate clutch (despite being a bit springy in feeling). Where the G37 really starts to shine is in the corners. The car is incredibly well set up for fast sweeping curves and switch backs. The G is still well mannered in slower sharp turns, however the back tends to want to step out on you. The traction control nanny light is something you become used to if you give it a little too much gas on any 90 degree turn in first or second gear. With the traction control switched off, the car is predictable and easy to control if the rear wheels start to slip because of the standard limited slip differential. The brakes are phenomenal, instilling confidence to stop in any situation and are very fade resistant.

The ride is surprisingly comfortable, considering how aggressive the suspension is set up. Infiniti claims its combination of a double wishbone up front and multi-link in the rear with Dual Flow Path Shock Absorbers is responsible for the comfort and handling. Whatever it is though, it works, and it works well. The interior is very quiet as well with very low wind noise, even at highway speeds. The road noise is modest. Most of it seems to come from the low profile performance tires. The seats are comfortable and supportive—great for both long and short trips. The navigation, stereo, and phone system on the car is intuitive and easy to reach and control. The standard (on S models) Bose Premium Sound system is so nice, you might not even think about the slight tire roar (you’ll be playing your favorite songs though the iPod interface). The engine is a bit thirsty. Actual average gas mileage is observed at 19.8 miles per gallon with mixed highway and street driving with some exuberant acceleration bursts that are hard to resist. Though competitive in its class, the G37 is definitely not the most economical.

Conclusion The G37 is sports coupe worthy of sitting in anyone’s garage or driveway. It feels at home at speed on the freeway or cruising down Pacific Coast Highway. Opting for the optional “Sport” package is a definite must. Power is never lacking, giving you the passing power that rivals most true sports cars. Even though the manual transmission is very nice, the car feels like it’s built around an automatic transmission. I’m confident that the car will feel a lot more luxurious in automatic trim and a little more relaxing of a drive if that’s what you’re interested in. Overall though, it is a great car that I recommend to anyone looking for a luxury sports coupe. For more information about Infiniti products, go to www.infinitiusa.com

SPECIFICATIONS Name of car: 2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe Sport 6MT Price: $39,800 (base) $44,900 (Sport 6MT, as tested) EPA fuel economy rating 17 city/25 highway (miles per gallon) Engine: 3.7-liter (3,696cc) 24-valve DOHC V6 engine, aluminum-alloy block and heads with microfinished camshafts, Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS), and Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL®) Horsepower: 330 @ 7,000 rpm Torque: 270 pound-feet @ 5,200 rpm Transmission: Close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter (test vehicle equipped) Available: Electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and Drive Sport (DS) mode. Driver-adaptive learning algorithm senses driving style and adjusts automatic shifting accordingly. Manual shift mode offers sequentially selectable manual gearshifts and Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) Drive configuration: Rear-wheel drive Steering: Vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering. 14.7 : 1 sport-tuned steering gear (standard on Sport, optional on base model) Suspension Front: Independent double-wishbone with coil springs over Dual Flow Path® shock absorbers, stabilizer bar Rear: Independent, multi-link with coil springs and Dual Flow Path® shock absorbers, stabilizer bar (sport-tuned suspension standard on Sport, optional on other models Brakes: Front/Rear: Aluminum 4-piston opposed front calipers with 14.0 x 1.3-inch ventilated discs/2-piston opposed rear calipers with 13.8 x 0.8-inch ventilated discs; 4-wheel, 4-channel ABS Wheels and Tires Front: 19 x 8.5-inch, split V-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/45R19 summer performance tires Rear: 19 x 9.0-inch, aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/40R19 summer performance tires (standard on Sport, optional on base model) Dimensions Length: 183.7 inches Width: 71.8 inches Height: 54.9 Curb weight: 3708 pounds