New Car Review: 2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS
Meet the next generation at Infiniti. The 2003 G35 sedan is only
the beginning of a line of innovatively-styled and engineered
vehicles to come from the Japanese luxury manufacturer. Expect
more in the near future. Infiniti's vision of itself is being honed, and
it bodes well for the future.
Other than the letter ``G'' in its name and four wheels, the G35
has little in common with the smaller, older G20. The G35 is aimed
directly at the heart of the European compact performance-luxury
class. Munich und Stuttgart, look out. Like its chief competitors,
the G35 has a front-engine, rear-wheel drive chassis layout with a
sophisticated fully-independent suspension. It's not just any old
front-engine, rear-drive platform, though. The G35 is built on the
same chassis architecture as the latest iteration of the legendary
Nissan Skyline and the soon-to-come 350Z.
That platform is called ``FM'' for the ``front midship'' engine
placement. Development involved many of the people who worked
on Nissan's Le Mans and Group C endurance racing programs, and
it shows. The lightweight, 260-horsepower V6's center of gravity is
behind the front axle line, for optimum weight distribution. Careful
attention to aerodynamics, including the underside, reduces lift at
speed, for stability. An extremely rigid unibody structure and
extensive use of aluminum suspension components aid handling and
comfort at all speeds. The wheels are at the corners, for a longer
wheelbase and wider track, benefiting handling, and increased
interior space.
Without options, the G35 is well-equipped for its class; many
different option packages allow it to be tailored to the owner's
tastes. I've spent the last week in one with almost all of the
trimmings, lacking only the sport suspension and aero packages and
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the DVD navigation system. It is a consummate sports-luxury
sedan, combining performance, handling, comfort, and style in a
way that puts it at the head of its class.
APPEARANCE: The G35' sleek styling is distinctive from all
angles, and is nearly identical to that of the newest Nissan Skyline.
With its low nose, high fenders, and semi-fastback roofline, it looks
more like a sports coupe than a sedan. The low, wide grille is
flanked by headlamps placed behind rounded fairings; a long,
straight bulge in the low aluminum hood furthers the classic sports
car look. The roofline is sedan formal only in comparison to the
upcoming G35 coupe. The sharply-truncated tail balances the
rounded shapes of the rest of the car, and features unique
wraparound LED taillights. Aerodynamics played an important part
in the body design, not for looks but for function. Careful design of
the underside and management of internal airflow result in low
aerodynamic drag and minimal lift at speed - zero with the optional
sport aero package. Placing the wheels near the corners of the car
results in low overhangs, for easy clearance of road hazards despite
the low stance.
COMFORT: The long wheelbase and wide track of the FM
platform mean that the G35 has more room than expected in cars of
its class. In design, the interior has all of the expected contemporary
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luxury cues, but is as original as the exterior and shows the same
great attention to detail. Even with dark ``graphite'' upholstery, as
my test car had, a cream headliner lightens the interior, as does the
optional bird's-eye maple trim package. The main instrument pod
tilts with the steering wheel, for better instrument visibility. The
front bucket seats combine comfort and support; the power
adjustments are inboard, for easier operation. As part of the
``Premium Package,'' the outboard rear seat backs are individually
adjustable for angle. It is one of the roomiest rear seats in the class.
Many storage spaces of varied size are found throughout, and trunk
space is very good, even with a full-size spare tire under the trunk
floor.
SAFETY: The G35 is designed to protect occupants in a collision
with strong construction, front and rear crumple zones, front and
front side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags.
ROADABILITY: Lesson from endurance racing: comfort adds
performance. The ``flat ride concept'' developed during the Nissan
endurance racing program is that less body motion means less
driver and passenger fatigue. A rigid chassis structure with ideal
weight balance, lightweight independent suspension, and perfect
matching of spring, shock, and stabilizer bar rates results in a
comfortably firm but compliant ride and first-class handling with
little roll or pitch - and that's with the standard suspension. A
slightly firmer sport tuning is also available. In either trim, the G35
is very capable on the road, and holds its own against any car in its
class.
PERFORMANCE: The 3.5-liter V6 under the G35's hood is a
member of the award-winning Nissan/Infiniti VQ engine series
familiar in the Nissan Maxima and Infiniti I30 and I35. It features a
rigid aluminum alloy block and heads, low-friction construction,
continuously-variable valve timing, and a electronically-controlled
``drive by wire'' throttle control. Power is delivered to the rear
wheels via a five-speed electronically-controlled automatic
transmission with manual shift mode. It develops 260 horsepower
at 6000 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm, with plenty of
power available at any engine speed. It shifts smoothly and quickly
automatically, and just as well in manual mode for a sportier
experience. It is smooth and vibration free, with a classic six-
cylinder sound. Acceleration is no problem - sixty comes up in just
over six seconds.
CONCLUSIONS: The Infiniti G35 is a luxury sedan designed by
race car engineers, and it shows - very positively.
SPECIFICATIONS
2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan
Base Price $ 28,950 (leather model)
Price As Tested $ 33,395
Engine Type aluminum alloy dual overhead cam
24-valve V6
with continuous variable valve timing
Engine Size 3.5 liters / x cu. in.
Horsepower 260 @ 6000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 260 @ 4800 rpm
Transmission 5-speed electronically-controlled
automatic
Wheelbase / Length 112.2 in. / 186.5 in.
Curb Weight 3,369 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 13.0
Fuel Capacity 20 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
Tires P215/55 VR17 Goodyear Eagle RS-A
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc,
antilock standard
Suspension, front/rear multi-link independent /
multi-link independent
Drivetrain front engine, rear-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 19 / 26 / 21
0 to 60 mph 6.1 sec
Coefficient of Drag (cd) 0.27
OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Premium Package - includes: Bose(tm) 200-watt audio
system, dual climate control with rear vents, driver's
seat memory, 4-way adjustable front passenger seat,
reclining rear seats, auto on/off headlights, Homelink (tm),
auto-dimming rearview mirror, all windows one-touch
up/down $ 2,200
Sunroof $ 1,000
Winter Package with full-size spare tire $ 450
Wood Package - genuine bird's-eye maple trim $ 250
Destination charge $ 545
