It is not too often that a writer for Automoblog.net has an opportunity to cross over to the marine industry news. The intertwining of automobiles and boats has actually amounted to some rather momentous creations in the transportation field. In 1953, marine product manufacturer Molded Fiber Glass Boat Company served as the new supplier of the Chevrolet Corvette‘s composite body shell. As well as building the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 cars during milestone era of the automobile, Chrysler Corporation was also heavily involved in the marine industry until the 1980s.

In many inboard motor speedboats built from the 1950s through to the 1970s, it was commonplace for automobile-derived powerplants to be modified for use on the water. While American auto companies such as Chevrolet, Chrysler or Ford have been popular engine choices, a group of students from Tennessee Technical Center in Nashville and the Nashville State Community College are currently engaged in a marine build project that will marry a classic wooden Chris Craft boat with Infiniti power.

Engineering exploration and a unique restoration endeavour, the Infiniti Luxury Boat Project basis is a 20-foot 1962 Chris Craft Holiday. Consisting of an all-wooden hull that has degraded due to the age of 50 years, one-half of the Infiniti Luxury Boat project focused on bringing the showroom condition back to the watercraft structure. For what is a labour intensive job, project supervisor George “Dodo” Brockman estimated that as much as 85 percent of the Chris Craft‘s wooden hull will need to be replaced stating, “Some pieces you could put your fist right through”. Up to 600 board feet of high-grade mahogany gathered through sustainable harvesting will be used to bring the Chris Craft Holiday boat back to its former glory.

As the 20-foot Chris Craft Holiday receives revitalization, Infiniti’s contribution, a 400-horsepower 5.6 liter V-8 to the marine project was being primed for its future home inside the watercraft. Called a marinized engine, the Infiniti 5.6 liter V-8 powerplant was modified to the rigors to boating. Through a travel that saw the all-aluminum eight-cylinder engine produced in Decherd, Tennessee removed from its original 2011 Infiniti QX56, transported to Maine and then to Alabama where a number of modifications were initiated. Fitted for combination with a ZF/Hurth marine transmission, the 5.6 liter V-8 engine consisted by a water-cooled exhaust manifold and is now equipped to run on a closed cooling system.

Besides receiving an engine from Infiniti, the inspiration of Nissan’s premium brand will go into the final presentation of the end creation. Through the reassembly process during the Infiniti Luxury Boat Project, the 1962 Chris Craft Holiday will receive a modern interior borrowing from the QX sport utility vehicle. Featuring semi-aniline leather seating, XM NavWeather system and a Bose sound system insure the watercraft aspires to echelons of speedboat luxury yet to be fully explored.

When completed, the Infiniti-powered 1962 Chris Craft boat will be combined with a colour-matching 2012 Infiniti QX56. While no completion date has been set on the Infiniti Luxury Boat Project, fans of the project are welcomed to visit Infiniti’s Facebook and Twitter page for updates.

Information and photo source: Nissan/Infiniti

Related posts:

1. Infiniti Teases New JX Crossover, “Power of 7″ Campaign
2. Infiniti Breaks Records with Hybrid
3. Infiniti Performance Line Provides Added G-Wiz

The North American auto show season is drawing close to an end for the half part of 2011. Acting as candy to the automotive enthusiasts will have been stricken to a diet of largely conservative styling and eco-friendly presentations, the 2011 edition of automotive exhibits are being delivered on an optimistic note. Presenting new, exploratory vehicles that now fuse design and technology in near perfect harmony, executives of the auto companies (not only the Detroit 3 automakers) are finding reason for a positive outlook. At the 2011 New York Auto Show, Nissan Americas Chairman Carlos Tavares put into words one of the major Japanese automakers’ eagerness inside the United States. During Wednesday’s breakfast with press and dignitaries inside Jacob Javits Convention Center, the Nissan executive vice president Tavares provided a speech full of announcements directed to the North American market.

A company that recorded a 17 percent increase in United States sales across its Nissan and Infiniti car line-ups in 2010, the Japanese-derived auto manufacturer understandably has been dealing with more somber headlines through the aftermath of Japan‘s current earthquake disaster. Leading off the press conference, Carlos Tavares recognized the North American continent’s thought pattern and support to the automaker’s corporate home. “Nissan extends a heartfelt “thank you” to so many of you – for offering kind words of support during this very difficult time. While the automotive industry is still feeling the effects of the disaster in Japan, we do have some good news to report. Nissan’s plants are all operational. “ Tavares said ahead of much of the day’s business.

Announcing major realignments for the United States production facilities, the Nissan Frontier and Xterra construction will be moved from the Smyma, Tennessee plant destined for manufacturing inside the Canton, Mississippi plant. The Canton manufacturing facility already assemblies the Titan full size truck with the Nissan NV commercial van production also set. As for the situation at the Smyma plant, the facility will be bracing for an all-new Infiniti luxury crossover. To be called the JX, the upcoming 2013 Infiniti model will feature three-row seating when introduced for spring of 2012.

Tavares says the ultimate goal is to up Nissan Americas production from 1.1 million to 1.7 million as well as reduce Japanese production dependency for United States sold vehicles. Though the current Japanese crisis could make many believe this planning was a result of a month ago, Nissan initiative is more consistent with their globalization plans playing out through the past decade.

Much of the new vehicle enthusiasm was geared around Nissan’s latest push with all-electric vehicles. Showing off a fun-loving Nissan Leaf purpose-built for racing by Nismo, the prospects of the production Leaf have never been higher. Having 20,000 reservations for one of the many anticipated zero emission vehicles, Nissan admits to presently having a 4-7 month wait at this time due to heavy demand and present conditions in production. Despite the current waiting list, Nissan’s plans to reduce delivery times as much as half when global production capacity of 150,000 Nissan Leafs is met. Currently manufactured in Japan, future North American Nissan Leaf cars will be built at a Smyrna, Tennessee plant in late 2012.

Starting the 2011 New York Auto Show bares a significant reasonability for initializing the enthusiasm of an exhibit. Thanks to Carlos Tavares and Nissan Americas, spectators of the New York event are set to enjoy another feast for the four-wheeled faithful.

Information and photo source: Nissan Americas

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2. Porsche Celebrates 60 Years in North America
3. Diesel VW Beetle & EV Up! Coming To America

Believe it or not, the entry-level $30,000-40,000 luxury car segment has escalated to the hottest competition within the premium automobile range. While faster, more expensive models exist within the luxury brand’s catalogs, vehicles like the BMW 3 Series and Cadillac CTS are portrayed as carrying their respective marques. Perhaps seen as a frugal way to sample the caress nature of leather seating and touch the high-grade engineering, many expect more from these smaller coupe and sedans. Pioneered by the BMW M3, a performance-seeking luxury car driving crowd are willing to forego a few dollars to capture the essence of modern hot rods.

At Pebble Beach, Infiniti took the wraps off their new sport-oriented vehicle range. Joining M, V, and AMG as letters signifying luxury car performance, the Nissan-owned premium brand introduces IPL as the next acronym for sophisticated tuning. Standing for the Infiniti Performance Line, the new IPL moniker will first transform Infiniti G37 Coupe into a hot street performer. Morphing the sports luxury car into the 2011 IPL G37 Coupe, the inaugural special edition Infiniti introduces a host of exterior, interior and performance enhancements.

The motivated IPL look is integrated into the G37 Coupe’s outer beauty giving birth to a design both devilish and devine. a ground effect look, the IPL G37 Coupe lower body kit provides a tasteful yet riveting sport appearance. A racy front air dam projects a noticeable splitter detail. Accompaning the more aggressive fascia treatment is integrated fog lamps which shine dramatically even through poorer driving conditions. The pronounced aerodynamic package on the front is gracefully carried along the rocker panels through tasteful side sills. Completing the modified bodywork, a rear deck spoiler arches over the truck as well as the discreet ‘IPL’ badge.

Some of the IPL G37 Coupe’s most redeeming performance enhancements preside within the Infiniti’s rolling chassis. Beyond the stylish 19-inch, 7-spoke graphite-finish wheels centered within Bridgestone Potenza W-rated tires, suspension tuning allows more sure-footed handling. With an increased spring rates, the IRL G37 now convey a more consistent feel for the road surface while shock dampers have also been tailored to “a new premium performance standard” according to Infiniti.

Inside, the 2011 IPL G37 Coupe draws on the best features found on the Infiniti option List as well as adding some exclusive items. Primarily draped in the colour of graphite (a red interior is available if a buyer opts for Malbec Black), leather seating and the IPL G37′s steering wheel is threaded with a red-stitching. Positioned in the technological dash, the Infiniti Studio on Wheels engineered by Bose is standard along with the Infiniti Hard Drive Navigational System. Together, the driver and passengers of the IPL G37 Coupe will bask in additional entertainment through a practically-charted journey.

In the most important place, the performance line of Infiniti puts its horsepower where it’s mouth is with the 2011 G37 Coupe. A specially-tuned high-flow exhaust system and performance augmenting of the 3.7 liter V-6 engine bumps up the power. An 18 horsepower improvement over the conventional G37 Coupe with a slight boost in torque production, the IPL is clearly no where near BMW M line or Mercedes-Benz AMG-fitted vehicles. In fact, the IPL G37 Coupe The engine power of the IPL G37 Coupe does outcome their corporate cousin, the Nissan Nismo 370Z, on the horsepower department.

Starting with the IPL G37 for 2011, Infiniti has full intentions of expanding their new performance line will be featured on future makes and models.

Information and photo source: Infiniti

Related posts:

1. Report Says Future Infiniti IPL Models Slated for AMG Power
2. Infiniti G37 Coupe Prices Revealed
3. Infiniti Mulling New Models

While the full-size sport utility vehicle market is no longer a bull market, the premium monstrosities continue to serve the desires of well-off motorists looking for an alternative to the old town car. For Nissan’s Infiniti brand, the QX56 accounts for a modest niche for the premium car brand but secures a hefty profit margin with simple brand engineering. A full-loaded version of an Infiniti QX56 retails for $7,000-8,000 more than a similarly-equipped Nissan Armada.

For 2011, while the Nissan Titan-based chassis the current QX56 rides is being discontinued, the Infiniti QX56 reappears with a global platform originating from the new Nissan Safari/Patrol SUV (This platform is also rumoured to be the basis of a future Nissan SUV). Measuring 1.4 inches longer and 1.1 inches wider, the 2011 Infiniti QX56 greatly dwarfs other Nissan products such as the Versa and the Leaf electric car. Draped over the large outer surface, Infiniti has managed to carry-over some some well-proportioned exterior cues shown within their new M sedan. The front end grille and headlamps lines roll along more rounded curvatures which translates into a more pronounced hood.

Plagued with being slightly underpowered in comparison to other full-sized luxury SUVs over the past few years, the revised QX56 brings a surprise to the category in 2011. Underneath the big, bold hood, a brand new edition of Nissan’s VK56 8-cylinder engine. Making a more ambitious run against the Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX 570, the 2011 Infiniti QX56 will produce 400 horsepower (an 80 horse improvement over the 2010 model) for both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive setups. Employing gasoline direct injection and Nissan’s Variable Valve Event and Lift System is a large contributor to the QX56′s performance gain made while improving fuel economy. Gaining 2 miles per gallon in combined driving over the 5.6 liter V-8 currently in use, the 2011 QX56 features a highly-respectable 14 city and 20 highway fuel consumption. Although featuring more horsepower, the 2011 Infiniti QX56 will suffer from a slight loss of 500 pounds of maximum towing capacity over the 2010 model but continues on with a still strong 8,500 pounds.

For an extra smooth application of this engine power, the QX56 is upgraded with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Apart from what will be a smooth and responsive powertrain, Infiniti’s the new Deluxe Touring Package adds a Hydraulic Body Motion Control system. Acting in concert with electronic stability control, the Infiniti QX56′s Hydraulic Body Motion Control alters the shock absorber settings to reduce body roll and through corners.

Seated within three rows of leather-appointed comfort, the choice spot will, of course, be the driver’s seat. Push-button ignition, XM NavTraffic® and Infiniti’s Around View™ 180 degree pivoting rear view camera. The Deluxe Touring Package adds an advanced climate control system alongside a Plasmacluster™ air purifier and Grape Polyphenol filter providing dream habitat for allergy escapists as well as individuals who merely enjoy absolutely clear cabin air.

Coming this summer, the 2011 Infiniti QX56 will join the Infiniti M sedan as the brand’s newest examples of inspired performance.

Related posts:

1. Infiniti to Reveal 2011 M in a Live Webcast – You’re Invited
2. Infiniti Mulling New Models
3. Infiniti Performance Line Provides Added G-Wiz

Last year, we got in a 2009 Infiniti EX35 to drive for a week, and even though I didn’t like it at first, I quickly realized how great of a car it really is. The 3.5-liter V6 engine provides plenty of power to haul it around, the 5-speed automatic transmission (which strangely feels like a CVT) is flawless, and it rides and handles both sporty and comfortable at the same time. While it may not have quite as much room as some rival small crossovers, it more than makes up for it in driving dynamics.

It’s not a car for enthusiasts, though gearheads like you and me will find it a perfect everyday driver in addition to your weekend ride. The amount of technology involved is incredible; opt for the $2,150 Bose & Around-View Monitor Package and get one of the coolest features on any car to date: a top-down view of you car on the 7-inch LCD monitor making it easier to navigate around tight spots than you ever thought possible. It includes – among a premium 11-speaker sound system – a front and rear sonar system, four color cameras on the front, rear, and sides, and an advanced climate control system. I highly recommend this package if you like the EX35.

The navigation system is top-notch, featuring (new for 2010) a Zagat restaurant guide and weather updates. Other additions for 2010 include standard bluetooth on the Journey trim, automatic headlights, and heated outside mirrors, along with an iPod/USB interface and an optional premium air filtration system.

2010 Infiniti EX35 LCD screen

The 2010 Infiniti EX35 truly is Driving for Dummies – it’s so incredibly easy to drive, easy to use the navigation and interior controls, and very comfortable. This is good and bad, of course, as it’s easy to get used to. Don’t teach your kid to drive in the EX – they won’t know how to drive anything else.

There are a few quirks about the 2010 Infiniti EX35 though, mostly small stuff. First, I had problems getting my iPhone to work correctly with the iPod interface. Podcasts would sometimes stop in the middle, and I couldn’t plug the phone in and start it from the car’s interface; I had to start a song, then plug it in. Our iPod nano didn’t have this problem, but keep that in mind if you own an iPhone. Also to skip to the next track on the iPod, you have to hit up instead of down on the steering wheel’s controls. Pressing down to go to the next track makes more sense. While it did have USB input for audio, it doesn’t include a standard auxiliary audio jack. Lastly, you’re unable to input information into the nav system while moving – a stupid and pointless “feature” most cars have nowadays. Oh, and while possibly not a downside, someone pointed out the EX35 looks like a shoe from the side. He’s right, it does.

2010 Infiniti EX35 interior

The Numbers

Our higher-end Journey AWD model came in at $42,945 with quite a few options and packages. The Journey AWD starts at $37,400, and you can get into a base model FWD EX35 for $33,800.

Fuel economy could be better – EPA rated at 16 city, 23 hwy. Not abysmal given the power and transmission though. Power comes in at the top of the segment, with its 3.5-liter V6 engine getting 294 hp and 253 ft-lbs of torque.

2010 Infiniti EX35 rear

Before You Buy

For more information and detailed specs on the Infiniti EX35, check out the review of the 2009 model; other than what’s listed above, they’re essentially identical: 2009 Infiniti EX35 Review.

Competing models include the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes GLK350. All are around the same price, have about the same power (though the EX35 beats them all,) and get around the same fuel economy.

Let dealers compete for your business and have the upper hand in negotiations before going into the dealership. Find the Lowest Price on Your New Car at CarWoo Today!

2010 Infiniti EX35 instrument panel

Related posts:

1. 2009 Infiniti EX35 Review
2. 2009 Infiniti G37x Coupe Review
3. 2009 Infiniti M35 Review

Next week, Infiniti is holding an event in Beverly Hills, CA to unveil the 2011 M sedan and talk about the new technology going into it and other upcoming Infiniti models. The event will broadcast live from Infiniti’s Facebook page for anyone to view as they unveil the car.

If you’re interested, definitely mark it on your calendar. Otherwise, press conferences tend to be incredibly boring so you can wait and read about the 2011 M here on Automoblog.net.

Head over to facebook.com/infiniti on Tuesday, December 1st at 7 PM PST for the webcast. If you can’t make it for the live reveal, the Facebook site will have footage watchable afterward too.

In addition to the new M, they’ll be talking about the updated 2010 G with a slightly redesigned exterior and interior, and also a brief update about the 2011 QX SUV.

Related posts:

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3. Infiniti Teases New JX Crossover, “Power of 7″ Campaign

When Infiniti dropped off the EX35 last week, I didn’t really know what to think. The first few times I drove it, I didn’t like it. Something about it was just…off. The transmission didn’t feel right, steering was weird, and it felt too small for its purpose. But after a few days, it hit me. This thing is brilliant!

It does everything right. It’s a perfect vehicle for young couples or small families who need a versatile vehicle that can do anything. It’s easy to drive, has plenty of power, and decent cargo room. Taking a road trip? No problem – the EX35 will carry all your stuff, get you there in a jiffy, and get decent fuel economy on the way. Sunday drive? This thing handles and drives like a sport sedan. It takes the best aspects from both car and SUV, and all but eliminates the drawbacks of each…

The 2009 Infiniti EX35 is pleasant and easy to drive. The steering is very easy at any speed, although the speed-sensitive steering is very noticeable. That’s either good or bad, depending on if you like that or not. Handling is great though – it has very little body roll for its size, and is very nimble through the turns. This is one of the very few small SUVs that you can take on a winding road at high speed and still have fun without worrying about tipping over. Suspension and ride is comfortable, and the 297 hp 3.5-liter V6 is the perfect engine for this vehicle. You always have plenty of power when you need it, and throttle response is very smooth. Fuel economy is average at 16/23 for the AWD model; I averaged 19.7 mpg under aggressive driving.

The EX35′s only transmission is a 5-speed automatic with manual shift mode, downshift rev matching, and Drive Sport mode. It’s a good transmission, but acts a bit like a CVT, which is strange. It holds revs depending on your driving style (that would be the Adaptive Shift Control,) and when it does shift, you don’t feel it. It’s a very refined system that makes the EX35 very smooth and drivable, without any sort of jerkiness or excitement in the shifting.

The interior is top notch, as you’d expect from Infiniti. Our top of the line EX35 AWD Journey model has the $2250 Technology Package, which includes Lane Departure Warning (LDW,) Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC,) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW.) I’m not sold on the Lane Departure System quite yet, as you’ll know if you read my 2009 Infiniti M35 review. The Intelligent Cruise is nice, and the FCW beeps at you if you’re coming up on a car in front of you too fast. I think it applies the brakes as well, but I didn’t test that.

Ours was also equipped with the $2,000 Bose & Navigation Package, which gives you an upgrades 11-speaker sound system, iPod interface, a 9.3 GB hard drive with HD-based navigation, voice recognition, bluetooth, an Around View Monitor (AVM,) and front & rear sonar. The navigation system’s software is good, but has an outdated map and won’t let you use it while moving – a common frustration in built-in nav systems. The iPod interface is nice to have, but does not include a standard auxiliary input for any other type of MP3 player.

The Around View Monitor system is very useful. It puts a camera in front, rear, and on each side of the car, and displays it intelligently on the 7″ LCD display in the dash, giving you a 360-degree view around you. It looks like a birds-eye view of you and your surroundings. I really like this system, and highly recommend it. The sonar beeps at you if you get too close to any other objects. $2,000 is a good deal for upgraded audio, hard drive, navigation, bluetooth, voice recognition, around view monitor, and sonar.

So, the Infiniti EX35 is an all-around fantastic vehicle which perfectly suits the needs of a young couple or small family who has the means to purchase a compact luxury crossover SUV. It makes sense for 90% of the population of my city – Cary, NC (yuppieville,) and even makes sense for me. I could easily recommend most of them buy one, but I wouldn’t get one myself.

Why not? Because it’s so sensible, so…smart. I know that sounds strange, but the EX35 is not made for enthusiasts. It’s a highly versatile small SUV for people who need something that makes their lives easier. There’s no “wow-factor”, but then again there’s not supposed to be. The transmission I talked about earlier – it was strange to me how smooth it was and non-eventful – that’s a good thing for those who will be buying this vehicle. The boosted speed-sensitive steering is great for those people; it makes turning while going 5 mph around a parking lot just as easy as when you’re traveling 70 mph on the highway.

There are only a couple things that the practical side of me didn’t like about the 2009 EX35. First, the brake and accelerator pedals are too close together, causing me to often rub against the throttle while hitting the brake. Second, the rear seating is a bit cramped and overall cargo room is slightly below average for this size vehicle.

It took a few days to grow on me, but the 2009 Infiniti EX35 is a brilliant vehicle after all.

Let dealers compete for your business and have the upper hand in negotiations before going into the dealership. Find the Lowest Price on Your New Car at CarWoo Today!

Vehicle: 2009 Infiniti EX35 AWD Journey
Base price: $37,400
As Tested: $43,035
EX35 Starts at: $33,800

Related posts:

1. 2010 Infiniti EX35 Review – Driving for Dummies
2. 2009 Infiniti M35 Review
3. 2009 Infiniti G37x Coupe Review

Remember the day when a luxury sedan was just a luxury sedan, a sports car was just a sports car, and an SUV was just an SUV? Nowadays, manufacturers are trying to make a vehicle that does everything. We have sports cars that cradle you with luxury features, crossovers that straddle the line between SUV and wagon, and luxury cars that have sports car characteristics. The Infiniti M35 fits right in the middle of the latter description, but so does the BMW 5-Series, Acura RL, and Audi A6, among others.

It’s hard to stand out in a class with blurred lines and so much competition, but that’s exactly what Infiniti intends to do with the M35 and M45 mid-size sedan.

We know Infiniti is no slouch when it comes to keeping their line-up fresh, and the M35 is no exception. For 2009, they upgraded last year’s 275 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 to produce 303 hp, and added two more gears to the old automatic transmission, for a total of seven. The M45 and AWD models (M35x and M45x) keep the same 5-speed automatic, however.

With a car that is both a luxury sedan and sports sedan, you usually get options to lean it one way or the other. Our review model was a M35 S, which means it’s equipped with the $1650 Sport package. This includes a tighter suspension, bigger wheels, stickier tires, sporty seats and trim, rear active steering for better stability, and “unique sport styling,” as they call it.

I had a lot of fun driving the M35; much more than I expected. The car is surprisingly responsive, and handled very tight for a big sedan. The 303 hp V6 under the hood produces plenty of power, which is usually right there when you need it. With the stability control turned off, it’s easy to break the rear wheels loose and have some fun sliding around corners, or ease up on the throttle and let the rear active steering and performance tires do their job, propelling you around turns like you’re on rails. Drive Shift (sport) mode keeps the RPMs high to ensure proper engine response when you need it, and the manual shift mode with rev-match blips the throttle on downshift to ensure you don’t lose revs in the lower gear. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was driving a sports car.

The interior doesn’t let you forget you’re in a luxury sedan, however. Big, comfortable, and infinitely adjustable front seats are heated and cooled, and rear seat passengers have plenty of room. The trunk is as big as most competitors’ trunks, which will fit everything but a bathtub. Standard features include auto on/off HID headlights that pivot when you turn around corners, a power moonroof, Bluetooth, dual climate, intelligent key, and driver-position memory. As with all new Infinitis, the M35 comes with magical self-healing clearcoat paint, which repairs light scratches by itself.

Our M35 came with a 14-speaker 5.1 Bose surround sound system, which is available with the Advanced Tech package. The two speakers embedded in the front seatbacks right behind your ears make any music sound life-like. The touchscreen hard drive navigation system is fast and good, although the maps were outdated, as with most nav systems. A standard RCA (red/white/yellow) connection and available iPod-integration jack (Tech package) give you choices to hook up media, but the lack of a standard 1/8” auxiliary jack leaves anyone using an MP3 player other than an iPod music-less; unless you opt for the 9.3 GB hard drive, which allows you to store your music in the car.

Also included in the Tech package is voice recognition and a rear view camera, while the Advanced Tech package adds Adaptive cruise control, that excellent sound system, and an interesting Lane Departure warning and prevention system. This technology detects when you’re leaving your lane without using your blinker, then beeps at you and applies brakes accordingly to nudge you back into your lane. While this is a great idea in theory, I have troubles seeing how it’s very useful. When I tested the system, I let go of the steering wheel and began to drift out of my lane slowly as if I fell asleep at the wheel. The brakes lightly applied themselves on one side of the car, which pulled slightly back into my lane, then began to drift off again. If I really fell asleep and didn’t wake up to the slight nudge back into my lane, I would have still run off the side of the road and into the ditch.

I have a few other minor complaints about the M35 which should be fixed. While I normally love cooled seats, these didn’t work very well. They made the small of my back very cold, and did almost nothing to the rest of the seat. The center stack controls, while mostly good, are a bit confusing and cluttered. The DVD slot in the center console takes up so much room that the storage space is almost useless. Finally, the rear-view mirror is mounted too high, causing me to scrape my knuckles against the course plastic every time I need to adjust the mirror. It’s worth noting again that there should be a standard auxiliary jack for those brave souls who haven’t bowed to the iPod monopoly, and own a different brand of MP3 player.

The 3.5-liter V6 is plenty powerful, but if you crave more, you can opt for the M45 with 325hp and 336 lb-ft of torque in its 4.5-liter V8. In the near future, I expect the M line to adopt Infiniti’s new 3.7-liter V6 already seen in the smaller G37. This engine produces 330hp, which is higher than the 4.5-liter V8 in the M45, so I suspect that’s why it’s not already available in the M.

Overall, I think the 2009 Infiniti M35 is an excellent car, and does a great job at combining the comfort and convenience of a luxury sedan and the fun-to-drive factor of a sports car. Plenty of space inside and more than enough cargo room make it a capable family-hauler that can be taken on long trips, as well as prove to be fun on curvy roads. Starting at $46,000, the M35 is in the same range as most competitors, and provides loads of standard features and even more available packages for customization.

Competitors:

BMW 5-Series
Hyundai Genesis Sedan
Acura RL
Audi A6

Let dealers compete for your business and have the upper hand in negotiations before going into the dealership. Find the Lowest Price on Your New Car at CarWoo Today!

Related posts:

1. 2009 Infiniti G37x Coupe Review
2. 2009 Infiniti EX35 Review
3. 2009 Nissan Maxima Review

For years, manufacturers such as Lexus, Acura, and Cadillac have tried to beat, or at least take some share away from the BMW 3-Series’ firm grip on the luxury sports sedan/coupe market. None, however have come as close as the Infiniti G35. Some say the G35 even surpassed the 3-Series. I for one loved the G35 Coupe. Fun to drive, great handling, great looking, and the best exhaust note this side of $60K.

But when BMW hit back with the 335i, Infiniti had to come up with something even better – and they did. For 2008, Infiniti released the G37 Coupe. Styling similar to the G35 Sedan which was (at the time) recently redesigned, the G37 contains a larger 3.7-liter version of the excellent V6 powerplant which powered the previous model. Now sporting a naturally aspirated 330hp, Infiniti is back in the game.

We had the Infiniti G37x Coupe – the “x” means that it’s equipped with Infiniti’s Intelligent AWD system. The system keeps the car in RWD until it senses slip, which will allow it to send up to 50% of its power to the front wheels. Our G37x was fully-loaded, equipped with the $1,150 Technology Package, $3,000 Premium Package, $2,200 Navigation Package, $330 illuminated kick plates, and the $1,650 upgraded 18-inch wheels. The Premium package added stuff like a moonroof, upgraded audio, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and Bluetooth, while the Tech package adds Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive front lighting, and front pre-crash seat belts. The Navigation package included a hard drive-based nav system, voice recognition, rear back-up camera, and a 9.3-GB hard drive music system.

New for 2009

Not much was changed for the 2009 model, except for the addition of a seven-speed automatic transmission which replaces last year’s five-speed. Infiniti has also incorporated their new self-healing clearcoat paint to the G37. Don’t go around keying your G37, but the claim is that small scratches in the clearcoat (not the base coat underneath) will heal themselves after a day or two, which will keep your car’s finish nice and clean over time and eliminate those pesky hairline scratches found in all cars a few years old. You might want to contact Nissan about what type of polish to use and how to wash the car as to not ruin that clearcoat.

Also new for the 2009 G37 is the addition of the sedan, which is upgraded from last year’s G35 line, and a long-awaited convertible model later this year.

What We Liked

Infiniti might just be onto something here. The G37 Coupe hits a nice balance between a sports coupe and luxury car. It looks great, but if you’re a long-time reader you’ll know I was disappointed at Infiniti’s decision to design it more like a G35 Sedan with 2 doors, and less like the gorgeous Infiniti Coupe Concept shown at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. The interior is designed well, with sporty curves and aluminum accents abound.

Driving is where the G37 shines. Under the hood you’ll find a responsive and powerful 330 horsepower V6 engine that gets you from 0 to 60mph in just over 5 seconds, and provides an intoxicating exhaust note, which is one of the best sounds out of an exhaust you can get for under $40K. The downshift rev matching feature is cool, and when you get it just right, the throttle blip when downshifting sounds great. The G37 is fun to drive and has excellent grip around turns with its AWD powertrain, but allows to to break loose the rear tires for a couple seconds before the traction control nannies you back into a straight line.

Steering is tight and balanced, and rivals the BMW 3-Series. I never noticed anything about the suspension, which shows that it’s perfectly balanced for both a sporty drive and luxury ride. Comfortable and very bolstered seats keep you in place around turns, and allow lots of adjustability. I also liked that the entire instrument cluster moves when adjusting the tilt & telescoping steering column, which helps to ensure the gauges aren’t blocked by the wheel no matter your height.

The technology on-board was plentiful, such as the adaptive cruise control, which eases the pain of a slow driver in the passing lane. Adaptive front lighting pivots the headlights around turns to increase visibility. The GPS is fast, and allowed easy control over the system which could be controlled via buttons, or touch screen. The on-board iPod integration is nice, but should also have a standard auxiliary jack for other devices.

Ultimately, the G37 is priced below its competitors, offers the same or more power and luxury amenities, making it an overall great value for a sport coupe or sedan.

What We Didn’t Like

Limited interior space hampers the G37 Coupe from hauling more than 2 adults, and the trunk is rather small. Storage space is also at a minimum, as the center console and glove box are both tiny. Regarding media, there is no standard auxiliary jack for MP3 players, only a connector for your iPod and RCA jacks for a video feed. The main controls for navigation, media, and car settings also need some work, as it can be confusing to navigate through the menus.

My main complaint about the car is the transmission. While a 7-speed automatic is otherwise fine for this car, it has problems deciding how it wants to act. It never seems to shift at the right points, and doesn’t adjust to driving style. Too many times I steeped on the throttle and had to wait a few seconds before it kicked in; it doesn’t always have power there when you need it. You can remedy this by switching to the manual mode and shifting yourself, but you shouldn’t have to do that. If that’s the case, then just get the manual transmission, which I imagine would better fit this car anyway. Lastly, at high revs the engine gets windy and complains, which could be fixed with some extra sound dampening under the hood.

Overview

The 2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe is an evolutionary upgrade from last year, and continues to prove an excellent value for those in the market for a sport/luxury coupe or sedan. Here’s the skinny:

You can get a comparable BMW 3-Series – which would be the 335i xDrive Coupe – with AWD, 300 horsepower (30 less than the G37,) same fuel economy, starting at $44,100. The same Infiniti G37 AWD Coupe starts at $38,700. Don’t get me wrong, the 3-Series is a great car, but at least drive both before you make the decision, and don’t let the brand name factor skew your decision.

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Related posts:

1. Infiniti G37 Coupe Prices Revealed
2. Infiniti G37 Coupe – More Details
3. 2008 Infiniti G35 Coupe Sketch

I couldn’t think of a much better successor to the fantastic Infiniti G35 Coupe, which was debuted back in 2003. The Infiniti G37 Coupe will be displayed in showrooms this month as a 2008 model. While I really wish they wouldn’t have changed the design from the original Coupe Concept, the G37 is still a welcome addition.

Prices are as follows:

• Infiniti G37 Coupe (5-speed auto): $34,250
• Infintit G37 Coupe Journey (5-speed auto): $35,000
• Infiniti G37 Coupe Sport 6MT (6-speed manual): $35,550

The Journey model comes standard with Auto on/off headlights, 8-way power passenger seat, Dual HVAC, and an in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

Options:

• Moonroof: $1,000
• Premium Package: $3,200
• Sport Package: $1,850
• Navigation Package: $2,200
• Technology Package: $1,150
• Performance Tire & Wheel Package: $650
• Rear Spoiler: $550
• 4-Wheel Active Steer package: $1,300
• Wood interior trim: $450

The base model has no options, so to step up, you’ll want to upgrade to the Journey or Sport models.

I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually rather disappointed in the G37. I’d rather just pick up a used G35 Coupe. Maybe if they designed it like the original Coupe Concept and had some better options I’d be much more into it, but based on what I’m seeing, Infiniti just isn’t isn’t cutting it this year.

Infiniti G37 Coupe Photo Gallery

Related posts:

1. Infiniti G37 Coupe – More Details
2. 2008 Infiniti G35 Coupe Sketch
3. Infiniti G37 Coupe

One of the interesting aspects of the show was the promotion and display of green technology. Of course with rising gas prices, one would expect for this trend to catch on. A unique exhibition at the NYIAS was the taxicab centennial display. There will be a special posting for this exhibit later on. Now, on to the cars!

Audi showed us the sport tuned version of their new coupe model, the S5. The Audi S5 is based off of the A4 platform and is a hardtop but Audi will eventually release a convertible version by years end. Audi will be using the same 4.2 liter V8 used in the S4 with some updated injection technology for the S5 version. The horsepower rating for the engine is 354hp and will be paired with a six speed manual transmission to Audi’s all wheel drive system.

Now the big question is whether or not the S5 is a BMW M3 killer. My answer would be “no” with a but. The but being that Audi has produced a car that will draw the attention from their opposition.

Subaru debuted their all new Impreza at the NYIAS. The new Impreza is 3.2 inches longer than it predecessor and comes in two body styles. The sedan version of the car returns while a hatchback version replaces the wagon. While the Impreza maintains its overall shape from previous versions, the 2008 model is very different. At the front of the car an all new front fascia and headlights are seen and according to the presenter, “Invokes Subaru’s history of building airplanes”. The rear of the car is very bland and shows how conservative the new Impreza has become.

The interior of the Impreza is a major downgrade from it’s previous incarnations. The WRX still sports a turbocharged engine but it’s basically the current one. One piece of trivia for you Subaru fans, the emblem for Subaru does not represent the constellation Paladin but the 5 division of Subaru’s parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

Hyundai wowed the crowd with its Genesis concept car. The Genesis may be just a concept but it gives an inside look at what the production version will look like and their desire to enter the sports sedan market. Hyundai expects that a Genesis based car to compete with the Mercedes-Benz E class and the BMW 5 series. The concept vehicle has a 4.6 liter V8 which will produce over 300 horsepower and get this, the car is rear wheel drive based.

Hyundai is looking to sell the V6 version of the car well under $30,000 and the V8 version around $35,000. I just hope Hyundai doesn’t sell us short with the quality of components with the interior. Otherwise I would say that Hyundai has a potential winner here.

Infiniti has fully updated the G35 coupe with the G37. There is a sense of much more sophistication with the G37 over its predecessor, the G35. The engine is probably one of the key improvements of the car besides it’s new exterior styling. The engine is now a 3.7 liters, 330 horsepower, and boasts 270 ft/lbs of torque. That is a 30hp increase and 30 ft/lbs of torque decrease over the G35′s power plant.

The G37 also has some interesting hardware available. One being the $1,500 option for four wheel active steering, which allows the rear wheels to turn up to 1 degree. The suspension is based on Nissan’s front midship platform and provides an increase of 36 percent in vehicle rigidity. The interior of the G37 is not much different than the G35 and can be seen in better detail here: Infiniti G37 Interior Comparison

This concludes part one of our review of the NYIAS. Stay tunned for part two where we will present some very nice production cars like the Lexus IS-F, Pontiac G8, and much more. Also, keep your eyes open for our posting on the centennial taxicab display.

Related posts:

1. 2007 Chicago Auto Show Review – Part 1
2. Journey Inside the 2011 Canadian Auto Show Part 2
3. 2007 Chicago Auto Show Review – Part 2

Infiniti Coupe Concept Interior:

2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe Interior:

I understand when companies have to change designs because it was only “proof of concept,” but usually those designs are extreme. The interior on the Coupe Concept was not extreme or even very much more expensive to manufacture. Why they reverted to using the G35 Sedan’s interior I’ll never know, but I certainly would have paid extra to have a really cool interior like the Concept.

Related posts:

1. Infiniti G37 Coupe Prices Revealed
2. 2008 Infiniti G35 Coupe Sketch
3. Infiniti G37 Coupe

The pictures are just rolling in on the Infiniti G37 Coupe and we still haven’t seen the car in person. It will be displayed at the New York Auto Show coming very soon.

Be sure to keep reading for the gallery…

Please keep in mind these are only the newest pictures added to the G37 Gallery. Here is a link to all of the pictures: Infiniti G37 Coupe Gallery

Infiniti G37 Coupe Gallery:

Related posts:

1. Infiniti G37 Coupe – More Details
2. 2008 Infiniti G35 Coupe Sketch
3. Infiniti G37 Coupe

Which one would you choose? Make sure you view the gallery below to see all of the colors. Me? I’m partial to Burnt Orange.

Gallery:

Related posts:

1. Infiniti G37 Coupe
2. Infiniti G37 Coupe Prices Revealed
3. Infiniti to Reveal 2011 M in a Live Webcast – You’re Invited

Official pictures of the new Infiniti G37 Coupe were released, and I must say, I’m rather disappointed. What was once one of the most gorgeous designs in years (the Infiniti Coupe Concept,) has turned into a mediocre refresh of the old G35 Coupe.

Don’t get me wrong, the car isn’t ugly in any sense of the word, in fact I think it’s great looking. It just looks too much like a mix between current G35 coupe and the 2007 G35 sedan, and it doesn’t compare to the Coupe Concept show at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. They apparently decided that they didn’t want a new design, but only a refresh of the old one. While it was a significant improvement, it just doesn’t look as good I was expecting.

Keep reading for more info and Gallery…

Anyway, the G37 will be receiving Infiniti’s new 3.7 liter V6 pushing out 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. IT will feature an advanced 4-Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) system, and a bunch of nifty options including touch-screen navigation and a 9.3 GB hard drive entertainment system with Bose speakers. Expect to see it in dealer showrooms by August. More G37 Pictures.

Infiniti G37 Coupe Photo Gallery:

Related posts:

1. Infiniti G37 Coupe – More Details
2. Infiniti G37 Coupe Prices Revealed
3. 2008 Infiniti G35 Coupe Sketch