2010 Infiniti G37 Coupe AWD: “effortless exhilaration, intense seduction”

By Denis Flierl

Denis Flierl

Contributing Writer BIO

Denis Flierl is a Denver native and has a passion for automobiles. His extensive automotive background includes racing, 13 years in automotive... More

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4,258 views Apr 23, 2010

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The Infiniti G37 is a great place for performance minded buyers to look for a sporty, fun coupe. Essentially it is a luxury version of the Nissan Z with similar driving dynamics. The engine in the G37 is more powerful than that of many competitors, and it's tuned for the sort of response and excitement that enthusiast drivers prefer.

The G37 is powered by Nissan's 3.7-liter V6, an engine with a distinctive sound that puts out a lot of power. The Coupe AWD ($39,150) is equipped similarly to the sedan, though its engine delivers more power: 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The G37 is a rear drive car, which delivers handling characteristics front-wheel drive cars can't usually match. The coupe is available with a six-speed manual transmission; mine came with the new seven-speed automatic, tuned for sporting response.

The coupe's 330 horsepower is a lot to get out of a V6, and it ranks right at the top of the G37's class. The engine features the latest in technology, including Infiniti's VVEL, for Variable Valve Event and Lift. This hydraulically-controlled variable valve timing system improves not only performance, but also fuel efficiency.

There's a slight increase in fuel mileage in cars equipped with the automatic transmission. EPA ratings increase 1 mpg City and 2 mpg Highway, to 18 City/25 Highway for those with all-wheel drive. The mileage improvement comes primarily from the new seven-speed automatic, which has two more gears than the previous generation. This allows for quicker acceleration, and with a higher overdrive gear, that means lower engine rpm’s and less noise at highway speeds.

The coupe is the sportiest G37 of all the models. Mazda redesigned the chassis to be lower, a bit more solid, and with a slightly wider track, all translating to a suspension that provides high-performance handling. The performance suspension in the coupe does give it a stiffer ride than the sedan. 

My coupe came with the all-wheel drive option. Infiniti says the ATESSA E-TS system monitors data such as wheel spin, throttle position and vehicle speed, and automatically diverts up to 50 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels, improving traction and control when road conditions are less than optimal. In ideal conditions, the all-wheel drive system sends all of the power to the rear wheels, preserving the sporty rear-drive handling characteristics. The G37x's AWD has a snow mode that electronically tempers throttle response, reducing the amount of power the engine delivers for a given movement of the gas pedal.

For 2010, changes are limited to options like a new navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and an air purifier. The two-door G37 Coupe looks racier than the sedan, and was redesigned completely in 2008. Its instrumentation is first rate, and its climate, audio and navigation systems are easy to understand and control. Rear seat legroom is very restricted though, and two adults would not be comfortable in the coupe's back seat for long trips.

Options include the Premium Package ($2,900) which includes a moonroof, the 11-speaker Bose Studio on Wheels audio system with iPod connection, driver's seat memory, a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and a rear sonar system.

The Navigation Package ($1,850) is touch-screen and voice-activated, with detailed information on traffic ahead, using XM radio and includes a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive with compact flash drive slot, and the rearview video monitor.

The Technology Package, ($1,150) essentially a collection of safety features, includes Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), which maintains the gap to the car in front, Preview Braking to pre-load the brake system in advance of a potential collision, and rain sensing windshield wipers.

The Infiniti G37 is Infiniti's entry in a highly competitive category that includes the Audi A4 and 5, Acura TL, Mercedes C-Class, and BMW 3 Series. The G37 coupe is definitely competitive, with new styling, comfortable, well-equipped interiors and handling and power on par with the competition. The G37s also offers very competitive pricing when compared with similar equipped models.