2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe: Beauty Meets Brawn Page 2

While the interior has 90.1 cubic feet of space, the trunk is a bit on the petite side at 7.4 cubic feet.  It has a high liftover and rather small opening, allowing it to contain my 22-inch travel bag and large computer/camera bag comfortably.  There might be space for a small bag of golf clubs, but that would be a tight fit.  The trunk is beautifully finished and holds the G coupe's books, tied down on the left side.

Rear-seat space is also expectedly a bit lacking but access is quite good with a pull on either front seat and a button on the passenger side that allows a rear-seat passenger to bring that seat forward for ingress/egress.  Once in the back, I was pretty comfortable, but then, I'm also quite small!  There are air outlets for rear seat passengers and a pair of cup holders.

Front seat occupants have a pair of glorious leather red-stitched seats that have every manner of power adjustment; Infiniti fits dual memories for the driver.  The sport seats offer fabulous lumbar and lateral support, necessary because this beast just loves to corner hard.  Six-position seat heaters offer every level of comfort.  

Traditional black-faced gauges with interior blue rims, white numbers and pointers adorn the gauge cluster in the 2011 Infiniti IPL G coupe.  The speedometer races to 160 mph and the tach redlines at 7500, just above peak horsepower.  Trip computer access is to the right of the gauge cluster, easy to reach without having to go through the lovely leather-wrapped steering wheel.  The steering wheel has audio and phone functions on the left and cruise control to the right.

The matte aluminum (Infiniti calls it "silk obi") central stack features Infiniti's upward facing navigation controls below a high definition color screen that includes a rear camera.  The analog clock and audio controls lie below that with heating, air conditioning and ventilation controls completing the information.  There's a lighter and ashtray (!) forward of the shifter and dual covered cupholders behind.  

The small and shallow central storage is well-finished with USB and 12-volt access within.  The silk obi aluminum trim continues throughout the cabin and brightens the very business-like look.  Rubber tipped pedals eliminate any slippage.

The hard-drive navigation system has 7-inch touch screen, DVD video playback, 3-D building graphics and bird-view lane guidance as well as speed limit advisories.  The Infiniti "studio on wheels" features 11 Bose speakers and 9.3 GB hard drive to complement the single disc CD player and XM satellite radio.  

The 2011 Infiniti IPL G coupe starts with a push-button ignition and has one-touch windows on either side.  The standard tilt/slide one-touch moonroof glides inside the roof.  Windows dip on entry and exit for a superb seal.  There is dual-zone temperature control and floor mats are standard on this sporting coupe. One can defeat the traction and stability controls with releases to the lower left of the gauge cluster.

The sole addition for this Infiniti IPL G coupe is the brake-pad option mentioned above, moving the list price from $48,875 including destination to $49,195 out the door.  

The 2011 Infiniti IPL G coupe is really, truly a driver's car.  Its intense power is exceptionally balanced, its handling is confidence inspiring, its brakes are world class and all of its high tech items are really quite easy to work, a nice change from the norm.  The interior of this car features intelligent design and it fits just about any body.

With Infiniti's four years or 60,000 miles of basic warranty and roadside assistance, coupled with six years or 70,000 miles of drivetrain coverage, there are no worries for a long period of time - which is just what any enthusiastic driver should want.  And this car, clearly, is one to covet.

© 2011 Anne Proffit