Photograph copyright Guy Spangenberg
Collection Gift Guide: To Infiniti and Beyond
December 1, 2006
Sharing the same basic platform as the Nissan 350Z, the Infiniti G35 is really a sports car in disguise. Its shock absorbers may be more softly dampened and its mannerisms more polite, but deep down, the G35 is a performance machine. Offering more amenities than its sports car sibling—a leather interior trimmed with African rosewood, GPS with voice recognition, and a "Studio on Wheels" sound system from Bose—the G35 is a reliable daily driver for when the exotic is in the shop, or for days when a big sedan is just too cumbersome.
As in the 350Z, the heart of the G35 is the fourth generation of the audience-pleasing VQ-series engine, a 3.5-liter V-6 that boasts 306 hp. Combined with a paddle-shifted 5-speed automatic transmission or a close-ratio 6-speed manual, the G35 is no slouch on the street. A new, stiffer chassis and available all-wheel drive tighten the G35’s grip on the tarmac, creating distinctly Z-like ride behavior and control. Four-wheel active steering is also an option, enabling an even higher degree of handling prowess.
The G35 is Infiniti’s most successful car, making up nearly 40 percent of the luxury marque’s sales in the United States. But the redesigned G35 is likely to attract additional drivers who want sporty auto performance in a comfortable package. And starting at $31,200 for the sedan with a 6-speed manual transmission, the G35 is likely to remain Infiniti’s best seller.
If you seek premium amenities married to serious driving performance in a midsize sedan or coupe, your ride has arrived.
Infiniti
www.infiniti.com
advertisement
