Ok Guys, I know this is a dead and buried horse, but I was watching and old version of Top Gear and something came to mind.

First off, let me say that I'm not buying the safety door reinforcement story for the justification of the stupendous weight increase from the previoius gen G.

Here is my theory - Infiniti is hiding something - kind off!

There are two things I don't get about the G37. Why it's clearance and weight is so high. I believe that these were both done to accommodate future variations.


The clearance is there to accommodate an AWD systems and the extra weight is the necessary reinforcement needed to accommodate a convertable model.

What do you think? Is this plausible or am I smoking crack!

 

I think your observations are spot on. There will definately be a convertible and an AWD in the near future.

 

Sounds plausible for the AWD part of it.

 

I am not sure how accurate that is but that would sound like a reasonable explanation.

 

this sounds reasonable... i never did buy the "extra weight for safety in the long doors" bit. i mean hell, the G35 coupe doors were the same damn size.

plus, i don't really buy that much extra weight in the "increased structural rigidity" as this is mostly handled in extra welding points.

 

And with AWD comes twin turbos and over 400 HP and mid-300's ft-lb of torque? This should be Infiniti's answer to the GT-R and IS-F/Audi S5/M3?

 

Naw, you're not 420. Everything is possible, especially AWD. Not quite sure about a convertible G, but again, everything is possible .

 

AWD and convertible are probable (BMW has them and Infiniti wants to be just like them).
Higher hp is possible (again BMW does it and Nissan will have the motor for it very soon).

But none explain the high ride height and extra weight in my book.

They could always add the extra bracing/etc. for the future models. They would certainly engineer the easy additions for them now, but they would not need to implement them until the new models came out, so might as well save the pennies on the current car.

I think Infiniti did everything they could think of to isolate the driver and give a smoother/quite ride to combat the "rough and unsophisticated" complaints of the last model -- in complete disregard of weight.

Because of this new "luxury first" attitude, I can see the AWD soon (for winter driving) and probably a convertible (for warm weather cruising), but not so sure on the M3 competitor yet. Too expensive without the brand (or racing history) to back it up yet.

BMW can charge near Porsche prices because they have a similar racing history and brand cache to Porsche (even close track times). Even if Infiniti could develop M3 levels of performance for cheaper, it might not sell at all. At that level, it is mainly about bragging rights at the country club. And there, brand image and racing history has more impact than stats in a magazine.

Heck, I am not even sure the RS4 is selling all that well as they are only built to order and sales figures aren't broken out for the RS (from what I understand). And Audi has much better brand recognition and racing history than Infiniti.

Now, a GT-R has a great name and racing history (even if it is in a different country)--and the hard-core can appreciate it and find the value in the price. This doesn't mean it would translate over well to Infiniti sales though.

As much as I think it would be a great car (and it would), I am not convinced it will sell well yet. And that is what the determining factor will be for Infiniti.

 

I know if Infiniti were to offer a high performance version of the coupe with the right performance/luxury/price ratio, I'd be ugprade my car? I might be in the enthusiast minority, but I've got to think that the fact that the G37 has been the best selling coupe in it class and has set the benchmark (From a sales perspective), there should be room for a higher end vehicle

 

You may be on to something with the weight issue, but I still think even in this version the weight is handled well. You can still toss it around when you want and it just flies down the expressway straight as a bullit with terrific road manners. I took a 450 mile round trip yesterday on mostly interstate and at 80 it is solid, quiet and comfortable.

 

If that's true the G37 convertible and the AWD will be barges. In the case of the AWD it is the extra components in the drivetrain that add weight. In the case of the convertible it is the extra power top motor, track etc as well as additional frame bracing and so on.

Therefore I don't see your theory being correct as all of these things will significantly more weight to the existing model. The X wold be another couple of hundred pounds and the vert another 350-400.

 

I think maybe it is the extra sound deadening material? Maybe the wheel's too (weight unknown as of now), some upgraded motor components, the list can go on. I think like someone stated above, why "prep" the G37 now, for stuff it'll never have on it now. I mean, When/if the AWD comes out, they then would "redesign" and add/subtract what was necessary to make the AWD work, same goes with the rag-top. Unless they came out with all several G37 versions now, I don't think they would of found it necessary to "over accessorize(sp)" the G37 for something that you could never add on

It's like Audi saying, We have the S4, and the A4, The A4 will have the V8 that the S4 does, but it will only use 4 cylinders out of the 8 available. To use the other 8, Buy the S4.

Get what I'm trying to say?

 

Lets hope with AWD (G37x ?) they let you get a sport... or sport package. Cuz i think on the sedan if u get a X then u dont get SPORT options.
Was a bummer.... correct me if i'm wrong here... canuck. =p

 

What's with the ride height comments?

How does the ride height of the G37 compare to the G35 coupe?

 

It's just a little bit higher if I remember correctly (the g37). Which isn't all that bad with how the speed bumps are starting to turn out these days. But still, slam that bich!