This one is from Bloomberg News

Infiniti's New G37 Coupe Is a Lot Hotter Than You Thought: Cars
2007-10-09 00:02 (New York)

Review by Jason Harper
Oct. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Despite Infiniti's latest ``Intensity
Captured'' ad campaign, I don't normally think of the brand in
terms of sports cars. Nice sedans and horizon-blotting SUVs,
sure. Yet when thoughts turn to carving up the asphalt, my inner
voice takes on a more Germanic or Italian accent.
Good news for Infiniti: Your ad agency got it right.
Or, rather, your engineers did. The 2008 G37 coupe is a
refinement of the G35, which had a five-year run, and it's a
surprisingly direct and unpretentious auto. (The latest V-6
engine is bumped up from 3.5 liters to 3.7, hence the change in
the name -- what must pass for wit among car engineers.) The
fellows in white coats set their mark on an affordable two-door
with a spirited drive, and the G37 is that car.
If this coupe were a car salesman, it would give you a firm
handshake and never try to sell you the undercoating. It's
confident in itself and what its driver wants to do with it.
There's a real charm to that.
Which is also to say that it's not a luxury car. It isn't
looking to play in Lexus-like comforts. The test car I'm
driving, made in Tochigi, Japan, has a very modest base price of
$35,000. The only added amenities are the $1,850 sport package,
which includes performance tires and 19-inch wheels, a limited-
slip differential and heftier brakes, and a small rear spoiler
for an extra $550.
What my test car doesn't have: a sunroof, GPS navigation or
satellite radio (all available options).

Nice Rumble

Which leaves me free to direct my attention to qualifying
the grittier stuff like the sound of the 3.7-liter V-6 (nice
gurgling rumble), the surge of low-end torque (270 pound-feet)
and the pleasure of flying down the highway when you let the
horses out of the corral (330 of 'em).
I've risen really early on a Sunday morning to avoid
traffic and run the four tires as hot as I'd like on the highway
and winding back roads. By noon I've confirmed that it is indeed
a rollicking good time.
My test car has a five-speed automatic transmission that's
one of its better pleasures. (It's also available as a six-speed
manual.) The paddle shifters are attached to the stalk, so they
don't move as the wheel is turned; still, they're long enough so
a pinky or index finger can find them even when you've got the
wheel turned all the way to lock.
The paddles have a feeling of substance to them, lending a
firm ``clunk'' when you upshift. The car also matches the rev on
downshifts -- proving the engineers really were concentrating on
the important stuff.

Stable on the Curves

Steering is firm, though I would prefer more road feedback.
And the surpassingly neutral chassis is a delight. It settles
back down even in a series of quick left- and right-hand turns.
This makes serpentine roads a wonder. For a sticker price in the
mid-$30K range, it doesn't approach a Porsche level of handling
refinement and feels a bit hazy at the outside extremes, yet
it's definitely in the hunt.
The side profile is the most successful. Clearly a
refinement of the G35, it has a strong top line and a fast-
sloping roof. The front is more muddled: The swept-back
headlights have lots of speedy personality, yet the other
elements are all over the place. And I seriously dislike the
back: There's too much junk in the trunk (though actually open
it and you'll find precious little space for junk at all).

Midget Passengers Only

Similarly, if you have a rear passenger, turn up the stereo
so you won't hear the complaining. The roof's severe slope means
the rear headroom is only sufficient for the Headless Horseman -
- anyone else will have to painfully tilt his or her head.
The seats are fine up front, though, with nicely stitched
leather. It's a handsome interior, with brushed-steel accents on
the center console and the inside of the doors. You'll find cost
savings in some of the fit and finish and smaller parts, yet
they're well blended.
A real problem is the blind spot on the driver's rear left
side. The pillar blocks the over-the-shoulder view, and the side
mirror doesn't provide sufficient coverage. In this day and age
of safety concerns, it's not acceptable. I make left-hand lane
changes with trepidation.
When it's time to head back home to brunch, I feel like
I've earned my omelet and Bloody Mary. I've had a fine morning.
Does the G37 have the panache of one of its German
competitors? (You're asking, so I'll address it.) Well, it isn't
a BMW, yet that's more than OK. The G37 has its own look and
driving feel. It's marvelously unconflicted about its purpose.
You might say it's comfortable in its own metal skin -- and
chances are you'll be, too.

The 2008 Infiniti G37 at a Glance

Power: 3.7-liter V-6 with 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet
of torque.
Transmission: 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual.
Speed: 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds.
Price as tested: $38,015, including destination charge.
Best features: Overall fun drive, with excellent suspension
and a fine automatic transmission.
Worst features: Left-hand blind spot; that big ol' rear
end.
Target buyer: The driver who wants a well-centered sports
car without draining the bank account.

 

darn that rear end...
Overall, happy to hear!