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Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
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Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2007 Infiniti G35 by Cordell Koland Infiniti has launched the second generation of its G35 sedan. The headline is that the new sedan has more power and a revised chassis, delivering more speed and an improved structure. And it is definitely more refined than its predecessor. When I first reviewed the original G35 almost five years ago, I made two predictions: First: Nissan's Infiniti division will finally get out of neutral and establish itself as a real player in the luxury division. Second: The G35 will be a success, despite the fact that it targets the highly competitive compact sports sedan class, currently ruled by the BMW 3-Series, but also containing such hot properties as the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Lexus IS300. Both predictions were dead on. It's almost impossible to overstate just how important the G35 has become to Infiniti. It is the company's bestseller. And the new model is off to a good start, enabling the company to post an overall 9 percent pop in sales for the calendar year through May. And while the BMW 3-Series has maintained its status as the segment benchmark, the Infiniti G35 has probably slipped into the number two spot in the hearts of sporty car aficionados. So let's examine the successor. From an exterior view, Infiniti has adhered pretty much to the original template; the changes are minor and evolutionary. But the interior is another story. And if there was one area that needed significant improvement, it was the interior. Gone is the old cheap-looking center console, replaced by a whole new layout that by contemporary luxury car standards is quite usable. The center console is designed around a display that reads out basic interior functions. In general, the materials look better, with the possible exception of the aluminum strip that runs the width of the dashboard. My wife actually thought it was plastic‹not a good visual reference. Fortunately, an optional wood inlay is available. The new G35 is quieter and more solidly constructed. The ride quality is improved, as is sound isolation at highway speeds. The improvements to the chassis give the impression that the new G35 is a more substantial automobile, not just a racer. You can also perceive the benefit of a stiffer improved chassis‹when you hit a bump, there is just one impact, with no perceptible secondary reaction. Most buyers will also appreciate the value story. Our test vehicle, the G35 Sport with manual transmission had a bottom line of $35,600 with options. But with a base price of $32,250, the new G35 probably offers the best value in the segment. Standard equipment included stability control and a limited-slip differential. Other worthwhile features included high-intensity headlights and 18-inch wheels with aggressive tires. The G35 includes all of the interior safety components that one should demand these days, including front- and side-impact air bags, side-curtain air bags and anti-whiplash head bolsters. The $2,350 Luxury package added a ton of extras, but most importantly an upgraded audio system, tilt-and-telescope steering wheel and heated seats. While the G35 tells a nice story in terms of the statistics, somehow, I was a bit disappointed with my drive time. First off, I had difficulty feeling the net effect of the bump in horsepower to 306, no mean number. Despite stomping the accelerator until the engine roared, it just didn't seem to be as fast as some sources have stated‹around five seconds from zero to 60 miles per hour. I had a mixed experience on twisty roads with the G35. Once it's set up, it is capable of holding the road like a python grabs its dinner. But I was a bit disappointed the sporty sedan's ability to communicate the dynamic nuances involved in pushing the car through the curves. Infiniti offers an optional Four-Wheel Active Steer system on the G35 Sport. This technology is said to improve vehicle-handling performance by adjusting the geometry of the rear suspension according to steering input and vehicle speed. Guess I'll wait for the new technology to fully unleash the G35's handling potential. Vehicle:
Infiniti G35 Sport
Price as tested: $35,600 Engine: Type: 3.5-liter V-6 Horsepower: 306 @ 6,800 rpm Torque: 268 lbs.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm Fuel economy, manual transmission City 19 mpg Highway 27 mpg Curb Weight: 3,532 lbs.  Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
