Infiniti has pulled out their arsenal to battle with any other manufacturer that sells a hardtop convertible. Ever since the redesign of the Infiniti G Coupe, the introduction of a hardtop convertible has made perfect sense. The Infiniti G37 convertible is a good-looking machine wrapped in technology, performance and luxury.
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Due to the good weather we’ve recently been experiencing in Florida, we were able to let the top down on several occasions with our Infiniti G37 convertible test vehicle. Not only do you get to have some fun in the sun, but you get to do it in style. The smooth sheetmetal curves of Infiniti’s G makes for one of the best looking cars to come out of Japan in the recent years.
Aimed directly at Lexus ISC (IS convertible), which is also a great looking vehicle, the Infiniti G37 convertible manages to have a leading edge over the IS in terms of performance. The Infiniti G convertible has Nissan’s popular VQ series 3.7-liter V6 engine, also found in the 370Z, that produces 325 horsepower and 267 foot-pounds of torque in the G convertible. That power is directed through either a 6-speed manual as equipped on our test car or a fast shifting 7-speed automatic. The automatic can be shifted manually via magnesium shift paddles mounted on the steering column with the optional sport package.
Enthusiasts can clearly expect certain things from Infiniti vehicles such as one of the best navigation units offered by an automotive manufacturer, and being one of the first to implement new advanced road-safety features. Across the line Infiniti offers these amenities even in their one and only drop-top G.
Our test vehicle was equipped with the Navigation package, which includes 3-D building graphics, streaming audio through the killer Bose stereo system, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, and even a Zagat (Survey restaurant reviews for finding the best eatery along your destination). All of these goodies are controlled either through the touch-screen LCD redundant dashboard controls, or even via the steering wheel mounted buttons. Infiniti has done a great job in giving the driver different options for operation of the many tech gadgets offered in their lineup.
For a convertible vehicle, the Infiniti G37 has an excellent Bose stereo that incorporates headrest-mounted speakers. Since Bose is supposed to be one of the best in the market for directing sound in certain directions thought otherwise to be near impossible, the Infiniti G37 convertible’s sound system is superb.
The many downfalls of a hardtop convertible can also be found in the Infiniti G37 such as limited trunk space and small back seat room, which is only good for a handbag or two. Despite all of the other gripes that you may hear about hardtop convertibles, the Infiniti G37 convertible does not suffer from them. These are things like rattle noises and a clunky operation of the top. The Infiniti G37 convertible feels almost as solid as the coupe version. The front windows go down with the rear-side windows when opening the top and full close-to-open as well as open-to-close time is about average.
On the road, the G37 convertible behaves similar to its coupe counterpart. The difference in the two emerges when you start to push the G to the limit in turns as well as during acceleration. You can feel the extra weight used to reinforce the G convertible along with the hardtop mechanics. Bottom-line, performance is somewhat hindered but it does not completely take away from the excitement you get when you drive any G whether it be the sedan or coupe. The short throw 6-speed manual transmission on our test car has little to do with that excitement factor. 0 to 60mph time in the G convertible is about 6 seconds, a little shy of the coupe’s 5.4 second time.
In terms of handling and styling in a hardtop convertible, the Infiniti G 37 knocks it out of the park. But be prepared to spend a good amount for that type of marriage. Our test vehicle came in at $50,035. You can, however still get a base Infiniti G37 convertible $44,350 but that’s without the tech goodies. All in all, if I had to choose a hardtop convertible luxury sports coupe, it would be the G37 convertible for sure.
Copyright: 2010 AutomotiveAddicts.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: Base G37 Convertible $44,350 As-Tested $50,035
Type: Midsize Convertible
Where Built: Japan
EPA Class: Subcompact Cars
Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 183.3 in. Width: 72.9 in.
Height: 55.1 in. Wheel Base: 112.2 in.
Curb Weight: 4099 lbs. Gross Weight: 5079 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 39.3 in.
Front Hip Room: 53.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 53.6 in.
Rear Head Room: 34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 45.7 in.
Rear Hip Room: 41.6 in.
Front Leg Room: 43.8 in.
Rear Leg Room: 27.1 in.
Luggage Capacity: 10.3 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 10 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 4
Performance Data
Number of Cylinders: 6
Engine Size: 3.7 liters
Engine Type: V6
Horsepower: 325 hp
Max Horsepower: 7000 rpm
Torque: 267 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 5200 rpm
Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 36.1 ft.
0-60mph: 6.0 seconds
Fuel Data
Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Manual: 16 mpg / 24 mpg / 19 mpg
Range in Miles:
Manual: 320 mi. / 480 mi. / 380 mi.
