This year, INFINITI celebrates its 35th anniversary, a milestone marking over three decades of engineering excellence and bold, distinctive design in the luxury automotive world. We recently revisited the boundary-pushing INFINITI J30, a sedan that exemplified the brand’s early commitment to daring and unconventional luxury. Now, INFINITI takes us down memory lane with another game-changing model: the G Coupe, a luxury performance coupe that redefined driver engagement for the brand and set a new standard in its class.
In the early 2000s, the INFINITI G35 Coupe emerged as a refined yet powerful vehicle, thanks in large part to Hiroyoshi Kato, Nissan’s seasoned master driver who began with the company in 1976. Known for his extensive experience across virtually every Nissan and INFINITI vehicle, Kato was instrumental in defining the G35’s distinct driving character. From his first test drives, Kato and his team envisioned a vehicle that would captivate drivers with a unique combination of responsive handling and exhilarating power—a goal they fully realized with the G Coupe.
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The G35’s engineering secrets started with its “Front Midship” (FM) platform, a setup inspired by Nissan’s racing heritage, including their iconic Le Mans and Group C racing programs. Designed for optimal weight distribution and handling, the FM platform positioned the 3.5-liter V6 engine just behind the front axle. This layout achieved a near-perfect 52:48 front-to-rear weight ratio, allowing the G Coupe to blend dynamic cornering agility with stability. The engineering team’s intention was to enhance front-end grip and response, eschewing the 50:50 balance that other brands favored.
To craft a coupe that truly thrilled, INFINITI’s engineers studied one of their toughest rivals, the BMW 3 Series, going so far as to import models from both Japan and the U.S. for comparison tests at Nissan’s Tochigi proving grounds. However, INFINITI didn’t aim to replicate the 3 Series’ handling; instead, the goal was to deliver a distinctly unique and exhilarating drive, or as Kato put it, a “wow feeling for drivers.” With quick and direct steering response, nimble handling, and explosive acceleration, the G35 Coupe carved its own path in the luxury sports coupe market.
Refining the G35’s handling characteristics required rigorous testing, with Kato personally averaging 100 laps daily at the Tochigi track—around 2,000 miles each week. This relentless dedication allowed him to fine-tune every aspect of the coupe’s steering, suspension, and overall responsiveness. By the time of its release, the G Coupe was not just a car but an embodiment of INFINITI’s commitment to creating an engaging and memorable driving experience.
Late in its life cycle, the G35 introduced a cutting-edge rear active steer system that further enhanced handling by adjusting rear suspension geometry based on speed and steering input. Despite the complexities of the system’s early electronic control devices, Kato and his team were determined to ensure it felt natural and intuitive, allowing drivers to remain fully in control. This relentless pursuit of “human feedback” meant that technology served to amplify, not overshadow, the driver’s connection with the car.
With INFINITI’s official anniversary coming up on November 8, 2024, the G Coupe stands as a testament to the brand’s daring spirit and commitment to its core values: Human, Daring, Forward. These principles have driven INFINITI’s evolution and continue to shape its future as the company embarks on a new era, starting with the all-new INFINITI QX80. As we reflect on models like the G Coupe, we see how INFINITI’s bold vision transformed the luxury automotive landscape—and look forward to its continued reinvention in the years to come.
The legacy of the INFINITI G Coupe lives on, proving that great automotive design isn’t just about specs—it’s about the spirit of innovation and the thrill of driving.
