2003 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe

Remember Renaults, Peugeots and Citroens? If you don’t, you’re not alone. The French haven’t exactly been famous for their automotive genius. It therefore strikes me as more than a little ironic that so many remarkable changes in Nissan’s lineup have occurred since Renault bought a chunk of the Japanese carmaker and began hands-on collaboration. An international marriage-made-in-heaven, it would seem.

One thing the French definitely understand is style and Nissan is silly with it these days. What more stunning example is there than this new Infiniti G35 coupe?

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of reviewing Nissan’s revived and revised two-seater, the 350Z and, now, its elegant cousin. The two sport coupes have much good in common, as well as key ingredients that distinguish one from the other.

The Good News
Whereas the Nissan 350Z is a deliberately macho two-seater hatchback, the Infiniti G35 coupe is a luxurious, four-seater coupe. The additional space for the G35’s relatively reasonable back seat comes from its stretched 112.2-inch wheelbase, longer than the Z’s but equal to that of the G35 sedan. In overall length, the G35 coupe exceeds the 350Z by 12.6 inches.

That same extended wheelbase, along with softer springs, also affords the G35 coupe a more civilized ride than the Z, but doesn’t dampen its sports coupe spirit much – amazingly. The G35 feels balanced in all situations and remains flat in the curves.

Maybe it’s because I expected less of an Infiniti coupe tricked out for luxury than a 350Z born to run, but I found this G35 delivers generous amounts of fun if you’re inclined to push it. Both handling and acceleration on this rear-wheel-drive coupe respond willingly when pressed, but the luxury part of its makeup render the everyday driver comfortable, too. It’s alluring without being intimidating.

The engine is the same 3.5-liter V6 used in the 350Z, producing 280 horses @ 6200 rpm and 270 lb-ft torque @ 4800 rpm (as opposed to 287 hp/274 lb-ft in the Z). The G35 comes standard with the six-speed manual transmission, but, alas, mine had the 5-speed automatic with manual shift mode. This makes the second opportunity I’ve missed to test this platform’s real potential, given that my Z also had the automatic. But, all things considered, I can’t honestly say it ruined my day, either. Independent tests with the six-speed clock 0-60 in 6.0 seconds; the quarter mile in 14.6.

As for looks, I find this G35 coupe a dazzling beauty. Its assertive posture and overall shaping is somewhat less muscular and menacing than the Z, yet no less compelling. In the front, for example, the G35 sports the Infiniti insignia centered on a tasteful grille where the Z plants a gaping, ground-level air intake.

Inside, the G35’s leather-lined interior mimics that of its sedan partner. The Z’s industrial metal feel is replaced by softer, monochromatic details. Ritzier but still sporty. Luxuries are loaded in, and excellent safety measures surround you.

And perhaps the best news of all for those whom I suspect make up the core of this coupe’s target market: the G35’s 8 cubic feet of trunk will hold two golf bags. I know. I was skeptical, too. But there’s actually a little placard attached in the trunk to show how it’s done. Not having a bag (much less two) handy, I have to take their word for it.

The Bad News
I could complain that the buttons for the seat adjustments being placed next to the center console goes against tradition and is a nuisance, but I assume one would get used to that quickly.

And I could point out that anyone over 5’10” isn’t going to like the backseat. But it’s still better than that of most coupes, so that’s relative.

Or I could wish for a slightly richer exhaust note.

But in all cases, I would be digging more deeply than this G35 deserves.

Gas mileage
EPA rated at 19 mpg city/26 highway

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $31,400;
Price as tested, $36,265

Is it worth it?
The Infiniti badge destines this G35 to compete most directly with coupes from Acura and BMW, other coupes being either less sporty or far pricier. In that realm, this G35 stacks up very well. These other coupes offer their own specific merits which some will prefer. But dollar for dollar, feature for feature, this Infiniti compares impressively.

What’s more, the G35 doesn’t come off simply as somebody’s idea to plug a hole in the lineup. It comes off as a very good idea in every way, a truly lovely sports coupe that combines the practical with the sensual at a price that doesn’t reserve it for the select few. As my 8th grade French teacher might say, “Tres bien fait, Nissan. Tres bien fait.”

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville's daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.