2008 Infiniti G37S Journey Test Drive
The all-new 2008 Infiniti G37 is a great addition to Nissan’s upscale Infiniti division.
It has chiseled good looks, a 330hp high-performance V6 engine, active four-wheel steering, fully independent four-wheel aluminum suspension, low restriction dual exhaust system, 14in. disc brakes riding on 19X9in. light alloy wheels wrapped with Bridgestone Pontenza tires. Inside you’ll find a sporty yet luxurious interior featuring all the latest in automotive high technology.
The G37 coupes’ advanced performance systems are wrapped in an all-new seductive skin, giving the vehicle a ‘kenetic’ feeling with emotional surface expression, sweeping character lines and tight panel gap lines. All body panels are made of corrosion-resistant high-strength steel with an aluminum hood.
The all-new G37 is longer, lower and wider than before. Exterior highlights include flowing front fender curves, a wave-style hood, expressive front fascia with Infiniti’s signature double-arch grille and L-shaped HID bi-xenon headlights with integrated fog lamps. The strong side character line and side sills integrate with the large flared wheel openings to accommodate the 18in. standard, and 19in. optional performance wheels and tires that transmit an added sense of power. The rear of the G37 features broad fenders flowing into the large LED taillights, a refined rear bumper, integrated Rear View monitor camera, when equipped, rear underbody air diffuser and large dual exhaust tips with chrome finishes. The available rear spoiler gives the G37 zero rear lift, matching the standard zero-lift front aerodynamics. The G37S is sleek and sexy standing still or in motion.
 Power is generated by the new, award-winning 3.7 liter, all-aluminum, and V6 engine with VVEL (variable valve event and lift). This powerhouse V6 engine is rated at 330hp and 270lb.ft. of torque. Along with utilizing a larger displacement than before, the G37 coupe’s new VVEL system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable lift on the intake side to help improve performance and response. The VVEL system is also expected to improve emissions and fuel economy. The VVEL intake camshafts, featuring continuously variable lift control teamed with the continuously variable valve timing control system to allow a high 7,500rpm redline. The engine also features increased cylinder block height, ladder frame construction for greater rigidity, large crank journals and pin diameters, asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, an electronically controlled drive-by-wire throttle system, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, Iridium spark plugs and a symmetric twin air intake system. A new specially tuned dual exhaust system was designed with equal length exhaust manifolds and low muffler exhaust backpressure to help improve engine breathing. Both intake and exhaust enhance driving pleasure with their authentic performance notes.This high-output V6 engine is mated to a choice of an upgraded electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, downshift rev matching, DS mode and ASC (adaptive shift control), that allows for quicker shifts in sport driving situations and available genuine magnesium paddle shifters. The standard revised, short-throw, lightweight 6-speed manual transmission is smooth and quick in operation. Either choice is easy to operate with power coming on strong, from low revs, right up to redline. It is a great feeling when just a little tap with your foot quickly pushes you back into your seat.With 330hp at your disposal for great acceleration, the unique suspension and steering only makes the ride and handling more fun, exciting and enjoyable.
Precise steering control is provided by a twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensing design, which provides optimum steering effort at both high and low speeds. You’ll experience an excellent feel for the road and quick response to your inputs, just like a racecar. Standard is the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) which assists in enhancing vehicle stability under a variety of driving conditions. Also available is Infiniti’s exclusive 4-Wheel Active Steer system (4WAS). With unique chassis configuration that features automatically variable front steering ratios and rear suspension geometry that adjusts to steering input and vehicle speed via motor-driven controls. The system’s electronic control unit calculates the desired vehicle dynamics from a series of sensors, including vehicle speed and steering angle, and separately directs both the front and rear actuators to change steering gear ratios and rear geometry by moving both front steering gear and rear suspension lower links-thus providing sports-car like agility and secure stability. It really works as I felt as if I was driving a more expensive sports car or racecar. The G37S sticks to the road like you are on rails with no squealing noise from the tires as they perfectly meet the road surface. Outstanding braking performance quickly and safely slows the new G37 down from speed. Standard are 4-wheel vented discs enhanced with 4-channel 4-sensor ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake-assist. The standard G37 comes with 13in. front and rear rotors clamped with twin-piston calipers up front, and single-piston calipers in the rear. The G37 coupe Journey Sport and 6-speed manual Sport includes 14in. front and 13.8in. rear discs clamped with 4-piston calipers in the front, and 13.8in rear discs clamped with dual-piston calipers. Both front calipers are embossed with Infiniti lettering. Working with the brake systems is Infiniti’s optional Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with Preview Braking, which provides a precise following distance from the vehicle ahead. It also identifies sudden braking situations with laser sensors to determine distance and relative speed of the vehicle ahead in the same lane and ‘pre-pressurizes’ the brake assist system before you step on the brake pedal. You can determine the brake distance of the traffic ahead, then you click in the speed that you want to go from the steering wheel mounted buttons. A new 18in. wheel and tires package is standard and features 18X8in. split, 5-spoke, aluminum-alloy wheel design with 227/50VR18in. all-season radial tires. The new optional 10-spoke 19X8.5in. lightweight cast aluminum wheels are wrapped with Bridgestone Pontenza 225/45R19in. front, and 245/40R19in. rear tires that really grip the pavement and also give a very compliant ride over poorly paved surfaces. The optional limited slip differential also enhances getting all the power and torque to the pavement for increased acceleration. The all-new G37S rockets out to 60mph from a standstill in just 5.0sec. The rocket-sled acceleration and razor-sharp handling ability are on par with sport coupes costing thousands of dollars more. I enjoyed every minute that I spent behind the wheel of the G37S.
You grip a sporty, 3-spoke, double-hand-stitched, leather covered steering wheel that tilt and telescopes for the perfect angle. Available are genuine magnesium paddle shifter for the 5-speed automatic that are real easy to use.
Options include a 11-speaker Infiniti ‘Studio on Wheels’ Surround-Sound system by Bose combining 3-way door speakers using 10in. woofers, power sunroof, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, new touch screen navigation system, front adaptive HID headlamps, rear-view TV monitor, and a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive with compact flash drive slot. The all-new G37 is one of the safest sport coupes to be driving coming standard with-dual-stage supplemental airbags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor up front, front-seat side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side-impact curtain airbags for front-and-rear seat occupant head protection. Also standard are 3-point seat belts up front with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors, drive and front passenger knee bolsters, front seat active head restraints and LATCH system for children. Optional is brake operated pre-crash seat belts with motion sensor on the brake pedal. The lightweight yet very strong steel unit-body construction features front and rear crushable zones to help disperse crash energy around the passenger compartment. The engine is designed to move under the occupant compartment in a high-speed frontal collision, while a breakaway construction of the propeller shaft (connected with the engine-drop function) and the double-wall construction of the bulkhead helps to minimize cabin deformation, especially in the lower leg area. In addition, the brake pedal is designed to collapse to help reduce lower leg injuries in a severe crash. The all-new 2008 Infiniti G37S is one of the best sport coupes that you can drive. It comes with a dual-personality of unique aggressive styling, a 330hp high-output V6 powerplant, crisp, smooth shifting up or down the gears with either the automatic or manual, a suspension that gives you extra-ordinary, razor-sharp handling, super-strong brakes to maintain your control while sitting inside a comfortable and luxurious cockpit with sporty touches that is on par with more expensive sport luxury coupes. I really enjoyed the ride and I’m sure that you will too. ALL NEW 2008 INFINITI G37S JOURNEY SPORT COUPE
COPYRIGHT:2008:HARVEY SCHWARTZ – EDITOR, AUTOMOTIVE ADDICTS
Price MSRP: $35,000 Invoice: $32,184 Type: Midsize Coupe
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensions 
Like AutomotiveAddicts.com? Like Us on Facebook!
You may also subscribe by e-mail and get free updates in your inbox. We do not spam or share your email address and it is completely free!
jamiouyt on Fri, 18th Jan 2008 10:10 pm
Sweet car. better quality this time arround for nissan. im getting one of these def. thanks for the cool test drive!
Mary on Thu, 6th Nov 2008 8:49 pm
I have a 2004 Nissan 350-Z and love it so much that I bought a new G-37S to go with it. The G-37 is beyond awesome! It is quick, ride is very smooth and it practically drives itself. I also looked at Lexus, BMW 335i and a Mercedes. They were all more expensive and I liked this one the best. It was pretty much a no-brainer! Nissan cannot be beat! They have a real winner with this car. Don’t test drive one unless you are prepared to buy one-You will NOT be able to resist!