Infiniti G37 Coupe S Premium Road Test Report

Performance

Like the ’09 model, the revised G37 Coupé is powered by smooth, sweet-sounding V6 petrol engine that pumps out a full 316bhp. With the optional 7-speed ASC transmission this means 0-60 in 5.9 secs and a limited top speed of 155mph. Performance figures are largely academic of course, but nonetheless, the G Coupé’s turn of speed is more than a match for similarly-priced German coupes, including even BMW’s very quick 330i M Sport. Unless you like to rise before dawn to race supercars on the few unrestricted German autobahns still left, then this G37 has all the oomph you’ll ever need, and then some.

Ride & Handling

Though other manufacturers (most notably Honda) have employed 4-wheel steering in the past, Infiniti has revived the concept with its ‘4WAS’ active steering system, and it works well. Up to about 25mph the rear wheels stay in-line while the front steering ratio is increased, from 25-50mph the front steering returns to ‘normal’ while the rear wheels steer up to a max of 1°, and above 50mph the rears do the same while the front steering ratio is slowed. Although all this is imperceptible from the driver’s perspective, the G37 feels exceptionally stable and sure-footed, whether on the motorway or on a twisty B-road. At the same time, the ride is taut but never jarring. Spot on.

Build Quality & Reliability

Nissan’s luxury Infiniti brand hasn’t yet featured in any UK JD Power Customer satisfaction surveys, but US JD Power data shows that it’s a strong performer. Certainly the car I tested appeared flawless in both fit and finish inside and out – on the production line in Japan every car, not just every tenth car, is laser scanned to ensure that panel gaps are within prescribed limits. In addition, the G Coupé’s body is painted with a self-healing paint (really!) and Infiniti’s ‘Total Ownership Experience’ includes a free pick-up and delivery service within a radius of 150 miles from the dealership.

Safety & Security

No Euro NCAP stars to report, but the G Coupé has six airbags including dual-stage front airbags, hip and thorax bags and front-to-rear curtain airbags. Also standard are active head restraints and a pop-up bonnet that in the event of a collision creates a larger ‘cushion’ area between the bonnet and the top of the engine, providing a more yielding surface for unlucky pedestrians. Also standard on the Premium model are: bi-xenon headlamps, ESP, parking sensors, smart access I-Key, tyre pressure monitoring, laser-governed intelligent cruise control and brake assist, and so the list goes on.

Space & Practicality

If you regularly carry adult passengers in the rear, or occasionally over longer distances, then the G37 coupé will not be ideal – the 4-door G37 saloon will serve you better. Space and comfort is exemplary in the coupé’s front seats, and the 275-litre boot should prove more than adequate for two, but legroom is tight in the rear, and headroom even more so. Two kids would be fine in the back, but a larger adult either has to sit sideways and slump, or the front seats have to be moved a long way forward. Put simply, it’s cramped in the back, but it’s no worse than most similarly-sized coupés, and better than some.

Ownership & Value

The G37 Coupé range starts at £32,620 otr, and compared with its most obvious rivals from Germany, even the top spec S Premium is competitively priced at £39,010 otr. In line with Infiniti’s policy, optional extras are few as the car is so well-equipped as standard (inc. the S Premium’s sophisticated Connectiviti+ infortainment package) but options such as the ASC transmission can bump the price up to £41,110, (as with my test car), or beyond. CO2 emissions are nothing to write home about at 248g/km (band L) and a combined fuel consumption figure of 26.7mpg won’t suit everyone’s pocket either, but Infiniti’s Total Ownership Experience should sugar the pill while the car itself does more than it says on the tin.