2003 Infiniti G35

The Sleeping Samurai has Awakened

By Lou Ann Hammond

COMPETING MODELS
Acura TL
Audi A4
BMW 3-Series
Chrysler 300M Special
Lexus IS300
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Jaguar X-Type

I’ve always thought of Japanese people as being stoic and stalwart. Infiniti, more than the other Japanese car makers, built their cars to match that description. Previously, Infiniti survived in America on high customer satisfaction ratings with the dealer service and the fact that the cars are built well. The curtain has come up, enter stage right, the 2003 Infiniti G35. Japan’s coveted Nissan Skyline four-door has been transplanted to the U.S., complete with its race-honed hardware and a few luxury accoutrements.

The Infiniti G35 has melded the meditative stoicism of a Samurai with the sexiness of a sports car. According to Jack Collins, VP, marketing, "The G35 showcases Infinitis styling direction, class leading performance and advanced technology. The G35 will make Infiniti a very aggressive player in a very competitive luxury sports sedan segment".

This is the first time I have heard a mid-size luxury car Manufacturer make torque as important as horsepower. And it is. Most other cars in this class average about 220hp and somewhere around 200-225 torque, while this "G-force", rear-wheel drive car gives 260 hp @ 6000 RPM, 260 lb-ft of torque @ 4800 RPM. The only two that come close are the Acura TL and the Chrysler 300M Special (and only 8,500 of them will be made). The G35 has the highest torque/weight ratio, making the G35 the fastest sport sedan for less than $30,000. For now, there is only one transmission available: a five-speed automatic with a sequentially shifting manual mode. The G35 earns an estimated 19/24 city/highway EPA fuel mileage rating. A six-speed manual transmission will likely

2003 Infiniti G35 cockpit

The four-door G35 comes in just one designated trim level, though there are a few options and packages available. Most of the major features are standard. Included in these options are automatic climate control, one-touch auto up-and-down front windows, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, keyless entry and a rear-seat trunk pass-through. Getting a G35 with leather trim adds leather seating, of course, as well as an eight-way power driver seat, 17-inch wheels, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and illuminated vanity mirrors. All G35s come standard with antilock brakes with brake force distribution and brake assist, side airbags, head-protecting side-curtain airbags, and front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters. Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), a stability control system, is also standard.

The newest in design is the power seat switch located near the center console, similar to the new BMW 7-series layout, making it easier to find and adjust. My hand still reaches for the bottom side of the seat, even though my mind knows this is a more logical placement. My favorite option is the pop-up tiltable navigation system. It pops-up, hiding Infiniti’s marque analog clock. Before you become distressed, remember this was built by the Japanese. Twenty-five years ago I bought a hair dryer in Akiabura, Japan that could be held in the palm of my hand and was only an inch thick. Yamashita-san, the same person that designed the old "Z", most have spent quite a bit of time in Akiabura. The littlest details were thought of, including a digital clock in the right top hand of the navigation system.

Infiniti didn’t stop with a reknowned designer. Mizuno-san, former head of LeMans and Group C racing efforts for Nissan, developed the G35 platform. The G35 utilizes Nissan’s new FM platform. FM stands for "front-midship," which refers to

2003 Infiniti G35 popup navigation display

Infiniti also boasts about the car’s advanced multilink and fully independent suspension. Thanks to a long wheelbase, the G35 offers a spacious cabin. The passenger compartment measures 101.4 cubic feet, with ample amounts of front-and-rear head room, legroom and shoulder room. Thanks to the fuel tank layout, positioned under the seat, the trunk is also quite large at 14.5 cubic feet. Wind noise is minimal thanks to a low (0.27) coefficient of drag, and this figure can be reduced even further with the optional Aero package. The real evidence that this car was designed by a race car driver are the brakes. Stiff calibers and aggressive pads finish off that sports sedan feel. As a colleague and I went around a particularly sharp curve I could feel the tension mount when I didn’t seem to depress the brake as hard as one usually does. I didn’t need to. The brakes are smooth and easy to gauge. Armed with the Sport package, 17-inch wheels and 215/55VR17 tires, the G35 offers some of the most capable and enjoyable handling in this class.

Infiniti knows the G35 needs to be a winner. They cut their way to profits, the next step is toincrease sales. They spent a lot of time and money in the research and development for the platform of the G35. It will be the platform of cars to come for Infiniti. If the G35 is an indication of what is to come.

2003 Infiniti G35 Specifications