Vehicle: 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe Sport M6 with High Tech Pkg and 4-wheel active steer pkg
Price as tested: CDN$55350

Performance: Unlike its sedan silibing, G coupe is powered by an upgraded 3.7L V6. With 330 horses, there should be plenty of get-up-and-go for this sports coupe. However, 270 lb/ft of torque arrives at 5200rpm feels a bit disappointing given VQ engine series is designed for low-end torque instead of high revving. Given its 3.7 liter of displacement and 330hp, the lack of torque makes G feels sluggish when taken off-the-line even with the smooth 6-speed stick shift. On the other hand, it lacks Honda DOHC VTEC’s additive character when revving at upper range even with VVEL and CVTCS. Even this latest iteration of VQ doesn’t feel as refine and smooth revving as its less displacement silibings. Given the status of life as a luxury touring coupe, torque is more important than all-out horses in daily driving. Its a pity it neither provides enough torque for low-end nor enough revving for rev-counter screamer. 330 horsepower only serves as a bragging right for salespersons and owners. 5200rpm for 270 lb/ft of torque doesn’t help though.

Handling: G coupe has always been one of the better ones when it comes to dynamic abilities. The latest iteration has got its steering vibration solved, which means you don’t have to feel every patholes and roughness on the road. The steering feel has got it much better. However, it no longer feel as nimble or tossable as its predecessor. It feels more cumbersome and less want to change direction during left-to-right transitions. The sports suspension’s calibration is capable if not aggressive enough for a performance car, especially with 330 ponies. Ride over patholes and washboard pavement are much improved. But still lacks the suppleness found in its German peers.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, G coupe’s pedal feel is decent. Both the stopping distance and pedal feel are much better than expected given its weight, which is a hefty 3668 pounds.

Interior: With a high liftover, swallow cut-off on sides and top, G coupe’s trunk is a joke. Its far smaller than its rivals even with the folding rear seats.

As for the rest of the interior, the use of materials and fit-and-finish are much improved over its poorly-made predecessor. Both the leather and plastic materials have got from crap to average status. That has spoken a lot about the improvements over Nissan’s typical garbage interiors in the last couple of years. Nissan finally put the power seat switches on the right place instead of on the side bolsters. The rest of the interior layout basically mirrors those of the sedan.

Even though the backseat has enough legroom, its sloopy C-pillars have created painful headroom for passengers.

Conclusion: Typical of Infiniti product, G Coupe can still go very fast on straight line if you are at the right gear @ right rev. The rest of the package is a let down. It no longer handles as well as its predecessor, even though the interior has improved. Even though 350Z has less horsepower and 2 fewer seats, you won’t missed anything due to G37’s comical trunk and rear seat space.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3.25/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 2/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 2/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 1/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 2.5/5