Infiniti G35

Infobox Automobile
name = Infiniti G35
manufacturer = Infiniti
parent_company = Nissan


aka = Nissan Skyline 350GT
production = 2003-2008
predecessor = Infiniti G20
successor = Infiniti G37
class = Entry-level luxury car /
Mid-size car
body_style = 4-door sedan
2-door coupe
layout = Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
platform = Nissan FM platform
transmission = 5-speed automatic
6-speed manual
assembly = Tochigi, Tochigi, JapanThe Infiniti G35 is an entry-level luxury car/mid-size car produced by Nissan's Infiniti division from 2002 until 2008. It is known as the Nissan Skyline 350GT in Japan and is available in sedan and coupe forms. The redesigned coupe was renamed the Infiniti G37 after its 2007 redesign, which saw its engine displacement grow from 3.5 to 3.7 litres. The G35 sedan will be supplanted by the G37 sedan, featuring the coupe's engine, for the 2009 model year, marking the discontinuation of the G35 nameplate.

First generation / V35 (2003-2007)

Infobox Automobile generation


name = First generation
production = 2003-2006 (sedan)
2003-2007 (coupe)
fuel_capacity = Convert|75|L|usgal impgal|1
related = Infiniti FX
Infiniti M
Nissan 350Z
engine = 3.5L 190 kW (260 hp) V6
3.5L 210 kW (280 hp) V6
3.5L 222 kW (298 hp) V6
wheelbase = 2850 mm (112.2 in)
length = 4630 mm (182.2 in)(coupe)
4735 mm (186.5 in) (sedan)
width = 1815 mm (71.5 in) (coupe)
1750 mm (69 in) (sedan)
height = 1390 mm (54.8 in) (coupe)
1465 mm (57.7 in) (sedan)The first generation G35 (V35) was introduced to North America for the 2003 model year, as a replacement for the Infiniti G20.

The G35 is based on the Nissan FM platform shared with the Nissan 350Z sports car and Infiniti FX crossover SUV. The G35 was "Motor Trend"'s Car of the Year for 2003 and has been well-received by both the media and customers as a viable alternative to more expensive luxury cars. The G35 was also nominated for the "North American Car of the Year" award that year and was on "Car and Driver" magazine's Ten Best list for 2003 and 2004.

Sporting the ubiquitous (and esteemed) VQ35DE engine, the Infiniti G35 uses a front-midship engine, rear-wheel drive layout (all-wheel drive is available for the G35x sedan) to achieve a 52% front/48% rear weight distribution. Both body styles are available with either a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission, although the automatic is the only transmission available for the AWD sedan.

A 6-speed manual transmission became available in 2003 as a 2003 model on the sedan (the coupe always had the option). For the 2003-04 model years, the V6 produced convert|195|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on and Auto Nm|350|0 of torque in the sedan, convert|210|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on and Auto Nm|365|0 in the coupe. However, owners of various G35 enthusiast groups have shown that the engine in the sedan produces nearly the same amount of power as the coupe. In the 2005 and 2006 model years, those with automatic transmissions (both sedan and coupe) produced convert|210|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on and Auto Nm|365|0 of torque, while those with manual transmissions produced convert|222|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on and Auto Nm|350|0 of torque (again, both in sedan and coupe form). There is speculation that the output did not actually change, and that Infiniti was simply taking advantage of the outdated SAE standard of rating horsepower. The G35 is assembled in Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan, and the first G35 was built on March 12, 2002 as a 2003 model.

The AWD model of the G35 sedan is called the G35x. Although the automatic transmission for the G35x is manufactured by Aisin-Warner, the AWD technology is derived from Nissan's ATTESA E-TS AWD system. The ATTESA E-TS will make the car 100% rear wheel drive when driving at a steady speed. When the driver pushes the throttle to accelerate from a stop or a rolling speed, the AWD system can send up to 50% of torque to the front wheels. When the car's speed becomes steady again, the drivetrain will resume to RWD mode. The AWD system will also transfer torque to the front wheels, if the system detects loss of traction. The decision, and change is made by the ATTESA E-TS system in a matter of milliseconds. This technology was first used in the 1989 Nissan Skyline GT-R, an earlier high-performance version of the Nissan Skyline, the Japanese version of the G35.

There are not many differences between the 2003 & 2004 G35 coupes. Both '03 & '04 6MT models had the option of Brembo brakes and the Performance Tire and Wheel Package. On the 2005 coupes, there were three new colors, 'Athens Blue', 'Lakeshore Slate', and 'Serengeti Sand', replacing 'Twilight Blue', Caribbean Blue, and 'Desert Platinum'. Also, Willow Cloth was removed and Stone interior was available.

2005 refresh

The G35 was refreshed inside and out in 2005. The interior was given sportier gauges with better backlighting and higher quality trim and knobs. Genuine aluminum trim replaces "tinted" interior trim, and the dash and center console layout were revised. Rosewood trim becomes available as a package on the 2005 models. MP3/WMA playback was added to the now standard 6 disc in-dash CD player, and the cassette player was removed across the board. Brembo brakes were removed for the 2005 and 2006 models, and the brakes were redesigned with larger discs and a different caliper design. This was partly in response to a number of complaints about the previous years' brakes, which included a class action lawsuit filed in California related to premature wear on 2003-2004 models [http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/nissan_infiniti_brakes.html Consumer complaints about Infiniti Brakes ] ] [http://www.epinions.com/content_179037376132 " The Improved 2005 Infiniti G35 Still Has Room for Improvement " - 2005 Infiniti G35 - Epinions.com ] ] . A sport-tuned suspension package was standard on all 6MT models, which included a viscous limited slip differential. The 2006 models received minor updates. On the exterior there were new headlights, taillights, spoiler, hood, trunk, body-colored side sills, and front & rear bumpers.cite journal |year= 2004 |month= October |title= Infiniti Announces Pricing on 2005 G35 Sedan and Coupe|journal=Motor Trend |url=http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/112_news041021_infiniti |accessdate= 2008-05-03 ] Bluetooth capability was added to the interior for hands-free phone use. Rear active steering was an option for the '06 coupe.

Stats:
*2005 G35 Coupe
*Engine: 3,498 cc V6 DOHC
*Power: convert|280|hp|kW PS|abbr=on (5AT); convert|298|hp|kW PS|abbr=on (6MT)
*Torque: Auto ft.lbf|270|0 (5AT); Auto ft.lbf|260|0 (6MT)
*Weight: convert|1573|kg|lb|0|abbr=on (5AT)
*0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 5.6 s (5AT); 5.8 s (6MT)
*1/4 Mile (~400 m): 14.2 s (AT); 14.1 s(6MT)
*Top speed: convert|159|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on

econd generation / V36 (2007-2008)

Infobox Automobile generation


name = Second generation
production = 2007-2008
fuel_capacity = Convert|75|L|usgal impgal|1
engine = 3.5L V6 228 kW (306 hp) (sedan)
wheelbase = 2850 mm (112.2 in)
related = Infiniti FX
Infiniti M
Nissan 350Z
Infiniti G37
Infiniti EX
length = 4750 mm (187.0 in) (sedan)
width = 1775 mm (69.8 in) (sedan)
height = 1455 mm (57.2 in) (sedan)
1470 mm (57.8 in) (xAWD sedan)

The G35 sedan underwent a major revision for the 2007 model year. Although the chassis remained unchanged, the latest iteration of the venerable VQ engine was introduced: the VQ35HR. This engine is more powerful, more fuel efficient, and more responsive than the previous VQ35DE. The "HR" stands for High Revolution. Over 80% of the internal components were strengthened or redesigned to handle an increased RPM range, with a 7500 rpm red line. Although the horsepower rating is only 8 more than the previous generation, the real horsepower difference was much more due to the changed SAE guidelines for horsepower ratings in 2007. Infiniti G35 Sedan Journey (Auto) with 306 hp (228 kW) can reach 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 5.4 seconds, and the 1/4 mile (~400 m) 13.8 seconds (according to Consumer Reports). According to the EPA, fuel economy is measured at convert|17|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on in the city and convert|25|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on on the highway. [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?si=false Error Page ] ] Despite an extensive revamp, this is a relatively modest performance improvement over the previous generation G35. According to both Motor Trendcite journal |author= Reynolds, Kim |year= 2005 |month= June |title= Road Test: Rear Drive vs. Front Drive vs. All-Wheel Drive|journal=Motor Trend |url=http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0506_front_rear_allwheel_drive/specs_price.html |accessdate= 2008-05-05 ] and Automobile Magazinecite journal |author= Lorio, Joe |year= 2005 |month= August |title= 2005 BMW 330i, 2005 Cadillac CTS, and 2005 Infiniti G35|journal=Automobile Magazine |url=http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/sedans/0508_330i_cts_g35/index.html |accessdate= 2008-05-05 ] , the 2005 6MT sedan reaches 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 14.1 seconds, giving the 2nd gen a .4 and .3 second edge, respectively. However, this specific comparison carries little weight as it compares a vehicle with an automatic transmission (the 2007 G35 Journey) to a vehicle with a manual transmission (the 2005 G35 6MT). Fuel economy is also virtually identical between generations, with the second generation earning a scant convert|1|mpgus|km/L mpgimp|sing=on edge in highway driving (both measured using EPA 2008 guidelines) [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ratings2008.shtml 2008 Fuel Economy Tests ] ] .

Consumer Reports included the Infiniti G35 in first place on its list of Top 10 cars (upscale sedan category) for 2007 and 2008.

Models:
* G35 - 3.5 L V6, Convert|306|hp|kW|0|abbr=on
* G35 Journey - 3.5 L V6, Convert|306|hp|kW|0|abbr=on
* G35x AWD - 3.5 L V6, Convert|306|hp|kW|0|abbr=on 4WD
* G35 Sport - 3.5 L V6, Convert|306|hp|kW|0|abbr=on
* G35 Sport 6MT - 3.5 L V6, Convert|306|hp|kW|0|abbr=on

uccessor

The 2nd generation G Coupe was called the G37 due to its use of the new VQ37VHR engine. The production version of the G37 Coupe debuted at the New York Auto Show in April 2007, and arrived at dealerships in fall 2007 as a 2008 model. Sedan and convertible were introduced a model year later. There will also be a G37 sedan soon.

References

External links

* [http://paultan.org/archives/2007/03/21/infiniti-g37-features-new-vq37vhr-engine/ Infiniti G37 features new VQ37HR engine]
* [http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/car/112_0301_coyw/ Motor Trend 2003 Car of the Year: Infiniti G35]
* [http://infinitinews.com/infiniti/concept_vehicles/coupeconcept/index.shtml Coupe Concept information site]
* [http://www.infiniti.com/g_coupe/index.html Coupe official site]
* [http://www.infiniti.com/g_sedan/index.html Sedan official site]
* [http://www2.nissan.co.jp/SKYLINE/V35/0511/CONCEPT/main1.html Japanese homepage for the Nissan Skyline (G35)]