Infiniti G35

The Infiniti G35 is the compact luxury sedan from Infiniti. Available as a coupe and sedan, the G35 offers a rear-wheel drive sports car experience for less money than comparable near-luxury vehicles. The model is equipped with a powerful, award-winning V6 engine (named to Ward's 10 Best Engine list for four consecutive years) and all of the other amenities you’d expect in a luxury car.

The Infiniti G35 was introduced to North America in the 2003 model year. It is known as the 11th generation (V35) Nissan Skyline in Japan, and other names elsewhere in the world. The G35 is available in sedan and coupe, and rumors of a roadster have been the works for some time.

A 6-speed manual transmission became available in 2003 as a 2003.5 model on the sedan (the coupe always had the option). For the 2003-04 model years, the V6 produced 260 horsepower and 260 ft·lbf of torque. In the 2005 and 2006 model years, those with automatic transmissions (both sedan and coupe) produced 280 horsepower and 270 ft·lbf of torque, while those with manual transmissions produced 298 horsepower and 260 ft·lbf of torque (again, both in sedan and coupe form). The G35 is assembled in Tochigi, Japan, and the first G35 was built on March 12, 2002 as a 2003 model.

The G35 is based on the Nissan FM platform shared with the Nissan 350Z sports car and Infiniti FX sport utility vehicle. The G35 was has been well-received by both the media and customers as a viable alternative to more expensive luxury cars.

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%/48% 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. The all-wheel drive model is designated the G35x and uses an Aisin-Warner intelligent AWD system that shifts power to the wheels with the most grip. The coupe model G35, introduced a year after the sedan, was given a boost in power in 2005. Buyers could choose from 280 or 298 horsepower. This extra 18 horses was a manual-transmission exclusive option, not available to automatic transmission buyers.

See Wikicars' '''Infiniti G35 Review Page.



Recent Changes

 * The 2009 LA Auto Show played host to the unveiling of the the G37 sedan's first mid-cycle facelift.

Styles and Major Options
Currently, there are 5 different trims available of the Infiniti G35:

G35 Sedan

 * 3.5L V6 engine with 270 horsepower
 * 7-spoke, 17 x 7.0-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
 * 5-spoke, 18 x 7.5-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (OPTIONAL)
 * Traction Control System
 * Sport-tuned Suspension Package (OPTIONAL)

G35x (AWD) Sedan

 * 3.5L V6 engine with 280 horsepower
 * 7-spoke, 17 x 7.0-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
 * ATTESA E-TS All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
 * Traction Control System

G35 6MT Sedan

 * 3.5L V6 engine with 298 horsepower
 * 5-spoke, 18 x 7.5-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
 * Traction Control System
 * Sport-tuned Suspension Package
 * Close-ratio 6-Speed manual transmission with short throw shifter
 * Dual mass flywheel

G35 Coupe

 * 3.5L V6 engine with 280 horsepower
 * 6-spoke, 17 x 7.5-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
 * 5-spoke, 19 x 8.0-inch (rear) forged aluminum-alloy wheels (OPTIONAL)
 * Sport-tuned Suspension Package (OPTIONAL)

G35 6MT Coupe

 * 3.5L V6 engine with 298 horsepower
 * 5-spoke, 19 x 8.0-inch (rear) forged aluminum-alloy wheels
 * Sport-tuned Suspension Package
 * Close-ratio 6-Speed manual transmission with short throw shifter
 * Dual mass flywheel

All 5 trims have the following Interior features:
 * Interior Features
 * Automatic Climate Control System with microfiltration
 * Rear-seat heater ducts under the front seats
 * Power windows with illuminated switches and front-window one-touch auto-up/down and auto-reverse feature
 * Power door locks
 * Power trunk release
 * Retained accessory power for windows and sunroof (if equipped)
 * Illuminated entry system with delayed fade-out
 * Front sun visor extensions
 * Overhead sunglasses storage
 * Dual overhead front map lights, rear-seat reading lights (G35 Sedans only)
 * Front seatback map pockets
 * Dual front and rear cupholders
 * Front armrest with storage compartment and 12-volt power outlet (automatic transmission only)
 * Fold-down rear-center armrest with locking trunk pass-through (G35 Sedans only)
 * Front and rear carpeted floor mats
 * Rear center console (G35 Coupes only)
 * Folding rear seatback (G35 Coupes only)
 * Cargo net and tie-down anchors in trunk (G35 Sedans only)
 * Trunk net (G35 Coupes only)

All 5 trims have the following Exterior features:
 * Comprehensive airflow management, with underbody sculpting, for low 0.27 (0.29 for the G35 Coupes) coefficient of drag (Cd) and zero-lift front aerodynamics (0.26 Cd and zero-lift front and rear with optional Aero Package)
 * Aluminum hood
 * Front-fender sightlines allow driver to position front wheels into corners more accurately (G35 Coupes only)
 * Integrated front fog lights
 * UV-reducing tinted glass reduces transmission of radiant heat to vehicle’s interior
 * Dual heated, power outside mirrors
 * Speed-sensitive wipers increase intermittent wipes as vehicle speed increases
 * Aluminum door-sill plates
 * LED taillights and center high-mounted stoplight (CHMSL) offer quicker illumination, lower power consumption and longer life than conventional bulbs
 * Rear window defroster with timer
 * Dual chrome exhaust finishers
 * Rear doors open a full 80° for easier rear-seat entry and exit (G35 Sedans only)
 * High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon low-beam headlights (G35 Sedans only)
 * High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-xenon headlights (G35 Coupes only)

All 5 trims have the following Seating features:
 * Leather-appointed, heated, 8-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support and 4-way power passenger’s seat
 * Aluminum interior trim
 * Leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel with cruise control and audio system controls
 * Aluminum and leather-appointed shift knob
 * Unique seat optimized for driver (G35 Sedans only)
 * Sport-bolstered front seats (G35 Coupes only)

All 5 trims have the following Audio System features:
 * 6-speaker audio system with AM/FM radio and in-dash, single-feed 6-disc CD autochanger, with MP3 playback capability

All 5 trims have the following Instrumentation and Driver Controls features:
 * Fine Vision electronic analog instrumentation
 * Manual tilt and telescoping steering column synchronizes gauge cluster with column for improved vision
 * Dual digital trip odometers
 * Multi-information display for climate control, outside temperature and digital compass
 * Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted switches
 * Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
 * Tire Pressure Monitoring System (warning light)
 * Infiniti analog clock

All 5 trims have the following Security features:
 * Remote keyless entry system with selective unlocking of driver’s door or all doors
 * Brake Assist
 * 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
 * Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
 * Traction Control System (TCS)

Pricing
Today's actual prices by city can be found at CarsDirect.

Reliability

 * RECALL ALERT: On Oct 15 2008, Infiniti issued a recall affecting 200,000 Infinitis including about 60,000 2007 and 2008 EX35s, G35 Sedans and G37 coupes due to a faulty front passenger side airbag sensor that could fail to detect the presence of a passenger, thus, preventing the deployment of the airbag. Owners are urged to contact 1-800-662-6200 or their nearest dealer to get the system replace free of charge.

Accident Avoidance Features

 * Electronic Brake force Distrubution (EBD)
 * Brake Assist
 * 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
 * Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
 * Traction Control System (TCS)

Occupant Protection Features

 * The Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) [1] includes dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant-classification sensor. When deployed, the inflation rate of these dual-stage air bags adjusts depending on crash severity and seat belt usage. If the front-passenger’s seat is empty, a sensor will deactivate the air bag.
 * Driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental air bags
 * Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front- and rear-seat occupant head protection
 * Front and rear head restraints for outboard occupant positions. Active front head restraints move forward and upward in certain rear-impact collisions to help reduce whiplash-type injuries.
 * 3-point height-adjustable front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, driver’s seat Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR), and passenger’s seat ELR and Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
 * 3-point rear seat belts with ELR and ALR
 * Slide-away brake pedal assembly moves brake pedal away from the driver in certain frontal collisions
 * Latch System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) helps simplify proper installation of compatible child restraint seats
 * Emergency inside trunk release
 * First-aid kit in rear center armrest
 * Snug Kids offers recommendations for choosing and installing child restraint seats. Download Snug Kids PDF for more details. (104 Kbs)
 * Airbag and frame system in 2003-2006 models received a perfect "G" rating for an offset frontal crash test making it one of the most survivable cars for head-on collisions.

Colors
Both the Infiniti G35 Sedan and G35 coupe come in the following colors:
 * Liquid Platinum
 * Black Obsidian
 * Diamond Graphite
 * Ivory Pearl
 * Serengeti Sand
 * Lakeshore Slate

The following colors are exclusive to the G35 Coupe:
 * Laser Red
 * Athens Blue

The following colors are exclusive to the G35 Sedan:
 * Garnet Fire
 * Twilight Blue
 * Emerald Mist (2003 only)

Major Competitors
The G35's competitors include the following:
 * Acura TL
 * Audi A4
 * BMW 3-Series
 * Cadillac CTS
 * Lexus IS 350
 * Mercedes-Benz C-Class
 * Volvo S60

Hybrid Models
There are no plans of creating a Hybrid G35 at this time.

Resale Values
Autos.com ranks both the Infiniti G35 and G35x first in resale value (with a 5 out of 5-star rating), amongst 32 of the top-selling "Near-Luxury" vehicles.

Criticism
While generally regarded as an excellent bang-for-the-buck proposition, the G35 tends to have low interior build quality when it comes to fit and finish. There are numerous rattles and squeaks for all of the 2003-2006 models and the interior tends to rely heavily on plastic. During the later model years (2005-2007), the interior was revamped and improved. Vehicles under warranty can be corrected free of charge at any Infiniti dealership. Some vehicles outside this warranty period can sometimes be corrected free of charge by a friendly dealership.

The braking system in the 2003-2005 models was undersized for the stopping power they afforded the vehicle, so to compensate, Infiniti used a soft pad/rotor combination which lead to extremely fast wear patterns. It is not unusual to replace the brakes on this vintage of G35 within the first 30k. This forced Infiniti to revise its brake warranty for these specific years, however, the small brake problem remained. This was corrected by upgrading the rotors to 1.4" larger at all corners in 2006 and above. Also, the vehicle dynamic stabilization system which is tied into the ABS system tends to wear the rear pads faster than expected since it uses the rear brakes exclusively to cut down wheelspin.

The trunk lid will pour water into the compartment when opened even if there is only a small amount of dew on the lid.

The nav system presents an annoying nag screen every time you start it up & shuts about 60% of the functionality when the vehicle is moving. This is odd since you are allowed to scroll through some 150 + CD's to find songs you want while cruising. Apparently Infinifi has decided that the extremely fast acceleration & top speed of this auto is not as dangerous as using the nav system when you want.

The car is also rather shoddy in construction as the company skimped on materials used in the sun roof & floor mats to mention only a few items.

The paint on some models also seems excessively fragile. It is highly recommended to apply an invisible 3m paint shield to at least the hood and front bumpers.

Second Generation
The G35 range was originally rumored to be replaced by a 3.7 L "G37", but the official unveiling of the 2007 model at the 2006 New York Auto Show remained at 3.5 L and kept the G35 name. Horsepower is rated at 306 (measured using the new SAE standards), and the 2007 will hit the showroom in the fall of 2006. Real-life combined gas mileage is rather low at 16 mpg.

Awards

 * The G35 was named the Motor Trend Car of the Year in 2003, the year it came out, and was on Car and Driver’s "10 Best" list for 2003 and 2004.