PH Fleet: Infiniti G37 S Coupe
Our car park welcomes a new arrival in the form of a Japanese luxury car that isn't a Lexus. Must be an Infiniti, then...
G37's shape hasn't found many friends yet...
Which, in a roundabout way, is how an Infiniti G37 S coupe, the newest member of the PH Fleet, has arrived in our car park; I want to find out whether the underdog of the premium segment can cut it, but I'm also one of those people who want to run it in large part because it isn't another Audi, Mercedes or BMW.
But people who think like that are by definition a minority market and so it's been a bit of a slow start thus far for the Infiniti brand in the UK. There are still only a handful of dealers set up - although more are on the way - and despite the coupe having been on sale for two years now, Infiniti has only shifted around 100 two-door G37s in that time. But then the number of brand new BMW 335i coupes and Audi S5s that found homes last year has got to be pretty small too... so perhaps it isn't that bad.
...with the bulky rump taking the most flak...
Its on-paper specification certainly ticks all the right boxes for a luxury GT with a sporting edge. The 3.7-litre V6 produces an eminently respectable 321bhp, which propels the car to 62mph via the rear wheels in 5.9secs and on to 155mph. There's also a limited-slip diff as standard, clever four-wheel steering, and a seven-speed auto with steering column-mounted titanium paddles.
...though I like its subtle curves
It's priced well, too, with even a top-spec G37S Premium like ours coming in at £41.5k. That's more than £2.5k less than an Audi S5 and, although a top-spec BMW 335i auto will set you back a little less (£40,800), it won't be quite as well specified (and people will think you've got a 320d...).
Number plate not our first choice...
Age has not wearied our Infiniti, either, with no more than a few extra creases on the driver's seat bolster giving away the car's used nature.
So it looks right, it goes right, and the price is right, but this is only the beginning of the story. Can it really convince as a premium proposition?
...but the 321bhp V6 is more like it
Other members of the PH team are yet to be convinced, however, citing dull looks, some flimsy interior fitments and a slightly gruff engine as signs of it being little more than a poshed-up Nissan - although I reckon they're slightly blinded by a spot of badge snobbery. Either way, over the next few months the Infiniti may have its work cut out changing hearts and minds, but it's already halfway there for me.
 Interior is suitably luxurious. Gadgets include... |
 ..keyless entry (and ignition)... |
 ...and fully electric seats, with which entry to rear seats is easy thanks to... |
 ...this button, which 'remembers' where the seat was set to. Very useful |
Would I? It'd take a bit of thought but I could get over the fact it's basically a Nissan then yes, why not.
. Oh.... 
There's one of those rare Infiniti dealers near me actually, positioned carefully next to a Porsche dealer and but a few hundred yards from an Audi establishment. I think the intentions are clear from this locating tactic
I have to say though if the keys to this, a 335ci and an S5 were put in front of me, I'd probably go for one of the latter two. But saying that, I'd have to do a thorough test drive of each to make my decision
Generally it's not bad looking, though the nose seems a touch too American (that square grill just doesn't do anything for the car) and the backside puts me in mind of the Cougar but I like the interior (but then looking at my car history that ain't hard to beat).
I thought the G37, on the one evening Riggers forced me relunctantly into taking it, was like an american hire car. There was a brief flash of "oh, this one has a reasonably big engine" but it was otherwise entirely unmemorable.
, but you are essentially right. Its platform, engine and various other mechanicals are carried over, but you'd be surprised how different it feels. It's a fair bit less raw and aggressive. Basically a cruiser to the 370Z's bruiser... 
Would I? It'd take a bit of thought but I could get over the fact it's basically a Nissan then yes, why not.
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