A convertible that wants to be a hardtop. Or is it a coupe that wants to be a cabriolet? Or all of the above?
Nissan’s Infiniti division allows you to have the best of both worlds with their Infiniti G37 Convertible, a model which also offers a more performance-minded variant seen here.
Hop in as we go topless in search of an all-rounder for the sunbelt.
What is it?
Based to a large degree on the FM-platform (front midship) G37 Coupe, it is a four-seater that can easily swallow a couple of carry-on suitcases when the roof is raised.
Let’s not kid here, though: With the roof in the stowed position, you’ll be good with a duffle bag. Regardless, the G37 features a totally revised platform that offers a hardtop to seal out the elements as well as the noise that comes from al-fresco motoring. On other days, the vibe in the air just begs you to doff your lid, and soak up the Vitamin-D.
A different car from the A-pillar rearward than its fixed-roof sibling, it has been reinforced to offer similar handling to the hardtop, through its wider rear track and unique platform design. Breakthroughs on our tester included Bose Open Air Sound System dubbed Audio Pilot 2.0, that adjusts itself according to ambient noise, and an Infiniti adaptive climate control system that varies temperature and intensity depending on ambient climate with the roof in the stowed position.
And you’ll note that our tester was a G37S, not just a standard G37. S stands for sport, as you might imagine, and it brings with it more than an additional letter. Specially-tuned steering, uprated brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance rubber turn the wick up a bit.
What’s it up against?
A casual observer would could actually slot the G37 convertible against its cousin the Z roadster. We’ll resist the opportunity, especially when you consider that the Z is only a two-seater.
Instead, we find the G37′s natural competitors to be the Audi A5/S5 convertibles, the BMW 3-series Convertible, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, as well as such domestics as the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang convertibles.
They are all worthy opponents. How big your monthly payment is will be determined by how you outfit any one of these contenders, but each offers something with similar power to our tester.
How does it look?
From a looks standpoint, the G37 hardtop-convertible takes over what the late and probably not lamented Lexus SC 430 was never quite able to achieve: That of a good-looking personal sports car with convertible roof.
Our Vibrant-Red test model featured the curvy large front fenders with the trademark Infiniti four-bar grille. Its rear fenders are 1.1–inches wider than those on the G37 coupe. This convertible includes a wider track for improved handling. Since our model was the sport version, it included a new front fascia and bumper design with fog lamps that are unique and separate from the standard G37 convertible. The tail was equipped with chrome brightwork which housed both the high-mount brake lights and backup camera lens.
The G37S Convertible is one of those rare vehicles that looks good with the roof up or down, and that’s all that really matters for many.
And on the inside?
We found our test car to be rather restrained when compared to Infiniti’s more upmarket offerings with their cross grain–applied silver dust in the grooves of their wood trim. Instead, we find a brushed aluminum looking waist rail that runs around the cockpit. Soft touch materials on the top of the dashboard impart a feeling of high quality that is in line with the $50,000 price tag the G37S commands.
Leather-wrapped driver and passenger seats with eight–way power adjustments accommodate nearly every size driver that could fit the car. We appreciated the extra support from the manually adjusted thigh cushions that can be repositioned with the raising of a lever.
Everything is where it should be, with fit and finishes completed to the highest quality standards. The stellar sound quality that emanates from the Bose audio system, and its speakers in the shoulders of the front seatsclearly gave us a choice of whether to choose the sounds of SiriusXM or those of the street.
Voice commands were easily recognized and enabled easy use of the navigation system and Bluetooth phone controls.
But does it go?
Our G37S was powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 engine built in Tochigi, Japan, an engine that has become a staple of Nissan and Infiniti’s lineup.
Unfortunately, it is no more powerful than the engine that resides in the standard G37 Convertible and Coupe. But with 325 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm, it’s still no slouch. It’s quaint in an old-school sort of way, using multiport fuel injection over the newer technology found in direct-injection induction systems. It does, however, include Nissan’s VVEL system, which provides hydraulically-powered variable valve timing, and electronically-controlled variable valve lift to increase efficiency on the induction side.
A speed–sensitive rack and pinion power steering system offered nicely weighted feel from the leather-wrapped steering wheel. A pair of independent double wishbones in front and a multi-link kit in the rear with anti-sway bars on both ends, sets up the G37S for a day of play on the twisties around town, or dare we even suggest the occasional track day event at the local racer’s country club. Upgraded brakes, which included 14-inch rotors in front and 13.8-inch platters in the rear, helped to bring things back under control after a quick burst of speed. Seeing that our red example weighed in at 4,149 lbs., we were impressed with the zero to 60 mph time of 6.3 seconds in our testing. EPA says to look for 16/24 mpg, which is unimpressive to say the least.
Since ours was the sportiest version of the G37, it is only available with a 6 speed manual transmission. The direct injection V6 seems to play in the perfect torque band, which allowed passing maneuvers even when in a rather tallish fifth-gear. Road noise was very well controlled on all but the roughest of roads, and it was only when we crossed over railroad grade crossings that the G37 displayed a minimal amount of cowl–shake.
A byproduct of all this technology is a throatier growl than we have come to expect from Japanese cars, much less those tarted up with luxuries. Still a bit high–pitched or raspy for our tastes, it does conveys a sense of get up and go that you would expect from a car with a little S tacked onto the end of its badge.
Why you would buy it:
Because you are a sucker for good looks and this is one of the best looking convertibles on the market.
Why you wouldn’t:
Because the only S you want to be seen in is an S5 from Audi.
Leftlane’s bottom line
Infiniti continues its steady stream of doubles, triples and home runs with the 2012 G37S convertible, which carves out a high level of respect from us.
The Blackboard:
Aesthetics: A-
Technology: B+
Green: C
Drive: B+
Value: B+
Overall: B+
2012 Infiniti G37S Convertible base price, $50,850. As tested, $52,085.
Illuminated kick plates, $340; Destination, $845.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
Review: 2012 Infiniti G37S Convertible
Reviewed by
Mark Elias on
January 30
.
We put the top down and head out in style in Infiniti’s sportiest convertible.
A convertible that wants to be a hardtop. Or is it a coupe that wants to be a cabriolet? Or all of the above?
Nissan’s Infiniti division allows you to have the best of both worlds with their Infiniti G37 Convertible, a model which also offers a more performance-minded variant seen here.
Hop in as we go topless in search of an all-rounder for the sunbelt.
What is it?
Based to a large degree on the FM-platform (front midship) G37 Coupe, it is a four-seater that can easily swallow a couple of carry-on suitcases when the roof is raised.
Let’s not kid here, though: With the roof in the stowed position, you’ll be good with a duffle bag. Regardless, the G37 features a totally revised platform that offers a hardtop to seal out the elements as well as the noise that comes from al-fresco motoring. On other days, the vibe in the air just begs you to doff your lid, and soak up the Vitamin-D.
A different car from the A-pillar rearward than its fixed-roof sibling, it has been reinforced to offer similar handling to the hardtop, through its wider rear track and unique platform design. Breakthroughs on our tester included Bose Open Air Sound System dubbed Audio Pilot 2.0, that adjusts itself according to ambient noise, and an Infiniti adaptive climate control system that varies temperature and intensity depending on ambient climate with the roof in the stowed position.
And you’ll note that our tester was a G37S, not just a standard G37. S stands for sport, as you might imagine, and it brings with it more than an additional letter. Specially-tuned steering, uprated brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance rubber turn the wick up a bit.
What’s it up against?
A casual observer would could actually slot the G37 convertible against its cousin the Z roadster. We’ll resist the opportunity, especially when you consider that the Z is only a two-seater.
Instead, we find the G37′s natural competitors to be the Audi A5/S5 convertibles, the BMW 3-series Convertible, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, as well as such domestics as the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang convertibles.
They are all worthy opponents. How big your monthly payment is will be determined by how you outfit any one of these contenders, but each offers something with similar power to our tester.
How does it look?
From a looks standpoint, the G37 hardtop-convertible takes over what the late and probably not lamented Lexus SC 430 was never quite able to achieve: That of a good-looking personal sports car with convertible roof.
Our Vibrant-Red test model featured the curvy large front fenders with the trademark Infiniti four-bar grille. Its rear fenders are 1.1–inches wider than those on the G37 coupe. This convertible includes a wider track for improved handling. Since our model was the sport version, it included a new front fascia and bumper design with fog lamps that are unique and separate from the standard G37 convertible. The tail was equipped with chrome brightwork which housed both the high-mount brake lights and backup camera lens.
The G37S Convertible is one of those rare vehicles that looks good with the roof up or down, and that’s all that really matters for many.
And on the inside?
We found our test car to be rather restrained when compared to Infiniti’s more upmarket offerings with their cross grain–applied silver dust in the grooves of their wood trim. Instead, we find a brushed aluminum looking waist rail that runs around the cockpit. Soft touch materials on the top of the dashboard impart a feeling of high quality that is in line with the $50,000 price tag the G37S commands.
Leather-wrapped driver and passenger seats with eight–way power adjustments accommodate nearly every size driver that could fit the car. We appreciated the extra support from the manually adjusted thigh cushions that can be repositioned with the raising of a lever.
Everything is where it should be, with fit and finishes completed to the highest quality standards. The stellar sound quality that emanates from the Bose audio system, and its speakers in the shoulders of the front seatsclearly gave us a choice of whether to choose the sounds of SiriusXM or those of the street.
Voice commands were easily recognized and enabled easy use of the navigation system and Bluetooth phone controls.
But does it go?
Our G37S was powered by a 3.7-liter V-6 engine built in Tochigi, Japan, an engine that has become a staple of Nissan and Infiniti’s lineup.
Unfortunately, it is no more powerful than the engine that resides in the standard G37 Convertible and Coupe. But with 325 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm, it’s still no slouch. It’s quaint in an old-school sort of way, using multiport fuel injection over the newer technology found in direct-injection induction systems. It does, however, include Nissan’s VVEL system, which provides hydraulically-powered variable valve timing, and electronically-controlled variable valve lift to increase efficiency on the induction side.
A speed–sensitive rack and pinion power steering system offered nicely weighted feel from the leather-wrapped steering wheel. A pair of independent double wishbones in front and a multi-link kit in the rear with anti-sway bars on both ends, sets up the G37S for a day of play on the twisties around town, or dare we even suggest the occasional track day event at the local racer’s country club. Upgraded brakes, which included 14-inch rotors in front and 13.8-inch platters in the rear, helped to bring things back under control after a quick burst of speed. Seeing that our red example weighed in at 4,149 lbs., we were impressed with the zero to 60 mph time of 6.3 seconds in our testing. EPA says to look for 16/24 mpg, which is unimpressive to say the least.
Since ours was the sportiest version of the G37, it is only available with a 6 speed manual transmission. The direct injection V6 seems to play in the perfect torque band, which allowed passing maneuvers even when in a rather tallish fifth-gear. Road noise was very well controlled on all but the roughest of roads, and it was only when we crossed over railroad grade crossings that the G37 displayed a minimal amount of cowl–shake.
A byproduct of all this technology is a throatier growl than we have come to expect from Japanese cars, much less those tarted up with luxuries. Still a bit high–pitched or raspy for our tastes, it does conveys a sense of get up and go that you would expect from a car with a little S tacked onto the end of its badge.
Why you would buy it:
Because you are a sucker for good looks and this is one of the best looking convertibles on the market.
Why you wouldn’t:
Because the only S you want to be seen in is an S5 from Audi.
Leftlane’s bottom line
Infiniti continues its steady stream of doubles, triples and home runs with the 2012 G37S convertible, which carves out a high level of respect from us.
The Blackboard:
Aesthetics: A-
Technology: B+
Green: C
Drive: B+
Value: B+
Overall: B+
2012 Infiniti G37S Convertible base price, $50,850. As tested, $52,085.
Illuminated kick plates, $340; Destination, $845.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
Rating:
