Infiniti G kicks off from $75,900

INFINITI Cars Australia has announced its luxury G37 Coupe will be priced from $75,900 and the G37 Convertible will start from $87,900 (both plus on-road costs) ahead of their launch early in December.

The final models in the reborn Japanese luxury brand’s launch phase in Australia, the 2+2-seater G37 twins join the recently introduced FX SUV and M sports sedan and line up against established prestige sportscars such as the Audi A5, Lexus IS250C and two-door models in the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class stables.

As GoAuto has reported, the Infiniti G has close mechanical ties with the Nissan 370Z range, but the G series is larger, only available with an automatic transmission and adds an extra level of luxury and refinement – plus rear seating.

A sedan version remains absent from the line-up for the time being as a new-generation model is in the final stages of development.

To be unveiled early in 2013, the four-door is due on sale later in Australia later in the year, but the redesigned two-doors are not expected until around 2014, hence the arrival now of the current models.

The G37 Coupe is offered in $75,900 GT Premium trim, with an S Premium model starting further up the line at $83,500. The G37 Convertible is available only in the $87,900 high-series S Premium grade.

Both body styles are powered by a version of Nissan’s familiar VQ-series 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine, in this case developing 235kW of power at 7000rpm and 360Nm of torque at 5200rpm, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission with sequential-manual mode and paddle shifters.

This is enough for the coupe, which tips the scales at 1670kg or 1692kg in S Premium guise, to reach 100km/h from standstill in 5.9 seconds, with the heavier (1866kg) convertible half a second behind at 6.4. Both have a top speed of 250km/h.

Australian-measured combined-cycle fuel consumption on the required 95 RON premium unleaded has come in at 10.5 litres per 100km for the coupe and 11.4L/100km for the convertible.

CO2 emissions are 246 grams per kilometre and 264g/km respectively for coupe and convertible.

A high level of standard equipment befitting the models’ luxury status is fitted across the board.

Safety equipment includes the full gamut of electronic handling aids, ABS brakes with EBD and brake assist, a rearview camera, dual front and front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags for the coupe and door-mounted curtain airbags for the convertible.

The cabrio, which uses a three-piece retractable hard-top roof, also adds pop-up rollbars.

Other standard features across the G37 range include automatic bi-Xenon headlights, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, keyless entry, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable seats (10-way for driver, including lumbar), a seven-inch touchscreen, 30Gb HDD navigation system, 10Gb music box, Bluetooth and audio streaming, and full iPod/USB connectivity.

The coupe is fitted with a sunroof (with sliding shade) and 11-speaker Bose sound system, while the convertible picks up a 13-speaker ‘open air surround sound’ system with AudioPilot 2.0 technology.

The S Premium grade adds high-performance brakes with bigger rotors and four-piston front/twin-piston rear callipers, a tyre pressure monitoring system and 19-inch alloy wheels (up from 18s), plus a number of features exclusive to the coupe including sports-tuned suspension, viscous limited-slip differential, four-wheel active steering, more heavily sports-oriented seats (with thigh extensions and 14-way power driver’s seat adjustment), a rear spoiler and red ‘S’ badging.

The G37 Convertible is also available with ‘Monaco Red’ leather upholstery matched to red-stained ‘Maple’ wood trim.

Infiniti Cars Australia general manager Kevin Snell said the two new models represent the brand’s “next important step in Australia”.

“These two cars open Infiniti to another vital segment within the Australian luxury car market and expand the scope of our ability to offer luxury car buyers a long-awaited new choice,” he said.

“These two exciting sportscars embody Infiniti’s performance luxury credentials by packaging dynamic handling with technology, comfort and quality in an athletic yet elegant design.

“These are luxury cars for drivers.”Infiniti G37 pricing*

GT Premium Coupe (a)	$75,900
S Premium Coupe (a)	$83,500
S Premium Convertible (a)	$87,900

*Plus on-road costs