LA Auto Show: 2010 Infiniti G37 sedan breaks cover

Since Infiniti first burst on the automotive scene 20 years ago, it has maintained a reputation as having not only one of the most dynamic product lineups in the industry but also one of the freshest, with a constant stream of new or enhanced models. The 2010 calendar year is no exception with a greatly refined Infiniti G37 Sedan debuting prior the scheduled launches of all-new, next generations of the Infiniti M and Infiniti QX. For 2010, the G Sedan, Infiniti's top-selling model, features revised exterior styling, an enhanced interior treatment and upgraded technology features.

Most of the enhancements, except for the exterior refinements, are also available on the 2010 G37 Coupe and recently introduced G37 Convertible. 2010 G buyers have a range of four well-equipped models to choose from G37 Sedan, G37 Sedan Journey, G37S Sedan Sport 6MT and G37x Sedan AWD. All 2010 G Sedans are equipped with a refined 328-horsepower 3.7-liter VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) V6. A smooth, efficient 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models except the G37 Sport 6MT, which, as appropriate for a cutting-edge performance sports sedan, comes with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. The G37x Sedan AWD is equipped with an advanced Infiniti Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system for enhanced all-weather performance.

"The Infiniti G is a vehicle for people who never slow down or settle for the status quo, so our goal has always been to keep the design fresh, the performance engaging and the equipment perfectly in-tune with the needs of these active owners," said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit.

Refreshed, Sporty Styling For 2010

For 2010, the G Sedan retains its visually striking exterior design, with its long, wave-like hood, raked A-pillars and athletic stance projecting a balance of power and grace that is suggestive of the performance potential within. The front of the G Sedan is highlighted by its new headlights and grille, which offer a crisp form and high quality feel. The G's standard fog lights have been moved from their previous location in the headlight cluster to the lower fascia where they help provide a more upscale and distinctive appearance. Every G offers standard High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional Xenon headlights.

G37 Sport models also receive a new, distinctive front fascia and separate fog lights. The silhouette offers a wedged roofline and a sweeping bodyside character line that emphasizes both the rich shoulder surfaces and the G's rear-wheel drive orientation. In the rear, the refined, evolutional L-shaped LED taillights express the G heritage and the Infiniti design identity. The trunk lid is accented by an integrated spoiler, while prominent dual exhaust outlets complete the sporty appearance. All 2010 models receive a revised rear fascia with an improved exhaust finisher treatment. G37, G37 Journey and G37x AWD models feature a new 17-inch 5-spoke "triple forks" aluminum-alloy wheel design. Two new exterior colors are offered for 2010, Smoky Quartz and Graphite Shadow, along with carryover colors Vibrant Red, Lakeshore Slate, Liquid Platinum, Blue Slate, Black Obsidian and Moonlight White.

Interior Refinements Add to Crafted, Quality Feel

Like the exterior, the 2010 G Sedan's interior has been given a fresh look and feel for the new model year, along with upgrades to the navigation system and revised optional package content. Every G37 Sedan offers a crafted interior environment and luxury features such as standard leather-appointed seating and an available audiophile-quality Infiniti Studio on Wheels by Bose premium audio system, which combines Bose' s 3-way front door speaker array using 10-inch woofers with a parcel shelf-mounted subwoofer.  A 2GB Music Box Flash Memory Music Server is available with the Premium Package.

Other enhancements for 2010 include a new, predominately white color scheme for the gauges and LCD instrument display, improving both legibility and cohesiveness of design. There is also a new center console design (7AT models) and the previous "Washi" aluminum trim has been replaced by "Shodo" aluminum trim inspired by a style of Japanese calligraphy. The Wheat and Stone leather-appointed interior colors are now lighter (Graphite color also available), and the available maple interior accents are now high gloss. Unchanged is the G's harmony between the dedicated driver's cockpit and comfortable passenger space and between modern technology and traditional Japanese design cues. The result is a "modern warmth" that is unique in the sport sedan segment.

The driver's area has a simple, intuitive layout with easy-to-read electroluminescent gauges. A center information display, located between the tachometer and speedometer, conveys updates from the drive computer (average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel economy, average speed, elapsed time, running distance, distance to empty, outside air temperature, warning displays, odometer and automatic transmission shift indicator). The G's available Infiniti Navigation System has been enhanced with 08IT technology and a new display screen with higher resolution than the previous generation system's screen. Along with the previously available XM NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information, the navigation system adds NavWeather with Real-Time Weather and 3-day forecast (XM subscription required, sold separately), Streaming Audio via Bluetooth and Zagat Restaurant Guide.

The system also includes a touch screen, Voice Recognition and a 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive. Other technologies include standard Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, standard 7.0-inch color monitor display, standard XM Satellite Radio (XM subscription required, sold separately), available RearView Monitor, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System and Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking.

Powerful, Responsive 3.7-liter V6 Performance As stunning as the G Sedan looks from the outside, its real beauty is best experienced from behind the wheel. The G's balanced dynamic performance starts with its advanced 3.7-liter VQ37HR V6 with VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift). Rated at 328 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, the engine's VVEL system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to help improve performance and response. The VVEL system also offers improved emissions and fuel efficiency over the non-VVEL designs. The VVEL intake camshafts, featuring continuously variable lift control teamed with the Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS), allow for a 7,600 rpm redline.

The engine also features rigid ladder frame construction, large crank journal and pin diameters, asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, an electronically controlled "drive-by-wire" throttle system, coated lightweight pistons, Iridium spark plugs and a symmetric twin air intake system. The specially tuned dual exhaust system features equal length exhaust manifolds and low muffler exhaust backpressure to help improve engine breathing. Both intake and exhaust enhance driving pleasure with their authentic performance notes.

To help take full advantage of the refined engine design, the G37 Sedan comes with a standard (except for the G37S Sport 6MT model) 7-speed automatic transmission with Downshift Rev Matching, Drive Sport mode and ASC (Adaptive Shift Control) that allows for sportier shifts in performance driving situations. Solid magnesium paddle shifters are standard on G37 Special Edition models and as part of the Sport Package for G37 Journey and G37x AWD models. The G37S Sport 6MT features a smooth-shifting, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.

"It is important to us to offer the G Sedan with a choice of transmissions ‚ the 6-speed manual for the pure sports enthusiasts and our refined 7-speed automatic that, especially when combined with the available steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, provides nearly the same high level of driver control," said Poore. Estimated fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg City and 27 mpg Highway with the 7-speed automatic transmission and 17 mpg City/25 mpg Highway AWD with the 6-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy for G37x AWD models is estimated at 18 City/25 Highway Along with the 3.7-liter engine, every 2010 G37 Sedan is equipped with the advanced FM platform, which locates the engine behind the front axle in the "Front Mid-ship" position.

The positioning of the engine provides good front-to-rear weight balance, while the combination of long wheelbase, manageable overall length and wide front and rear track adds to the G Sedan's overall handling stability. The G37's suspension is a 4-wheel independent design with lightweight aluminum components and front and rear stabilizer bars, designed to provide nimble and natural feeling handling, as well as a controlled, refined ride. The front suspension minimizes alignment changes through use of a single pivot lower wishbone and a long upper link. The rear suspension design separates the shock absorbers and springs, locating the shock absorber inline with the wheel center to help reduce suspension friction and reduce the wind-up motion of the axle on acceleration.

The Infiniti G37 6MT and G37 Journey models with the optional Sport Package include a sport-tuned suspension and 14.7:1 sport-tuned steering gear. The G37x Sedan AWD model features a state-of-the-art "intelligent" all-wheel drive system with Infiniti's ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system. The system utilizes an active torque distribution management system with an active center clutch designed for smooth starts and better traction and maneuverability on snowy roads than conventional all-wheel drive systems, plus minimal compromise of rear-wheel drive performance characteristics on dry roads. All 2010 G37s, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, come with standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), helping to enhance vehicle stability under a variety of driving conditions, while Viscous Limited Slip Differential (VLSD) is included on the G37S Sport 6MT and G37 Journey Sport Package-equipped vehicles.

The G's brake system utilizes power-assisted 4-wheel vented disc brakes with 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Larger brakes (14.0-inch front, 13.8-inch rear) with 4-piston front/2-piston rear calipers are standard on the G37S Sport 6MT and the G37 Journey with Sport Package. Also available is a Preview Braking system (with Intelligent Cruise Control). The power steering system is a vehicle-speed-sensing design, which provides optimum steering effort at both high and low vehicle speeds. The 2010 G37 features a new standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheel design with P225/55R17 tires. Larger 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and P225/50R18 front and P245/45R18 rear W-rated tires are standard on the G37 Sport 6MT and Sport Package-equipped G37 Journey models. A Performance Tire & Wheel Package with 18-inch wheel and P225/50R18 front and rear all-season tires is also available on the G37 Journey (non-Sport Package) and G37x AWD.

All G37 Sedans come equipped with Infiniti's Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors is standard, along with roof-mounted side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection and roof-mounted side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection. Also standard are 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's side ELR only) and front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors, front seat Active Head Restraints and the LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). Brake-Operated Pre-Crash Seat Belts are available as part of the Technology Package. The G37 Sedan also features Zone Body Construction with front and rear crushable zones to help disperse crash energy around the passenger compartment.

Four Well-Equipped Models

The 2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan is available in four models: G37, G37 Journey, G37x AWD and G37 Sport 6MT. In addition to the long list of standard and available equipment on the G37, G37 Journey and G37x AWD models, G35 Sport 6MT models (as well as G37 Journey and G37x models equipped with the Sport Package) add drilled aluminum pedals, sport seats with thigh extensions and driver's power bolster adjustments, upgraded brakes (not available on G37x AWD) and Viscous Limited Slip Differential) not available on G37x AWD), along with magnesium paddle shifters on automatic transmission models.

Several options and packages are available for the 2010 G37 Sedan, including the Premium Package, Navigation Package, Technology Package, Sport Package (G37 Journey), Sport Package (G37x AWD), Performance Tire & Wheel Package and Maple Accents Wood Trim.