MSRP Range: $27,500 to $33,000

Invoice Range: $24,500 to $30,000
Price Quote

MSRP As Tested: $29,100

Versions: none

Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Sports Sedan

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive

Engine As Tested: 3.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, V6, 260-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 260 lb-ft torque at 4,800 rpm

Transmission As Tested: 5-Speed Automatic, optional 6-Speed Manual

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): automatic - 19/26, manual - 20/27

Standard Safety Features: Driver and Front Passenger, front and side airbags, side curtain airbags, power 4-wheel disc brakes, Brake Assist, Antiskid System, Traction Control, In-Trunk Emergency Trunk Release

Competition: Acura CL, Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CTS, Lexus ES 300, Saab 9-3

In the probably overly fondly remembered days of the birth of the sports car movement of the fifties, reputations of drivers and car marques were born, polished and eventually exaggerated on race tracks in exotic areas like nearby Torrey Pines, Nassau and Bridgehampton. Now these haunts are far more likely to see Tiger Woods than the tiger spirit that came with those early sports cars.

Yet, the mark was left, and today every car on the road has more horsepower and more stability as a result of the conquest of multi-cam and multi-valve sports car technology over the huge and wasteful 'bigger is better, and besides it's cheaper' philosophy that shaped the early days of the US auto. Every country has its success stories, but the Japanese led in refinement, value and delivering more go for the buck. None was more important than Nissan, who came from nowhere to dominate sports car racing and redefine the US car market in 70s and early 80s. They've been quiet for a while, but with a host of new Nissan and Infiniti products . . . they're back!

A great car is dependent on great underpinnings, and the platform utilized in the creation and design of the all-new 2003 Infiniti G35 is called "FM," for the "Front Mid-ship" mounting of its tried and true 3.5-liter V6 engine. The location of the engine and its corresponding 52/48 front-to-rear weight balance is a key to the G35's high level of driving performance and benefits the driver and passenger comfort in several ways.

"To the driver, the only thing that probably matters is driving pleasure - the ability to concentrate on driving with complete peace of mind and without fatigue. From racing, we've learned that performance and packaging go hand in hand," said Kazutoshi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer. And Mizuno has the credentials to be listened to.

Mizuno was the team manager of Nissan's remarkable eighties and nineties LeMans and Group C racing programs, and characterizes his FM platform approach as the "flat ride concept." "The more you can control the movement of the passenger compartment, the greater ride comfort, and therefore less fatigue, the driver and passengers will feel. The tradeoff before has always been between ride comfort and handling," said Mizuno. "With the FM platform, we've found a way to provide very high levels of both."

"The front end been made two percent heavier, so the front wheels are already pre-loaded for sure steering response entering a curve. The weight distribution becomes 50:50 when accelerating out for the superb cornering and acceleration performance that one might expect to find only in front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports cars," said Mizuno. This performance is supported by a new multi-link suspension system and the use of large diameter 205/65R16 and 215/55R17 tires.

G35's new front suspension minimizes alignment changes through use of two separate lower links and a long upper link. Aluminum is used for upper and lower links, axle housing and compression rod - reducing mass by 25 percent. The rear suspension gains a 20 percent reduction with an aluminum subframe, axle housing, A-arm and lower link. All adds to tire adhesions and sure cornering, acceleration and stopping.

By positioning the tires at the extreme corners, the FM platform has a long wheelbase and wide track, resulting in a spacious cabin and enhanced stability, minimizing uncomfortable pitch and roll motions. And Mizuno has dug into his racing toolbox and tweaked the aerodynamics, controlling the airflow over the upper and even the lower surfaces of the vehicle. The underfloor design smoothes airflow from the bottom of the front bumper to the rear edge of the engine, compressing the flow to increase its velocity, which reduces lift. The diffusion action is repeated again under the fuel tank and centrally located muffler, all tested and proved in a racecar wind tunnel.

Said Mizuno. "It's as close as we can come to putting endurance racing technology on the street - zero front lift, ideal weight balance, lightweight suspension components and an aggressive power-to-weight ratio. Yet even non-enthusiasts will be attracted to the G35's spacious, luxurious interior, large trunk and advanced styling. Performance never felt so comfortable."

All G35's come with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), enhancing vehicle stability under a variety of driving conditions - similar to that offered in the 2002 Infiniti Q45 and I35.

The G35 development team also drew on their endurance racing experience in creating a "touring" driving position, laid out to optimize visibility, ease of operation and long range comfort. Visibility has been enhanced by both the use of tilt instruments to increase eye range versus rigid meter mounting and attention to the forward field of vision, including easy view of the fender ridge line.

The G35's crushable zone crumples while the engine moves to drop under the floor. This reduces deceleration g-force and helps minimize cabin deformation, especially in the leg area. In a severe crash, the brake pedal moves away from the driver's lower legs to help reduce leg injuries. Other features include breakaway construction of the drive shaft.

Nissan's VQ engine series, which has been recognized as one of the "Ten Best Engines" by Ward's Auto World magazine for seven consecutive years is the heart of the G35, along with an advanced 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The engine includes a long list of advanced systems, including a continuously variable valve timing control system, a "noiseless" timing chain for silent operation, a structurally reinforced aluminum engine block and an electronically controlled "drive-by-wire" throttle system. It also features a modular engine design, and molybdenum coated lightweight pistons to boost the horsepower even higher than its class leading levels. It was developed from lessons learned in Nissan's all-conquering prototype and endurance racing programs, and continues to learn from Infiniti's Indy racing.

The 2003 Infiniti G35 is available in two models - Luxury and Leather. Packages include the Premium Package, with Bose audio system, adjustable rear seats, sunroof and more; Sport-Tuned Suspension Package, which adds 17-inch alloy wheels with W-rated performance tires and upgraded suspension; and the Aero Package, which includes the Sport-Tuned Suspension Package and adds rear spoiler with rear underbody rear side fairing.

The G35 is positioned to compete against current popular sport sedans such as the BMW 3-series, Lexus GS and IS300, Jaguar S-Type, Lincoln LS, Cadillac CTS and Audi A4. Look for this to be the basic building block for an Infiniti revival, starting with a sexy coupe this fall, and a whole host of products to follow.

MORE DATA

Where Built: Japan

Seating: 5

Number of Rows: 2

Crash Test Ratings:

• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: Not Yet Tested
• NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: Not Yet Tested
• IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: Not Yet Tested

Length in Inches: 186.5

Warranties: 4 years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 7 years/unlimited miles corrosion, 6 years/70,000 miles powertrain, 4years/unlimited mileage free roadside assistance

Weight in Pounds: 3,336

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Applicable

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 20.0

Destination Charge: $545