MSRP Range: $27,000 to $33,000 Invoice Range: $24,500 to $30,000 Price Quote MSRP As Tested: $32,050 Versions: Coupe Leather and G35 Coupe Leather 6MT Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Sports Coupe Engine Location: Front Engine Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive Engine As Tested: 3.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, V6, 280-horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 270 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, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Traction Control, Competition: Acura CL, Acura RSX Type-S, BMW 3 Series, Toyota Solara INFINEON RACEWAY, Calif. -- It's a genuine GT sports coupe, keen in shape and as slick as glass, with two doors on the flanks of a snug 2+2 cockpit and a high-powered engine below the stubby prow pushing all kinds of torque to the big wheels in back. Infiniti, the high-tech brand spinning up from Nissan of Japan, constructs this new sports coupe and calls it the G35 -- same name as a new mid-size four-door Infiniti sedan. Both coupe and sedan share a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis and the juicy six-pack engine borrowed from Nissan's hot Maxima flagship. That's also the same powertrain and platform -- called FM, for Front Midship, which describes the motor's position on the chassis -- for Nissan's no-nonsense 350Z fastback sports coupe that looks similar in shape and style. However, Infiniti's coupe measures a bit longer and taller than the Z car and it carries a two-place fold-down rear seat in the cabin. It also packs aboard extensive luxury equipment. And it can run up to high speed quickly but also lay down some daring maneuvers on a wiggly course. From a stop-light start, the coupe sprints to 60 mph in less than six seconds. On a curlicue course it hunkers in balanced posture as a taut suspension allows the tire rubber to dance the dance of a serious sports car. The 3.5-liter V6 engine, with dual cams on top and four valves in each cylinder plus an electronically-controlled drive-by-wire throttle, produces 280-hp at 6,200 rpm, with torque pumping up to 270 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. Engine connects to a smooth electronic automatic five-speed transmission with convenient manual shift mode or -- in the ultimate performance edition -- the six-speed close-ratio manual stick lifted from 350Z. We sample both shifter variations during a day of driving on a diverse course leading through the grid streets of San Francisco and up the 101 freeway into Marin County but also around the demanding closed-circuit race track at Infineon Raceway (formerly called Sears Point) near Sonoma. The coupe contains a sophisticated multi-link suspension at all four wheels with aluminum-alloy components used to pare unsprung weight. Special shocks manage to do the impossible by setting up responsive control yet also delivering a ride quality that's smooth and comfortable. Standard 17-inch wheels use ultra wide P225/50VR17 tires in front with P235/50VR17 rounds in back. The Performance Tire and Wheel Package adds seven-spoke alloy 18-inch wheels with Michelin Type S tires, 225/45 up front and 245/45 in the rear. For keen stopping power, standard components consist of ventilated discs for all wheels with computer linkage to an anti-lock brake system (ABS), brake assist (BA) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD), but front and rear Brembo brakes apply to G35 with the six-speed manual. Also aboard are sophisticated electronic controls for safety, including vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and traction control systems (TCS), with a dash-mounted switch so the driver can disconnect these reins for moments of sporty hands-on maneuvers. On the Infineon track, we work with the ultimate performance edition rigged with the manual shifter plus Brembo brakes and 18-inch tires. Our G35 track edition also sports a tail spoiler and underside air diffusers designed to produce zero lift and an aerodynamic coefficient of drag even lower than the standard 0.29 Cd. The Infineon circuit, draped over Sonoma hills with blind curves and daunting descents, scores as one of the most challenging race courses in the world. However, our G35 demonstrates that it has the right balance between poise and power to run swift laps in a playful manner. Chassis, with wheels loaded to 47 percent of the weight up front and 53 percent sent to the rear, is easy to control through throttle steering as we drift through the track's carousel, a long left sweeper. It acts like a squatty go-kart -- low against the pavement with wheels pushed to corner points for keen stability and all torque from the up-front engine flowing in classic arrangement to the rear pair for predictable and controllable traction. Yet it's also a vehicle of generous scale trimmed in the fine materials of a luxury car. That's the seemingly contradictory aspect driving Infiniti's concept for the G35 coupe: It's one vehicle that's plush and feels so good to use yet also romps so quickly and becomes such fun to drive. And it's so sleek and smooth, appearing downright exotic -- as in expensive. The wedge-shaped format -- windswept lines with muscular shoulders and flat flanks chiseled from painted metal and glittery chrome, plastic and tinted glass -- convey an aggressive image of strength and power and speed. But the four-place cabin, with form-fitting seats and electronic gizmos governing navigation, communications, safety, stereo sound and the interior climate, portray a different image, one of refinement and comfort. There are three variations. Base issue, labeled Coupe 5A/T, stocks the five-speed automatic transmission and has cockpit seats upholstered in cloth fabric. It lists for $29,100, plus $545 for delivery. Cover the seats in soft leather hides to reach the next edition, Coupe 5A/T Leather, marked to $31,400. Top sport edition retains the leather and adds the six-speed gearbox as the Coupe 6M/T. Its MSRP pins at $32,050. All three contain extensive safety gear including side-impact and curtain-style air bags, plus comfort systems like air conditioning and power for windows, mirrors and locks. Optional equipment clusters in packages. The Premium Package ($2,250) brings a sunroof, twin zones for climate controls, driver's seat memory and a Bose 225-watt audio system. A Performance Tire and Wheel Package ($600) adds a limited-slip differential with the 18-inch wheels and tires, and the Aero Package ($550) installs the spoiler and diffusers. Also, a DVD-based navigation system ($2,000) comes with a retractable dashboard monitor, and satellite radio ($400) is available from either XM or Sirius subscription-based service. MORE DATA   Where Built: Japan Seating: 4 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: 182.2 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: 3,416 Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Applicable Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 20.0 Destination Charge: $545