The Hyperlogos

2007 Infiniti G35 Coupe

Nissan has has a long history of Corvette-killing. The 1971 Datsun 240Z caused Corvette sales to drop to basically nothing because, for less than half the price, you could get a car that had about the same power to weight ratio, far lower weight, thus dramatically superior handling... and with air conditioning. The original (1984) 300ZX Turbo had only 205 horsepower... which is exactly what the 'vette had in the same year, but the 300ZX doesn't have the problem of generating lift at high speeds like the Corvette. 1991 brought us a new, twin-turbo 300ZX with 300 horsepower.

None of these cars, however, had any counterpart. They were sold as a single model, and they were very successful. Since those days, Nissan has introduced a more upscale marque, Infiniti, in order to sell high-end cars to stupid Americans. You see, the US is the only place where people are stupid enough to believe that Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury are actually different companies; by the same token, we can believe the same thing about Nissan and Infiniti. In fact, we (as a nation - I'm not included in this) are dumb enough to believe that slapping that fancier name on the car makes the car somehow better.

Thus, Nissan has now been put in the position of selling the same car at multiple prices, and Americans are only too happy to oblige, and pay for them. However, unlike most multiple-marque offerings, there are actually some substantial differences between versions of some Japanese cars. One such vehicle is the Infiniti G35 Coupe. Formerly known as the G35 Sport Coupe, this car is also sold under two other names; the Nissan 350Z, and the JDM-only Nissan Skyline V35.

Regardless of where you find it, the various incarnations of this vehicle have some things in common. In any of these vehicles, and in many others besides, the new VQ35HR 3.5 liter V6 puts out 298 peak horsepower. It can be had with this level of output when coupled to a six-speed manual transmission that comes complete with a dual-mass flywheel, or with only 280 horsepower when attached to a five-speed automatic. The suspension, overall body design, and all other basic characteristics are the same between these assorted vehicles, and the only differences are cosmetic; what kind of interior is used, which front end, which door handles, which tail lights, et cetera. All four wheels on all models use an aluminum-alloy multilink system, which provides the maximum space savings, minimum weight impact, and is in general the best system money can buy... or design. Earlier vehicles had only 276 peak horsepower, but this got bumped up after only a couple of years.

350Z and G35C Door Handles: 350Z on left; G35 Coupe on right

One thing that automobile enthusiasts notice immediately when the two cars are side by side is the difference in their door handles. The G35 has some lovely little flush door handles that are barely visible at a distance, while the 350Z has some big, goofy, My First Sony-looking things that would be more at home on a video game system. Another serious standout is the gauge cluster, which also looks like a toy on the G35, but which is exquisitely styled and easily readable in the G35. Other interior and exterior elements look much the same between vehicles, except for the front fascia, which is substantially more rectangular on the 350Z, again making it look more like a toy.

Regardless, of the options available in the US, the G35 Coupe is by far the model to buy, unless you want to buy a non-base model of the 350Z, for example, the Track package model.

Specifications

Nissan VQ35HR

• Engine
  
  • Old Powerplant
    
    • Model: VQ35HR
    • Displacement: 3.5 liter/213.6 ci
    • Valves: 4/cylinder
    • Cams: DOHC
    • Cam timing: Variable on intake
    • Fuel: Unleaded (Premium?)
    • Fuel delivery: MPFI
    • Aspiration: Normal
    • Max Power: 275 bhp / 205 KW
    • Max Torque: 352 Nm / 260 ft lbs
  • Automatic-Trans Models
    
    • Model: VQ35HR
    • Displacement: 3.5 liter/213.6 ci
    • Valves: 4/cylinder
    • Cams: DOHC
    • Cam timing: Variable on intake
    • Fuel: Unleaded (Premium?)
    • Fuel delivery: MPFI
    • Aspiration: Normal
    • Max Power: 280 hp @ 6,200 rpm
    • Max Torque: 270 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
  • Manual-Trans Models
    
    • Model: VQ35HR
    • Displacement: 3.5 liter/213.6 ci
    • Valves: 4/cylinder
    • Cams: DOHC
    • Cam timing: Variable on intake and exhaust
    • Fuel: Unleaded (Premium?)
    • Fuel delivery: MPFI
    • Aspiration: Normal
    • Max Power: 298 hp @ 6,400 rpm
    • Max Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
• Transmission
  
  • Automatic
    
    • Speeds: 5
    • Features: manual shift mode, downshift rev matching
  • Manual
    
    • Speeds: 6
    • Features: short throw shifter, dual-mass flywheel
• Suspension
  
  • Front: Independent, forged aluminum multi-link with coil springs over ripple-control shock absorbers, stabilizer bar.
  • Rear: Independent, forged aluminum multi-link with coil springs, ripple-control shock absorbers, stabilizer bar.
  • Steering: Engine-speed-sensitive variable-assist power rack-and-pinion
  • Turning diameter: 37.4 feet
• Wheels
  
  • Standard
    
    • Wheel size (both): 17x7.5
    • Wheel type: aluminum alloy
    • Tires (front): 225/50R17 (V-rated)
    • Tires (rear): 235/50R17 (V-rated)
  • Performance package
    
    • Wheel size (both): 18x8
    • Wheel type: aluminum alloy
    • Tires (front): 225/45R18 (W-rated, summer)
    • Tires (rear): 245/45R18 (W-rated, summer)
  • Sport-tuned package
    
    • Wheel size (front): 19x8
    • Wheel size (rear): 19x8.5
    • Wheel type: aluminum alloy with titanium finish
    • Tires (front): 225/40R19 (Y-rated, summer)
    • Tires (rear): 245/40R19 (Y-rated, summer)
• Brakes
  
  • Front: 12.6 x 1.1-inch ventilated discs
  • Rear: 12.1 x 0.6-inch ventilated discs
• Dimensions
  
  • Exterior
    
    • Coefficient of drag (Cd): 0.29 (0.28 with Aero Package)
    • Track (front): 60.4 inches
    • Track (rear): 60.6 inches
    • Track (rear with 18" wheel): 60.8 inches
    • Height
      
      • With 17-inch wheels: 54.8 inches
      • With 18-inch wheels: 55.1 inches
      • With 19-inch wheels: 55.1 inches
    • Overall width: 71.5 inches
    • Overall length: 182.2 inches
    • Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
  • Interior
    
    • Headroom
      
      • Without sunroof (front): 39.2 inches
      • Without sunroof (rear): 34.7 inches
      • With sunroof (front): 37.9 inches
      • With sunroof (rear): 34.7 inches
    • Legroom (front): 43.8 inches
    • Legroom (rear): 31.4 inches
    • Shoulder room (front): 53.7 inches
    • Shoulder room (rear): 52.7 inches
    • Hip room (front): 53.6 inches
    • Hip room (rear): 48.0 inches
• Capacities and Weights
  
  • Interior volume (without sunroof): 86.6 cubic feet
  • Interior volume (with sunroof): 84.9 cubic feet
  • Cargo volume: 7.8 cubic feet (with temporary spare tire)
  • Fuel capacity: 20.0 gallons
  • Curb weight:
    • Automatic Trans: 3,505 lb
    • Manual Trans: 3,524 lb
  • Weight distribution: 54/46 percent (front/rear)

Models

Packages

Options/Accessories

References:

1. "V35 Nissan Skyline Sedans." JB car pages. 2004. JB car pages. 2004. <http://www.jbskyline.net/V35/Sedans/>.
2. "Nissan Skyline." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 29 Aug 2006, 12:18 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 29 Aug 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nissan_Skyline&oldid=72593019>.
3. "Nissan Skyline V35." sailorDR. 2004. Everything2. 2004. <http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1390281>.
4. "History." Skylines Downunder. 29 Aug 2006, 8:27 PST. Skylines Downunder. 29 Aug 2006, 8:27 PST. <http://www.skylinesdownunder.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=40>.
5. "Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe." Ultimatecarpage.com. 12 Jan 2004. Ultimatecarpage.com. <http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=1299>.
6. "New-generation V6 Engines, Nissan." Technology news daily. 29 Aug 2006, 8:27 PST. Technolody news daily. 29 Aug 2006 <http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/4184>.
7. "2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe - Specifications." Infiniti website. 29 Aug 2006, 8:27 PST. Infiniti. 29 Aug 2006 <http://www.infiniti.com/g_coupe/specifications.html>.