2008 INFINITI G37

click above image to view high-res gallery In Seattle and again at Pebble Beach, Autoblog got behind the wheel of the new Infiniti G37 Coupe. The new G didn't go to the gym or to BALCO-merely pumping up would have been the easy route. It disappeared to some secluded mixed martial arts school in the mountains and came back with a bit more muscle, coordination, and reflexes. Click read to get the full story, and check out the gallery with a few more detailed pics of the car. %Gallery-6826% %Gallery-2209% click any image to enlarge Iconic status is usually half ordained, half accidental fortune, and as long as there have been icons, the question has been: what does an icon do for round two? Those responsible for the ordained portion need to make sure any changes remain in the good graces of Fortuna. Consequently, things usually remain heavy on the iconic, and light on the evolution. In the G's case, the evolution is not a cheap shot or a copout. I quite liked the previous generation's styling -- and so did a lot of other people. It squared the Z off perfectly. Exterior styling is the number two reason consumers give for buying a G Coupe, so it was especially important not to turn them off. All of the previous edges are gone, the G having been worked over by a team armed with dueling compasses and protractors. Where it was straight before, it is curved now -- in some cases, downright swoopy -- though its predecessor can still be seen. Infiniti calls it "kinetic feeling with emotional surface expression." We call it different, but still good-looking. It's also longer and wider than the previous car, which is meant to be "indicative of the power and technology of the vehicle." We will, again, stick with good looking. I also especially liked the tail on the G35, that horizontal slab balanced on the decklid. It has also been retired, replaced by a chromed lip that, if you've ordered the navigation, also houses the rear view camera. Kyle Bazemore, Infiniti PR man, said that there was a decided split of opinion on that part of the revised design. It won't turn anyone off, but it's an interesting change. The true evolution is hidden by that bodywork, because the engine and the interior are what Infiniti really put work into. Infiniti pitches the G Coupe against the BMW 3-Series, and with young affluent professionals as the target, they have thrown more chips into the fit-and-finish pot. Inside it's quintessential Inifiniti, with electroluminescent dials tucked in their cowl, and to the right, the familiar center console stack. Aluminum alloy trim is now finished in with a Japanese Washi paper pattern, and African Rosewood trim is also available. Some folks liked it, some folks thought it looked scratched, and some other folks said if nothing else, it would hide scratches. The seats are beautiful to look at, and while a bit narrow (at least for …
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