2011 Infiniti G37 Convertible Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Infiniti G overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 G, and includes Infiniti G safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

Infiniti has announced the arrival of a new entry-level G-Series model for 2011. The new G25 Sedan is designed to slot under the G37 Sedan, sharing most of the G37’s amenities but fitted with a smaller 2.5-liter, 218-horsepower V6 engine. That’s a whopping 110 ponies short of the G37. The standard, and only, transmission is a seven-speed automatic.

In other news, Infiniti has released a Sport Appearance package for the G37 Sedan. It builds upon the G37 Journey by adding 18-inch alloy wheels, a power moonroof, a Bose premium audio system, and more. A new G37 Sedan Limited Edition builds on the Sport Appearance Package with special 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a Midnight Black grille, exclusive Monaco Red leather, and just about every possible option available on other G37 models.

The 2011 G37 Coupe and Convertible are both facelift recipients (following last year's lead from the Sedan) and the all-wheel drive Coupe may now be configured with the Sport Package. The 18- and 19-inch wheels feature a new design, and the Navigation Package is now standard on the G37 Sport Coupe 6MT.

The new Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) brand also launches within the G lineup for 2011. The IPL G Coupe includes a tweaked 348-horsepower V6 engine and performance suspension, visual enhancements, and every single option offered on a G Coupe. Upgraded brake pads are available as an option, and the IPL G Coupe is offered with an automatic or manual transmission.

The Infiniti G-Series includes coupe, convertible and sedan body styles and G25 or G37 models offered in several levels of specification. Honestly, it’s almost impossible to keep them straight. Sedans are offered in G25, G25 Journey, G25x, G37 Journey, G37x, and G37S Sport 6MT trims. Coupes come in G37, G37 Journey, G37x, G37S Sport 6MT, IPL G Coupe, and IPL G Coupe 6MT. Convertibles, refreshingly, are simple with just G37 and G37S Sport 6MT models available.

Just because it is an entry-level model, don't expect that the G25 Sedan arrives light on equipment. According to Infiniti, the G25 Sedan’s extensive list of standard equipment includes leather, real aluminum interior trim, an eight-way power driver’s seat, single-zone automatic climate control, a premium audio system with satellite radio and a CD player, Intelligent Key keyless entry and push-button ignition, Xenon headlights, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. The G37 Coupe is equipped the same way, but includes bigger 18-inch alloys.

Get the G25 Journey, and the car comes with Bluetooth, a USB port, dual-zone climate control, an eight-way power front passenger’s seat, automatic headlights, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, a HomeLink universal remote, and a reversing camera system. The G37 Journey Sedan and G37 Journey Coupe are equipped this same way, and the G25x Sedan, G37x Sedan, and G37x Coupe all come standard with Journey trim plus an all-wheel-drive system with a Snow Mode that allows the power split to be locked evenly between the front and rear wheels.

Next up is the G37 Convertible. It doesn’t have “Journey” in its name, but it comes with all the same stuff and rolls on standard 18-inch wheels. Additionally, the G37 Convertible includes an Adaptive Climate Control system that, when the top is lowered, automatically adjusts temperature and fan speed based on the outside temperature and the vehicle’s speed.

The G37S Sport 6MT model is aimed at driving enthusiasts, and comes in coupe, convertible, and sedan body styles. In addition to a six-speed manual gearbox, the G37S Sport 6MT includes a limited-slip rear differential, sport tuned steering and suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires (19-inch wheels on the G37 Coupe and Convertible), a 12-way power driver’s sport seat, an eight-way power front passenger’s sport seat, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, memory for multiple driving positions, and slightly revised styling inside and out. Additionally, this model includes a power sunroof (coupe and sedan), a Bose Studio on Wheels premium sound system, a 9.3 GB Music Box hard-drive, a navigation system with lane guidance and 3-D imaging, real-time weather and traffic, and a rear sonar sensing system.

The IPL G Coupe takes the performance treatment a step further. This model gets a massaged V6 engine that makes 348 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and 276 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm, and is available with a seven-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. A performance suspension, performance brakes, a true dual exhaust system, and a body kit are also included. Everything is standard on this model, except for special high-friction brake pads, a black grille treatment, and a handful of minor upgrades.

That brings us to the options list. The G25 Journey and G25x can be equipped with a power sunroof. That’s it. Once you’ve decided to get a G37 of some flavor, there are multiple option packages that can be added.

First up is the Premium Package, which includes items such as a Bose Studio on Wheels sound system with a 2 GB Music Box hard drive, a power sunroof, rear parking sonar, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and memory settings for the driver. A Navigation Package includes a navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic and weather information, and a larger 9.3 GB Music Box. A Technology Package adds rain-sensing wipers, a climate control system with a Plasmacluster air purifier, pre-crash front seatbelts, and an intelligent cruise control system. A Sport Package adds everything from the “6MT” models except the 6MT part, replacing the stick shift with an automatic equipped with genuine magnesium paddle shifts. A Performance Tire and Wheel Package adds 18-inch alloys to the G37 Sedan and 19-inch wheels to the G37 Coupe and Convertible. Finally, an Interior Accents Package replaces the real aluminum cabin trim with glossy Maple wood décor.

With the introduction of the G25 Sedan to the lineup, the Infiniti G is available with two different engines. The new 2.5-liter V6 engine makes 218 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, and is offered only with a seven-speed automatic transmission. An intelligent all-wheel-drive system is available, and this model is called the G25x.

G37 models are equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 engine in various states of tune, which results is slight variance between body styles in terms of horsepower and torque. In summary, the G37 makes between 325 and 330 horsepower and 267 and 270 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission delivers the power to the rear or all four wheels, and G37S Sport 6MT models are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The IPL G Coupe gets a stronger version of the 3.7-liter V6 engine that’s installed in the G37 models. Tuned to produce 348 horsepower at 7,400 rpm and 276 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm, the IPL G Coupe is a little bit stronger than a regular old G37S Sport 6MT Coupe, but not much. At least it’s easier to say.

All Infiniti G models are designed to operate on premium fuel. When it comes to fuel efficiency, the G25 is the mileage champ at 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. In G25x guise, the numbers drop to 19-city/27-highway. As expected, the more powerful G37 uses more fuel. Ratings for the coupe and sedan are 19-city/27-highway with the automatic transmission and 17/25 with the manual gearbox. The G37x is expected to return 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The G37 Convertible’s fuel economy ratings are 17-city/25-highway with the automatic and 16/24 with the manual gearbox. The EPA hasn’t rated the IPL G Coupe as this review is written, but Infiniti claims it’ll get 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with the automatic transmission and 17/25 with the manual gearbox.

The Infiniti G is equipped with the basic safety equipment expected on any luxury model. Notably, the G37 Convertible’s side airbags are designed to provide protection similar to the side curtains that are standard on the coupe and sedan models by deploying from the door panels and inflating upward. The G37 Convertible is also equipped with rear pop-up roll bars and reinforced windshield pillars. A reversing camera is standard on all models except the base G25 Sedan and G37 Coupe, and all G37 models can be equipped with a Technology Package that includes intelligent cruise control, preview braking with pre-crash seatbelts, and rain-sensing wipers.

This year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has revised the way it conducts crash tests, and has not evaluated the G Series using its new guidelines that are designed to make it more difficult to achieve 5-Star crash-test ratings. In tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the G Sedan does not perform as well as might be expected. Ratings of Good in the frontal- and side-impact evaluations are impressive, but rear-impact injury prevention is rated as Marginal. The IIHS gives the G Sedan an Acceptable rating for its roof crush strength.

As far as reliability is concerned, both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates expect the Infiniti G to provide better than average reliability over time.

When Infiniti launched its G Series in 2003, the lineup was quite simple. Consumers merely had to choose between a sedan and coupe, and whether or not they wanted leather and a manual transmission. Today, there are more than a dozen models in the lineup, including all-wheel drive options and a convertible with a folding hardtop. The good news is that all of them are expected to be dependable, and each offers great value when compared to similar luxury-sport models from noted high-line European competitors.

By Michael Harley