2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan Features New 328-Horsepower 3.7-Liter V6 Engine and
10/17/2008
Infiniti
Just two years after a total redesign, the ground-breaking second-generation Infiniti G Sedan takes another leap forward for the 2009 model year with the addition of a new, larger 328-horsepower 3.7-liter "VVEL" V6 and 7-speed automatic transmission (as appropriate for a cutting-edge performance sports sedan, it is also available with a 6-speed manual transmission).
Now designated as the Infiniti G37 Sedan, other enhancements for 2009 include new available sport brakes with 4-piston front/2-piston rear calipers and large 14-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors (G37S Sport 6MT, G37S Journey with Sport Package); new 18-inch wheels (G37S Sport 6MT, G37x with Sport Package, G37S Journey with Sport Package); standard Scratch Shield paint (self-healing clearcoat paint finish) and two new exterior colors - Sahara Sandstone and Moonlight White; and revised interior trim, including softer touch lower door panels, brighter "Washi" aluminum trim color and a redesigned (dial type) seat heater switch.
The 2009 G37 Sedan is available in four models - G37 Sedan, G37 Sedan Journey, G37S Sedan Sport 6MT and G37x Sedan AWD.
"The new G37 Sedan is the perfect stable-mate in the Infiniti lineup to the 2009 G37 Coupe, offering buyers groundbreaking style, performance and soul in a choice of two or four doors," said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti. "The enhancements for 2009 are significant and should help keep the G Sedan at the head of the performance sport sedan pack."
The G37 Sedan's strikingly seductive exterior continues to be defined by its sleek wave form hood, signature G-style taillights and raked A-pillars and athletic stance - along with new, smaller outside mirrors adopted from the G37 Coupe. Inside, the G37 Sedan offers a crafted, heritage-inspired interior environment and luxury features such as standard leather-appointed seating and an audiophile-quality Infiniti Studio on Wheels(TM) by Bose(R), which combines Bose's first 3-way front door speaker array using 10-inch woofers with a head unit incorporating double oversampling 24-bit Burr Brown(R) Digital Audio Converters.
The G37 Sedan's new engine combines with the second-generation FM (Front Mid-ship) platform - featuring a 4-wheel independent suspension with lightweight aluminum components - to provide responsive acceleration and agile handling. The G37x AWD adds Infiniti's "intelligent" ATTESA E-TS(TM) all-wheel drive system.
Advanced technologies include standard Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and available RearView Monitor; a touch screen Infiniti Navigation System with XM NavTraffic(R) real-time traffic information (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately) and 9.3GB Music Hard Drive; Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS); and Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking.
Sporty, Sensual Styling
The 2009 G37 Sedan is visually striking, sharing a strong resemblance to the sporty G37 Coupe. Like the G Coupe, the Sedan features a long, wave-like hood, raked A-pillars and athletic stance - projecting a balance of power and grace that is suggestive of the performance potential within. The front of the G Sedan is highlighted by its L-shaped headlights and dramatic Infiniti signature grille with sculpted "twisted" horizontal blades inspired by traditional Japanese swords. High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights with fog lights are standard, while an Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), which automatically controls the headlight lighting pattern according to steering angle and vehicle speed to help provide better visibility at night, is optional.
The silhouette offers a wedged roofline and a sweeping bodyside character line that emphasizes both the rich shoulder surfaces and the G's rear-wheel drive orientation.
In the rear, the refined, evolutional L-shaped LED taillights express the G heritage and the Infiniti design identity. The trunk lid is accented by an integrated spoiler, while prominent dual exhaust outlets complete the sporty appearance.
The G37 Sport 6MT and Sport Package-equipped G37 Journey and G37x AWD models offer a unique front fascia and side sills, as well as 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires. A full rear spoiler is also available.
A Crafted Interior Environment
The 2009 G37 Sedan's interior has been treated to subtle enhancements to provide an even higher quality feel, including "softer touch" materials on the lower door areas, a brighter color to the unique "Washi"-style textured aluminum trim (now matching the G37 Coupe) and such attention to detail as redesigning the seat heater switches. Unchanged is the G's harmony between the dedicated driver's cockpit and comfortable passenger space - and between modern technology and traditional Japanese design cues. The result is a "modern warmth" that is unique in the sport sedan segment.
"Traditionally, there have been two schools of thought in sport sedan interiors - cold, machine-like precision or soft, indulgent luxury," said Igo. "In the G Sedan we've found a way to thoroughly engage the driver, while embracing passengers with finely crafted hospitality."
The driver's area has a simple, intuitive layout with easy-to-read electroluminescent gauges with white-and-violet instrumentation. A center information display, located between the tachometer and speedometer, conveys updates from the drive computer (average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel economy, average speed, elapsed time, running distance, distance to empty, outside air temperature, warning displays, odometer and automatic transmission shift indicator). The G's steering wheel is double-stitched by hand - a process that takes more than an hour to complete. The benefit is significant, allowing the stitches to be moved away from where the driver's hands rest for a smoother, improved feel.
Another unique feature of the G Sedan is its available 10-speaker Infiniti Studio on Wheels(TM) by Bose(R) Premium Audio System, combining a 3-way front door speaker array using 10-inch woofers with an audiophile-quality head unit incorporating double oversampling 24-bit 96KHz Burr Brown(R) Digital Audio Converters.
The G's optional touch screen Infiniti Navigation System features available XM NavTraffic(R) with real-time traffic information and a 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive. Other technologies include standard Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, standard 7.0-inch color monitor display, available Infiniti Interface System for iPod(R) and Driver's Audio Stage, standard XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately), available RearView Monitor and Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System.
All 2009 G37s come equipped with standard leather-appointed seating in a choice of Wheat (except Sport-equipped vehicles), Stone or Graphite. Along with the standard Washi-style aluminum trim, premium genuine wood (straight-grained African Rosewood) accents (center console, instrument panel and doors) are optionally available. New for 2009, wood trim can be added to Sport Package-equipped G37 Journey models.
A New 328-Horsepower V6
While the G Sedan has been known since inception for its exhilarating, balanced dynamic performance, for 2009 it receives an injection of pure power with the addition of a new 3.7-liter V6. Based on the award-winning VQ-series V6, which has been named one of the "Ten Best Engines" by Ward's Auto World magazine for 14 consecutive years, the new VQ37HR "VVEL" engine is rated at 328 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque (increases of 22 horsepower and 1 lb-ft of torque over the 2008 G35 Sedan's 3.5-liter V6).
The G37 Coupe's VVEL system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to help improve performance and response. The VVEL system also offers improved emissions and fuel efficiency over the previous 3.5-liter V6 design. The VVEL intake camshafts, featuring continuously variable lift control teamed with the Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS), allow for a 7,600 rpm redline.
The engine also features increased cylinder block height (from the previous 3.5-liter design), ladder frame construction for greater rigidity, large crank journal and pin diameters, asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, an electronically controlled "drive-by-wire" throttle system, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, Iridium spark plugs and a symmetric twin air intake system. The specially tuned dual exhaust system features equal length exhaust manifolds and low muffler exhaust backpressure to help improve engine breathing. Both intake and exhaust enhance driving pleasure with their authentic performance notes.
To help take full advantage of the new 3.7-liter V6, the G37 Sedan now comes with a standard (except for the G37S Sport 6MT model) 7-speed automatic transmission with Downshift Rev Matching, Drive Sport mode and ASC (Adaptive Shift Control) that allows for sportier shifts in performance driving situations. Solid magnesium paddle shifters are offered as part of the Sport Package for G37 Journey and G37x AWD models. The G37S Sport 6MT is again offered with a smooth-shifting, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
"It is important to us to offer the G Sedan with a choice of transmissions - the 6-speed manual for the pure sports enthusiasts and our new 7-speed automatic that, especially when combined with the available steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, provides nearly the same high level of driver control," said Igo.
Along with the 3.7-liter engine, the G37 Sedan also shares the G37 Coupe's advanced second-generation FM platform, which locates the engine behind the front axle in the "Front Mid-ship" position. The positioning of the engine provides good front-to-rear weight balance, while the combination of long wheelbase, manageable overall length and wide front and rear track adds to the G Sedan's overall handling stability.
The G37's suspension is a 4-wheel independent design with lightweight aluminum components and front and rear stabilizer bars, designed to provide nimble and natural feeling handling, as well as a controlled, refined ride. The front suspension minimizes alignment changes through use of a single pivot lower wishbone and a long upper link.
The rear suspension design separates the shock absorbers and springs, locating the shock absorber inline with the wheel center to help reduce suspension friction and reduce the wind-up motion of the axle on acceleration.
Infiniti G37 Sport 6MT and Sport Package-equipped RWD models offer an optional Four-Wheel Active Steer system, which helps improve vehicle handling performance by varying the front steering ratio and adjusting the geometry of the rear suspension according to steering input and vehicle speed.
The 2009 G37 Sedan is also offered with a state-of-the-art "intelligent" all-wheel drive system. The G37x AWD model features Infiniti's ATTESA E-TS(R) (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system, which is also utilized on the G37x AWD Coupe, M35x, M45x, EX35 AWD and FX35/FX50 AWD models. The system utilizes an active torque distribution management system with an active center clutch designed for smooth starts and better traction and maneuverability on snowy roads than conventional all-wheel drive systems, plus minimal compromise of rear-wheel drive performance characteristics on dry roads.
All 2009 G37s, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, come with standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), helping to enhance vehicle stability under a variety of driving conditions, while Viscous Limited Slip Differential (VLSD) is included on RWD G37 Sport Package-equipped vehicles. VSLD is standard on the G37S Sport 6MT.
The G's brake system utilizes power-assisted 4-wheel vented disc brakes with 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). New, larger brakes with 4-piston front/2-piston rear calipers are standard on the G37 Journey with Sport Package and G37S Sport 6MT. Also available is a Preview Braking system (with Intelligent Cruise Control). The power steering system is a vehicle-speed-sensing design, which provides optimum steering effort at both high and low vehicle speeds.
The 2009 G37 features standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P225/55R17 tires, and new 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 225/50R18 front and P245/45R18 rear W-rated tires on the G35 Sport 6MT and Sport Package-equipped G37 Journey models. An 18-inch Wheel and Tire Package with P225/50R18 tires is available on the G37 Journey (non-Sport Package) and G37x AWD (as part of the Sport Package). A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is standard on all 2009 G37 Sedans.
All 2009 G37 Sedans come equipped with Infiniti's Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors is standard, along with roof-mounted side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection and roof-mounted side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection. Also standard are 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's side ELR only) and front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors, front seat Active Head Restraints and the LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). Brake-Operated Pre-Crash Seat Belts are available as part of the Technology Package. The G37 Sedan also features Zone Body Construction with front and rear crushable zones to help disperse crash energy around the passenger compartment.
Four Well-Equipped Models
The 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan is available in four models - G37, G37 Journey, G37x AWD and G37 Sport 6MT. In addition to the long list of standard and available equipment on the G37, G37 Journey and G37x AWD models, G35 Sport 6MT models (as well as G37 Journey and G37x models equipped with the Sport Package) add drilled aluminum pedals, sport seats with thigh extensions and driver's power bolster adjustments, upgraded brakes (not available on G37x) and Viscous Limited Slip Differential, along with magnesium paddle shifters on automatic transmission models.
Several options and packages are available for the 2009 G37 Sedan, including the Premium Package, Sport Package (G37 Journey and G35x AWD), Wheel and Tire Package RWD, Premium Package, Moonroof, Navigation Package, Technology Package, Four-Wheel Active Steer Package, Rear Spoiler and Wood Trim.