2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible Review

2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible - Drop top.

By: Dan Jedlicka

Nissan's upscale Infiniti division hasn't had a convertible since the ice age--or, more specifically, since its short-lived 1991-92 M30 soft top.

The boxy, underpowered M30 convertible was soon forgottten. But the long-awaited 2009 rear-drive G37 looks as sharp with the top up as does the racy, highly rated G37 coupe from which it is derived. To many, it probably will look sexier with the top down.

Infiniti says the G37 drop-top isn't just a G37 coupe with the roof removed because everything from the windshield posts back is new, including a revised rear suspension system. The rear deck, fascia and taillights are exclusive to the convertible, although. Infiniti says the car is still "unmistakably an Infiniti G." In fact, Infiniti says it will advertise the convertible as part of its "G" line, instead of promoting it separately.

The G37 convertible goes on sale June 19. Infiniti says it will be priced in the "mid-$40,000 to $50,0000" range. The G37 coupe costs from $35,900 to $38,700.

A clever three-piece retractable hardtop design with a clamshell configuration allowed Infiniti to make almost no change in rear overhang or trunk height. That's because the G37's roof panels are shuffled and inverted for more efficient trunk stacking. It takes about 28 seconds to get the top down or up and it "disappears" when down.

Some rivals use a retractable hardtop design that adds to rear overhang and trunk height, hurting their overall proportions.

An afternoon drive on winding mountain roads and freeways in the Los Angeles area during a media preview of the G37 convertible showed the car to be solid and virtually flex-free. Structural reinforcements give it a tight, vibration-free body.

Steering was a little heavy, but quick. The car adroitly handled curvy, twisting mountain roads, which sometimes tilted at odd angles, and it delivered a comfortable ride. Strong brakes are controlled by a pedal with a progressive action.

Hard chargers can opt for the Sport Package, which has 19-inch wheels (18-inchers are standard), unique front fascia, lower-profile tires, even stronger brakes, sport-tuned steering, front sport seats and aluminum pedals and footrest.

Those who don't want the Sport Package can get the 19-inch wheels and lower-profile tires in an optional Performance Tire and Wheel package.

Lower-profile tires are wider and thus put more rubber on the road for better handling and braking. But the 19-inch wheels can be scraped at curbs because tires on them have thin sidewalls that don't prevent such scraping. Also, the G37 convertible's low front end also can be damaged when pulling up to low parking barriers at, say, the local 7-Eleven.

The G37 convertible is well-equipped, but nevertheless is offered with various option packages. One is the Technology Package, which has intelligent cruise control to help prevent rear-end collisions and a navigation package with voice recognition.

The new Infiniti is plenty fast, with a 3.7-liter, 325-horsepower V-6, compared with 330 in the coupe. It emits a throaty exhaust note through dual exhausts and shoots power through a responsive six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission with an easily easily used manual-shift feature.

Estimated fuel economy is 16 mpg in the city and 24 on highways with the manual and 17 and 25 with the automatic At 4,095 pounds, the convertible weighs 453 pounds more than the G37 coupe, which gets slightly better economy. To keep acceleration lively, the convertible's final-drive ratio has been numerically increased to compensate for the added weight.

A large, sharply raked windshield and optional wind deflector behind the headrests reduces wind turbulence up front with the top down at legal highway speeds.

Pop-up roll bars are among safety features.

Infiniti knows these aren't the best of economic times to introduce a premium convertible, but feels its new model will take some 20 percent of G-Series sales. It says that's partly because the new car arrives in time for summer and that convertible buyers are a special breed who love top-down driving.

Besides, Infiniti hasn't had a convertible for so long that its drop-top model is something new on the market.

Infiniti characterizes the G37 convertible as a "car for all seasons." Its optional Premium package contains an adaptive climate control system that automates fan speed and air volume to deliver optimal heating or cooling, top up or down any time of year. That package also has a Bose Open Air sound system with such items as front headrest speakers that automatically compensates for noise and car speed during top-down motoring.

Front seats have standard heating but optional cooling.

The G37 retractable hard top is aimed at the BMW 3-Series power retractable hardtop, which costs from $44,300 for the base model to $66,150 for the hot rod M3..However, the top limit for the 3-Series convertible is usually $50,400 for the 335i model. Infiniti says 3-Series convertible sales sometimes account for 50 percent of 3-Series total sales.

Cargo room in the Infiniti's nicely shaped trunk is pretty good with the top up, thanks to the retractable top design and revised rear suspension. But there's little trunk space when the top is down.

Long, heavy doors makes entry and exit a hassle in tight spots. Outside door handles are large, but inside ones are small.

There's good room up front in supportive seats, but rear-seat room is tight. for adults, who will not want to sit there for anything but short trips. It helps to move the front seats very far forward, but safety belts get in the way when entering or leaving the rear.

The leather interior is quiet with the top up, and a seamless fabric headliner gives the feeling that you're in a coupe when it's raised. Standard silk obi aluminum trim helps give it a rich look. (African rosewood is optional.) Gauges can be easily read, except for the odometer, and radio and climate controls aren't difficult to use.

The Infiniti G37 convertible promises to be a hit. It offers top-down driving kicks and hardtop security while being a classy boulevard cruiser that is plenty sporty.

Visit DanJedlicka.com where veteran auto writer Dan Jedlicka reviews the latest cars and trucks in an easily understood but detailed manner. In addition, Dan's Web site also includes colorful classic and collectible car articles, a letters column and candid interviews with auto-field personalities.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka's Website

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

For more reviews from Dan, visit Facebook.

2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible Review

2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible - Drop top.

Dan Jedlicka

Find Used Cars in Chicago or Chicago Car Dealers at DriveChicago.com

Navigation

Site Links

Privacy & Security