There’s much lore and drama behind the name “Skyline” but that’s exactly what the Infiniti G37 was known as in Japan. Although many tuners and enthusiasts were aghast at this naming convention, the Infiniti G37 was one of the most significant performance sedans to ever roam the streets.
What made the Infiniti G37 so legendary? The answer is simple: The Infiniti G37 blurred the lines between sports cars and luxury sedans without compromising affordability.
It mixed together with the best of everything: it was sporty and offered performance and handling, it was comfortable and spacious enough to daily drive, and it offered many luxuries and tech features shared by vehicles that were much more expensive at the time.
The Infiniti G37 wasn’t just another vehicle for sale, either, it fits into the history of Infiniti and Nissan, continuing on a legacy created decades prior and continuing to be an icon in the automotive community and well-loved amongst enthusiasts.
It shares a place in motorsports as drift vehicles, takes the stage at shows with an enjoyably customizable platform, and was so ahead of its time that you would still enjoy driving one today.
Let’s talk all about the G37.
Development & History
First generation: 2008 — 2011
The first generation of the Infiniti G37 sees the introduction of the luxury sedan beginning in 2008 as the official replacement for the still-popular G35. It was offered with the 3.7-liter V6 producing 328 hp.
Enthusiasts loved its offering of a 6-speed manual transmission, but buyers could also opt for a quick shifting 7-speed automatic as well.
The option for a manual also clocked in as a slightly better performance variant, with a 0 – 60 mph of 5.8 seconds compared to the automatics 6 seconds, and a top speed of 155 mph in contrast to the latter’s 151 mph.
Second generation: 2011 — 2013
The Infiniti G was already making a name for itself and only got better with the revamped second generation.
These years sacrificed a bit of power to improve fuel economy, housing a smaller 2.5-liter engine under the hood as standard equipment that still provided a decent amount of performance at 218 hp with the stalwart 3.7 liter VQ as the optional powerplant.
This generation was only offered with a 7-speed automatic transmission but gave buyers the option to stay with the already-established rear-wheel-drive platform or upgrade to a newer all-wheel-drive system.
Third generation: 2013 — 2014
In this generation, we see the re-emergence of the 3.7-liter V6 that buyers loved from the original model years mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission — with no option for a manual transmission these years.
In addition, all-wheel drive was offered in the G37X model. 2014 would be the last year for this decidedly old school Japanese sport sedan.
Engine
Inifinti’s G shares an uncanny amount with the legendary Z sports car series from Nissan, including it’s lineup of VQ engines.
For the Infiniti G37, the VQ37 engine became more refined. The aluminum block, aluminum head V6 engine, the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR became available in the G37 coupe and continued on into the introduction of the sedan in 2009.
It provided the car with a generous 328 hp, which, although it may not sound all that impressive compared to modern supercars, is still competitive today, especially for the price.
The VQ37 engine under the hood gave the Infiniti G37 sedan a more refined driving experience, further blurring the lines between luxury and performance in a way that was relatively unheard of at the time.
A smoother power delivery provided by the Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) allowed the car to put down more power to the wheels and improved overall throttle response.
Chassis
The V36 chassis of the Infiniti G37 is a stiff sports sedan chassis that gives the performance sedan the basis of its edginess. Throughout the generations this is one aspect of the vehicle that remains untouched, forming — quite literally — the basic framework of the car as we know and love it.
Designed for 4 door application, the V36 chassis is more practical all-around than the shorter coupe chassis, offering drivers additional rear-seat space for passengers and increased cargo capacity; blending together practicality with performance in a way many cars of the time struggled to.
The platform was designed by Infiniti and produced in Japan from 2006 to 2013 and was available most commonly on the Infiniti G series and Nissan Z series sedans, coupes, and convertible. Among the available model years for the G37 sedan, you can find this chassis with the option for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
With rear-wheel drive even the sedan is popular among drift enthusiasts, making a great platform in the motorsports community even today.
There is a wide variety of aftermarket parts that can be readily shared among vehicles that share the V36 chassis, making it a platform that is both customizable and easy to maintain even for the age.
Impact On Sport Sedans
The Infiniti G37 still holds a special place in the hearts of automotive enthusiasts. Its large aftermarket sector makes this performance luxury sedan the perfect choice for a customizable yet responsible daily driver.
While more expensive, modern cars have finally taken hold of the market for luxury performance sedans, the Infiniti G37 was far beyond its time.
This sedan made a crucial impact on the world of sports sedans, proving the buyers can find a vehicle that offers sports-car-like performance with a more practical sedan.
Vehicles like the Infiniti G37 weren’t completely unheard of, with options like the BMW M3 and Audi S4, but what set this one apart from the obvious choices was the price.
With a starting price of around an average of $30,000 – $40,000 depending on trims and options, the Infiniti G37 wasn’t exactly affordable. However, it was competitively priced against offerings from brands like BMW and Audi and provided buyers with an option that wasn’t as intimidating as the European brands.
This meant it offered a comfortable level of reliability that most people were already familiar and confident in, with the performance and comfort of a much more expensive vehicle, at a price that was more attainable than similarly-endowed sports sedans.
While the Infiniti G37 was cut from production many years ago now, it’s sleek styling, offering of a practical sedan platform, and performance established it as a crucial turning point in automotive history.
Still a popular vehicle for customizing, drifting, motorsports, and daily driving, the Infiniti G37 may seem overrated to some buyers, but you shouldn’t overlook this capable vehicle.
External links and sources:
https://fastestlaps.com/models/infiniti-g37s-coupe
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/infiniti/g37/
https://www.edmunds.com/infiniti/g37/2009/st-101115147/features-specs/