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The 2011 Infiniti IPL G37 coupe is the first model in the Infiniti Performance Line. A combination of performance and luxury, it boasts tweaks to the engine and suspension and a fully loaded interior.
BMW has M, Mercedes has AMG, Lexus has its F series and Nissan has Nismo. These performance-oriented subbrands set enthusiasts' hearts aflutter with expectations of increased power and improved handling. Until now, Infiniti has gone without a performance arm, even though cars such as the G sedan and coupe and M sedan are plenty sporty. Recently, Nissan's luxury brand announced that it, too, would offer a performance line: the Infiniti Performance Line, or IPL, to be exact. Its first creation is the IPL G37 coupe. Although it's packed with features as well as performance, the IPL coupe isn't as hot as a BMW M3 or Mercedes C63 AMG, but it's tons of fun nonetheless and costs less than its German competitors.
Bing Images: Infiniti IPL G37 Coupe
Model Lineup
The 2011 Infiniti IPL G37 coupe is priced at $47,950 for a trim with the manual transmission and $49,850 for an automatic. It is equipped like a G37 Journey with Nissan's Premium, Sport and Navigation packages. Standard equipment includes leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power-adjustable front sport seats, keyless entry and starting, Bose audio system with 9.3-gigbyte Music Box hard drive, XM satellite radio, USB port, automatic bi-xenon headlights, sunroof, navigation system, rearview camera, Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, universal garage door opener, limited-slip differential, performance brakes, fog lights and P225/45R19 front and P245/40R19 rear summer tires on unique alloy wheels.
Over and above the Sport package features, the IPL comes with a sportier suspension, red accent stitching on the upholstery and steering wheel, and an aerodynamics package that consists of more aggressive front and rear spoilers and sculpted side sills.
Safety equipment includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, active front head restraints, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, traction control and electronic stability control.
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Under the Hood
The 2011 Infiniti IPL G37 coupe uses a tuned version of Infiniti's 3.7-liter V6 engine. In the G37 coupe, it makes 330 horsepower and 272 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to a larger dual exhaust and more aggressive computer controls, the engine produces 348 horses and 276 lb-ft of torque in the IPL coupe.
The IPL coupe is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic with manual shift capability. The automatic also has Adaptive Shift Control, which adjusts shift points based on the driver's driving style. EPA fuel-economy ratings are 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway with the automatic and 17/25 with the manual.
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Inner Space
There are few differences between the interior of the IPL G37 coupe and that of the standard G37. The most notable are the red accent stitching on the seats and steering wheel, the available Monaco Red upholstery and the aluminum pedals, which you get with the Sport package anyway.
The interior ambience is sporty, with a quality feel. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels good, and the leather upholstery has an upscale look and feel. Attractive Silk-Obi aluminum trim complements the dashboard's quality soft-touch materials. All of the controls move with precision, and they are placed in a simple, easy-to-reach layout on the center stack. The environment isn't quite as luxurious as a Lexus IS, but the look fits the price.
The front bucket seats fit the car's sporty character. The driver's seat is supportive, and has enough bolstering to keep drivers planted during aggressive driving. Multiple seat adjustments team with the standard power tilt/telescoping steering wheel to make just about any driver comfortable. Very tall drivers will have an issue with headroom, though.
The back seat is rather inhospitable, lacking headroom and legroom. The front seats power forward to allow access, but a few acrobatic moves are required to get back there. The lack of space is disappointing, because the back seat was far more accommodating in the first-generation G35 coupe.
The trunk is also rather small, at 7.4 cubic feet. That's about what you would expect in a convertible, not a coupe. It's shallow, too, but the rear seat folds down to allow some longer items to fit.
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