Motor Trend knows how to make the ultimate throw-down among rival manufacturers: pit them against each other in a good ol’ fashion fatal four-way Topless Drag Race!
For this event, MT brought together an Audi A5, a BMW 335i, a Lexus IS350, and an Infiniti G37 – all of which, incidentally, are convertibles. It’s the showdown of showdowns to determine which top-down machine takes home the coveted bragging rights for winning Motor Trend’s special Topless Drag Race.
We’d spoil you the result of the race but where’s the suspense in that? But just so you won’t get caught off-guard, we’ll give you a little teaser of what to expect – or not to expect, for that matter.
It’s not the kind of drag race you’re accustomed to seeing.
In its standard versions the 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 engine from the Nissan 370Z and Infiniti G37 develops a total of 330 hp. Its good, but not impressive for a sports car like the 370Z. So Stillen comes with a Supercharger System that raises the power to an impressive 515 hp for both models.
The tuner designed a new cast aluminum intake manifold specifically for this system, featuring longer runners and a large plenum for the engine to draw air, complete with integrated air-to-water intercooler system, dramatically cooling the air charge from the Vortech V-3 Supercharger unit. The tuning steps include: an ECU based tuning device, larger 600cc injectors, and high output fuel pump.
If there’s anything the auto industry has taught us – or in any other aspect of life, for that matter – it’s that time flies faster than you think. That’s especially true now because Infiniti is celebrating its 20th anniversary in US soil this year. That’s right; 20 years.
To celebrate this milestone achievement, the Nissan-owned brand is releasing three special edition models of the G37 – a coupe version, a sedan, and a convertible. This special edition models will be limited to 350 units for the sedans and 200 units for the coupe and convertible. Prices range from $43,350 to $54,900.
The special edition comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine and 7-speed automatic transmission, Premium and Navigation Packages, Sport Package and 4-Wheel Active Steer.
The cars also come painted in a new Graphite Shadow exterior color and is distinguished by special aluminum-alloy wheels, W-rated summer performance tires, Midnight Black grille, unique front chin spoiler or front fascia, sport side sills (Coupe and Convertible) and rear spoiler (except Convertible).
We didn’t really know that Infiniti was celebrating the big 2-0 in the US until we did some checking. But now that we do, we’d like to toast them for this special milestone. Cheers to you Infiniti!
The Japanese luxury automaker Infiniti will bring a drop top version of the popular G37 coupe to market in 2010. The G37 Convertible is powered by a 3.7 Liter VQ V6 with Nissan’s Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) to produce a maximum output of 325 HP. The G37 Convertible Sport with a six speed manual transmission includes sport tuned steering and larger sport brakes, along with a set of 19 inch aluminum alloys wrapped in W rated performance rubber.
The 2010 G37 Convertible comes complete with standard features like a RearView Monitor and safety features like available automatic rain sensing flat blade wipers, Pre-Crash Seat Belts and Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking. The new G37 Convretible is already on sale and starts at $44,350 for the seven speed automatic version and goes up to $46,950 for the six speed sport version, allowing owners to enjoy the thrill of open air motoring in a premium Japanese sport coupe.
Redesigned for 2008, the Infiniti G37 Coupe has received minor trim changes for 2010, including a revised interior and upgraded navigation and entertainment systems. For 2010 customers can chose from four different trim levels, G37 Coupe, G37 Coupe Journey, G37 Coupe Sport 6MT and G37x Coupe AWD with prices ranging from $36,050 to $40,400.
Changes for 2010: the previous "Washi" aluminum trim is replaced by a new "Shodo" style trim, the previous African Rosewood wood accents have been replaced by new, high-gloss Maple Accents, standard 8-way power passenger seats on all models, a new center console design on automatic transmission-equipped models and a number of package content changes, such as the addition of the Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with Plasmacluster™ air purifier to the Technology Package and making RearView Monitor standard on most models.
The G37 Coupe is powered by a 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 engine rated at 330 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque and mated to either a 7-speed automatic transmission with Drive Sport (DS) Mode, Downshift Rev Matching and available solid magnesium paddle shifters or a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.
