Tekknikal
05-21-2007, 01:37 PM
Today we have quite a few updates for you on Nissan's replacement to its premier luxury sports coupe, the Infiniti G35. We have shots on the streets, photoshops, and best of all- real engine output data...
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/BlueSlateother34.jpg" />
What can be expected from the new G37? Continue reading to find out.<!--more-->
First, lets review the position of the car in the market.
Back in 2001, Nissan announced that they would be marketing the Nissan Skyline in the USA for the first time ever - under the Infiniti name. The platform used was called the FM platform, inspired from the R34 series Skyline platform, with numerous improvements made including areas of structural rigidity, stability, engine mounting, and more.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/diagram_fm.gif" />
To match the platform, Nissan used its all new 3.5L V6 engine called the VQ35DE, which- rated anywhere from 260-300hp in various versions, set the benchmark in power in the class as the G35 outpowered its peers- namely the BMW 330.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/vq35de.jpg" />
That was only the beginning. Nissan turned to Brembo to supply brakes on its new Skyline, and dedicated itself to building a true drivers car. The G35 delivered on all counts. It was more successful than anyone at Nissan thought- in the US, it outsold all BMW 3 series Coupes, M excluded.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/132003g35coupe.jpg" />
What BMW did then was unexpected. They acknowledged Infiniti as their prime competitor and built its 335i to decisively take (or keep- depending on who you ask) the crown. They did this in public demonstations.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/1.jpg" />
BMW's new engine, the N54, was a twin turbo version of its classic straight six. They announced a hardtop convertible version and also said they'd be delivering all wheel drive on the platform. Although the engine was advertised as outputting 300hp, it was dynoing about 270whp, suggesting that its real output was closer to 320hp... a most impressive platform, especially considering that it featured factory boost.
When Nissan unveiled its VQ35HR engine, advertised at 300hp and outputting just 260whp, most thought the battle was over and that Nissan settled in just under BMW.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/vq35hr.jpg" />
Although the VQ35HR equipped G had an all new interior, with plenty of toys and fantastic handling- it was thought that they conceded 1st place to BMW in the horsepower game...that Nissan would no longer be as aggressive as they once were.
Everyone thought wrong.
At the New York Auto Show, Nissan unveiled the all-new G37 coupe, which would feature "over 330hp" and marked a complete revision from the prior generation G35. (see streetseen's recap <a href="http://www.streetseen.vi/forums/showthread.php?t=9" target="_blank">here</a>)
But was that 330hp a real 330hp? Last week, Automobile Mag got their hands on a G37 from Nissan for testing and review purposes. Instead of just running their normal tests, they turned around and took the car to their local dyno shop. What did they find?
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/dyno-1.jpg" />
Nissan is back at it. The new G laid down 287whp.
To put that into perspective, consider the following wheel horsepower ratings:
VQ35DE G35/350Z 6MT ~ 235whp
Revup G35/350Z ~245whp
VQ35HRs G35/350Z ~ 260ish whp
2GR-FSE (Lexus IS350) ~ 260ish whp
Ford Mustang GTs ~260ish whp
N54 (BMW 335i) ~ 270ish whp
S54 (BMW M3) ~ 270-280whp
...and Nissan didn't aggressively increased the final drive to match the higher RPMs. So, there's probably an extra 10% that can be easily achieved should they (or an enthusiast) feel the need to get it.
There are many components to producing and getting power to the ground, and the VQ37VHR seems very potent. Rumors had it that the VQ was being rebuilt to handle boost (read: <a href="http://www.streetseen.vi/forums/showthread.php?t=69">GT-R</a>) and that as a side benefit, the non-turbo VQs would be potent. That appears to have materialized as true.
Nissan fans should be happy- the new VQ37VHR sets the standard in the same way the original VQ35DE did on the first G35. This should also put pressure on the rest of the industry as the move was somewhat unexpected from Nissan. (Some people expected a gain- but not to this degree) So, BMW and other fans should be happy as well- lets face it, would the N54 have been so potent without the VQ?
We have more for you on the new G though:
As mentioned earlier on StreetSeen, some haven't warmed up to the looks of the new G. On this front we've found some updates posted from Nissan themselves- with some real world pictures of the new G. In particular, they've compared it with the current G. Unfortunately, both cars are base trims, but it does give a good impression for the body differences:
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/str8on.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/rearshot2.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/comp1.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/closerin.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/lowprofile.jpg" />
While some have been satisfied with this, many more weren't.... and these photoshops (edited images) surfaced from the 50th anniversary Skyline event (covered on StreetSeen <a href="http://www.streetseen.vi/forums/showthread.php?t=131">here</a>).
(original: )
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/skyline0425_2.jpg" />
(edit1: )
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/final.jpg" />
(edit 2: )
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/rim.jpg" />
All in all, it looks like Nissan has another hit on their hands. Look for the new G37 this fall- with pricing running in the far end of the $30k range stateside - and $50s island side. Expect the VQ37VHR to show up in other cars as well- namely the FX, M, and Z.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/BlueSlatefront34.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/BlueSlaterear34.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/BlueSlate3.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/BlueSlateother34.jpg" />
What can be expected from the new G37? Continue reading to find out.<!--more-->
First, lets review the position of the car in the market.
Back in 2001, Nissan announced that they would be marketing the Nissan Skyline in the USA for the first time ever - under the Infiniti name. The platform used was called the FM platform, inspired from the R34 series Skyline platform, with numerous improvements made including areas of structural rigidity, stability, engine mounting, and more.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/diagram_fm.gif" />
To match the platform, Nissan used its all new 3.5L V6 engine called the VQ35DE, which- rated anywhere from 260-300hp in various versions, set the benchmark in power in the class as the G35 outpowered its peers- namely the BMW 330.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/vq35de.jpg" />
That was only the beginning. Nissan turned to Brembo to supply brakes on its new Skyline, and dedicated itself to building a true drivers car. The G35 delivered on all counts. It was more successful than anyone at Nissan thought- in the US, it outsold all BMW 3 series Coupes, M excluded.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/132003g35coupe.jpg" />
What BMW did then was unexpected. They acknowledged Infiniti as their prime competitor and built its 335i to decisively take (or keep- depending on who you ask) the crown. They did this in public demonstations.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/1.jpg" />
BMW's new engine, the N54, was a twin turbo version of its classic straight six. They announced a hardtop convertible version and also said they'd be delivering all wheel drive on the platform. Although the engine was advertised as outputting 300hp, it was dynoing about 270whp, suggesting that its real output was closer to 320hp... a most impressive platform, especially considering that it featured factory boost.
When Nissan unveiled its VQ35HR engine, advertised at 300hp and outputting just 260whp, most thought the battle was over and that Nissan settled in just under BMW.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/vq35hr.jpg" />
Although the VQ35HR equipped G had an all new interior, with plenty of toys and fantastic handling- it was thought that they conceded 1st place to BMW in the horsepower game...that Nissan would no longer be as aggressive as they once were.
Everyone thought wrong.
At the New York Auto Show, Nissan unveiled the all-new G37 coupe, which would feature "over 330hp" and marked a complete revision from the prior generation G35. (see streetseen's recap <a href="http://www.streetseen.vi/forums/showthread.php?t=9" target="_blank">here</a>)
But was that 330hp a real 330hp? Last week, Automobile Mag got their hands on a G37 from Nissan for testing and review purposes. Instead of just running their normal tests, they turned around and took the car to their local dyno shop. What did they find?
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/dyno-1.jpg" />
Nissan is back at it. The new G laid down 287whp.
To put that into perspective, consider the following wheel horsepower ratings:
VQ35DE G35/350Z 6MT ~ 235whp
Revup G35/350Z ~245whp
VQ35HRs G35/350Z ~ 260ish whp
2GR-FSE (Lexus IS350) ~ 260ish whp
Ford Mustang GTs ~260ish whp
N54 (BMW 335i) ~ 270ish whp
S54 (BMW M3) ~ 270-280whp
...and Nissan didn't aggressively increased the final drive to match the higher RPMs. So, there's probably an extra 10% that can be easily achieved should they (or an enthusiast) feel the need to get it.
There are many components to producing and getting power to the ground, and the VQ37VHR seems very potent. Rumors had it that the VQ was being rebuilt to handle boost (read: <a href="http://www.streetseen.vi/forums/showthread.php?t=69">GT-R</a>) and that as a side benefit, the non-turbo VQs would be potent. That appears to have materialized as true.
Nissan fans should be happy- the new VQ37VHR sets the standard in the same way the original VQ35DE did on the first G35. This should also put pressure on the rest of the industry as the move was somewhat unexpected from Nissan. (Some people expected a gain- but not to this degree) So, BMW and other fans should be happy as well- lets face it, would the N54 have been so potent without the VQ?
We have more for you on the new G though:
As mentioned earlier on StreetSeen, some haven't warmed up to the looks of the new G. On this front we've found some updates posted from Nissan themselves- with some real world pictures of the new G. In particular, they've compared it with the current G. Unfortunately, both cars are base trims, but it does give a good impression for the body differences:
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/str8on.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/rearshot2.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/comp1.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/closerin.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/lowprofile.jpg" />
While some have been satisfied with this, many more weren't.... and these photoshops (edited images) surfaced from the 50th anniversary Skyline event (covered on StreetSeen <a href="http://www.streetseen.vi/forums/showthread.php?t=131">here</a>).
(original: )
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/skyline0425_2.jpg" />
(edit1: )
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/final.jpg" />
(edit 2: )
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/rim.jpg" />
All in all, it looks like Nissan has another hit on their hands. Look for the new G37 this fall- with pricing running in the far end of the $30k range stateside - and $50s island side. Expect the VQ37VHR to show up in other cars as well- namely the FX, M, and Z.
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/BlueSlatefront34.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/BlueSlaterear34.jpg" />
<img src="http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t193/streetseen/Infiniti/G37c/BlueSlate3.jpg" />