Infiniti G35

The first generation Infiniti G35 (V35) was introduced to North America for the 2003 model year, as a replacement for the Infiniti G20. The G35 is based on the Nissan FM platform shared with the Nissan 350Z sports car and Infiniti FX crossover SUV. The Infiniti G35 was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2003 and has been well-received by both the media and customers as a viable alternative to more expensive luxury cars. The Infiniti G35 was also nominated for the North American Car of the Year award that year and was on Car and Driver magazine’s Ten Best list for 2003 and 2004. Sporting the ubiquitous (and esteemed) VQ35DE engine, the Infiniti G35 uses a front-midship engine, rear-wheel drive layout (all-wheel drive is available for the G35x sedan) to achieve a 52% front/48% rear weight distribution. Both body styles are available with either a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission, although the automatic is the only transmission available for the AWD sedan. A 6-speed manual transmission became available in 2003 as a 2003 model on the sedan (the coupe always had the option). For the 2003-04 model years, the V6 produced 195 kW (260 hp) and 350 Nm (260 ft·lbf) of torque in the sedan, 210 kW (280 hp) and 365 Nm (270 ft·lbf) in the coupe. However, owners of various G35 enthusiast groups have shown that the engine in the sedan produces nearly the same amount of power as the coupe. In the 2005 and 2006 model years, those with automatic transmissions (both sedan and coupe) produced 210 kW (280 hp) and 365 Nm (270 ft·lbf) of torque, while those with manual transmissions produced 222 kW (298 hp) and 350 Nm (260 ft·lbf) of torque (again, both in sedan and coupe form). There is speculation that the output did not actually change, and that Infiniti was simply taking advantage of the outdated SAE standard of rating horsepower. The Infiniti G35 is assembled in Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan, and the first Infiniti G35 was built on March 12, 2002 as a 2003 model.