Pros:
- The perfect mix of luxury and performance
- Nimble handling
- Subtle go-fast styling modifications
Cons:
- Exclusive IPL status means the car is difficult to find
- Rear seating is better reserved for gym bags and groceries
- Poor rear visibility
When Nissan launched its Infiniti brand to market luxury automobiles, SUVs, and CUVs, it had its sights set on competing with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Jaguar, and Lexus for affluent buyers in North America. The Infiniti brand quickly garnered a solid client base as the cars were stylish, well-equipped, reliable, and, for the most part, fun to drive. But some buyers like to drive.
BMW created its M Division, and Mercedes-Benz spawned AMG to help create automobiles with styling, performance, and handling enhancements. Similarly, Jaguar offers its R models, and Audi has its S cars. Even Lexus had joined the party with its stunning IS-F. Enthusiast drivers knew that it was only a matter of time before the product planners at Infiniti would develop a performance division similar to that of its competitors, the Infiniti Performance, or IPL.
G37 IPL Performance: More Horsepower than the Regular G37 Coupe
I recently had the chance to spend a week behind the wheel of the first IPL offering, the 2011 G37 IPL Coupe. I have always been a fan of the G Coupe as it offers buyers stylish, sweeping body lines, a luxurious and comfortable interior, and a sport-minded driving experience.
The IPL improves the G Coupe’s performance by modifying the 3.7-litre V6 to produce 348 hp, a healthy 18 extra ponies over the standard G37 Coupe. This potent power plant likes to explore the tachometer’s higher limits, but with 276 lb-ft of torque on tap, it also likes to put the power down.
If you’re considering an Infiniti sedan, take a look at the 2014 Infiniti Q50—the company’s all-new and insanely refined 4-door. The Q50 RWD Sport makes 328 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, and the Q50 Hybrid Sport puts down 302 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
The IPL may still be a luxurious car befitting the upwardly mobile executive, but as the performance offering for the model it is nice to see that the car has be fitted with a true dual exhaust system. This free-flowing set-up managed to sonically tickle my ears enough that I found myself having to resist driving with the windows down.
Driving Impressions: how does this Infiniti 2-Door perform & handle?
The car accelerates with just a hint of aggression, and the six-speed manual transmission featured nice, short throws. A seven-speed automatic with shift paddles mounted on the steering column is available as an option. My preference would be the manual gearbox, but I don’t have a bumper-to-bumper commute to contend with on a daily basis.
The car also benefits from the more powerful engine, and the fact that it will be quite exclusive, as only a limited number will be produced each year.
Handling is crisp and precise, and enthusiast types will appreciate the stiffer springs, sports shocks, and communicative steering. A mechanical-type limited-slip differential and heavy-duty sports brakes make this car an excellent tool at the local track for lapping duty. If this is your daily driver, the ride feels firm but not enough to beat you up.
As the high trim offering of the G37 Coupe line-up, this car is loaded with standard features, including a premium Bose stereo, navigation, a rear-view camera, and a sunroof. The car also benefits from the more powerful engine and will be quite exclusive, as only a limited number will be produced each year.
G37 IPL Interior & Styling
The G37 IPL Coupe gets a host of aggressive modifications to the bodywork, including a new front fascia, subtle skirting, and a trunk-mounted spoiler. Big, 19-inch sport alloys painted in a hue similar to that of the car add to the tuner look, and it is all capped off by a simple IPL badge on the trunk.
My test unit looked very expensive, cloaked in its high-luster Graphic Shadow paint, one of only two colors available for the IPL. The interior was an all-leather affair, with the sport seats tightly wrapped in deep grey hides dressed up with bold red stitching.
Brushed aluminum trim is in abundance throughout the tidy cabin, and was cool looking enough that I was tweeting a photo of it before I even started the car. The three-spoke steering, aluminum-capped pedals and compact gauge cluster all add to the sporty look carried through the car. Shopping for a 2-door sports car? Check out the rest of our coupe reviews here.
2011 Infiniti G37 IPL Coupe Specs:
- Type: 4-passenger coupe
- Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel-drive
- Engine: 3.7-litre, 24-valve, DOHC V-6
- Horsepower: 348 hp @ 7400 rpm
- Torque (lb.-ft): 276 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed manual or optional 7-speed automatic
- Fuel economy (L/100km): City 12.3 (23mpg); Highway 7.9 (36mpg)
