What I know about the new Gcoupe

[ryan.mccabe.2]

I had a talk with the owner of my local dealer a month or so ago and got him to spill a bean or two. I got my oil changed yesterday and got him to spill a few more...

Previous conversation:

• G37 confirmed; 325hp out of the box, at a price point very close to that of the current coupe. (Not unlike the price point of the new / sedan)
• Infiniti has no plans to join the M, AMG, F hp war, as those are non-profitable branches of those companies
• QX replacement to be based on Nissan Patrol Platform, and built in Japan
• New smaller crossover coming, FX moving upscale a bit (I speculate)
• No M coupe - this was a theory at the time because of the wide body G mule still in testing

Conversation yesterday:

• Further G37 Confirmation; mention of a 330hp variant undergoing testing at sea level.
• G coupe to be on dealer lots this summer; July / August if I remember correctly
• When prodded about the recent rumor that the GTR will be an Infiniti after all:
  • Introducing the Nissan GTR at the same time the Lexus / Acura supercars were announced made us look bad
  • We will be getting a G37TT for 2010: 500hp, AWD
  • The G37 convertable will arrive in between these models ie 2009 - forgot to ask hard / soft top

[DAVDZ1]

i just wet my pants a little. Even if it is speculation. lol

[G_Nice]

While I still have to treat it as speculation. I was told much the same. Especially about an Infiniti equiv to the GTR. If it's all true, making a decision will be tough.

[pbm317]

Gotta love the dealer talk...

[Grazehell]

Dealer always talk nonsense. Wish I got a dime for every "Just talk to my dealer about x upcoming car" thread I read. He is just repeating all the rumors we all heard.

[SenSpeed]

Originally Posted by pbm317

Gotta love the dealer talk...

Ya, they give new meaning to talking outta your ass. It never amazes me how quickly they can make shiet up.

Look for the eyes man!!! When they look to the sky for that split second it means "hmm what can I pull out this time???"

[wei240]

rumors, rumors...

hopefully it's true though...

even if it's not, and if people want some umpf without wanting to spend 70k+ and want luxury interior, i don't think it will be 'too' difficult to swap in the gtr into the G series,
similar to the SC300, GS3/400 with Supra TT engine...

[RetAF]

Yep! It`s called information retrieval from rectal data storage system. You can always tell, because their lips move when thay are telling you that stuff.

[Riffster]

I don't know about dealers *always* lying ....

Back in the days when the 'Nissan or Infiniti?' debate about the GT-R was raging I had a mechanic from the dealer I was using say that he had been to a seminar for Infiniti and Nissan Techs and he had heard from reputable sources that the GT-R would be a Nissan and would have around 500 HP. At this time, nearly everyone was saying the GT-R was going to be an Infiniti.

And this coming from a dealer that sold no Nissans - only Infiniti and other upscale marques.

So folks - they don't *always* lie.

- Riff

[07G35S]

Only problem with the GTR infiniti equivalent is they're going to have to price it even higher as an infiniti. Thats going to push it near 100 grand.... That sucks... of course I probably wouldn't have bought either car at 75k for the record . Just thinking though, they cant sell the GTR for 75k, then turn around drop the same engine in a Gcoupe and sell it for 50k. True? Convertible is intriguing though.

[mkaresh]

How much larger can these sixes get before the companies start switching to V8s? Or will the horsepower war top out first with sixes in the 3.8-liter range?

It wasn't that long ago that GM seemed silly for putting an "overly large" 3.8 in everything, when the imports got by with 3.0s.

[ryan.mccabe.2]

07G35S:

Now that you mention it, he said that the G35TT would be in the $50K range. I remember that because I was thinking about the price point and how that would fit in the M / New Q hierarchy.

mkaresh:

I remember reading that Porsche is having the same problem of reaching the max displacement possible with thier current series of engines; 3.8L I think. There has to be a breaking point - we certainly won't be seeing a VQ60HRTTRIDICULOUS anytime soon.

[mkaresh]

There are two issues with engine size. One is inherent in the basic design of a particular engine, specifically the bore spacing, the distance between the cylinders' centers. You can only bore out the cylinders so much before the wall between them gets as thin as possible. I suspect this is the Porsche problem.

But there's also the matter of reciprocating mass and getting air in and out efficiently. As the cylinders grow larger, the pistons and valves also get larger and heavier, and the larger they get the lower reliability gets at high RPM, forcing a lower redline. Air also can't fill a larger cylinder as quickly, further cutting potential power at high RPM.

And yet the Corvette Z06 has a 7.0-liter V8 that has a power peak at 6,300 RPM, and this with what must be two huge valves per cylinder. (This is as far as the small block can be punched out.) This would translate to a 5.3-liter six. I'm guessing they had to use some fairly pricey materials to get such a large engine to spin so fast with good reliability. There haven't been any high-performance sixes anywhere near 5.3 liters, and there must be a reason for this. Probably that it's more effective to go with a V8. So why not a V12 in the Corvette? Probably tradition and packaging. More cylinders = longer engine.

[gt_performah]

Well if they are going to take the engine from this:



and put it into a car that looks like this:



It wouldnt matter if this supercharged G35 was 85k+ or 50K. It would still make it a hell of a challenge to continue selling this:



I believe it would be difficult for them to coexist.

[ZYAL8R808]

The dealer you talked to basically contradicted himself in saying that Infiniti is not going to get into the HP battle with BMW's Ms, Mercedes' AMGs and now Lexus' Fs but then says Infiniti will get a G Coupe with the GTR powerplant. That to me indicates they would be looking to compete with the previously mentions cars.

And, as far as engine size and HP going up, who really needs more from a factory tuned car? This would raise price, fuel consumption (most likely) and insurance cost. I'm perfectly happy with a stock car going 0-60 in the low to mid 5 second range and 1/4 mile in the low 14 second range. Faster is better but leave something for the aftermarket and tuners to work with.

If manufacturers don't wise up we will soon see very strict limitations enforced by the government. I'd like to see the highest technologies and R&D going into making the best cars ever made. And that means cars that are the most reliable ever, the most fuel efficient ever, overall good performance ever and at the most cost effective way ever. Not making the best at any cost. We need to conscience of the consequences our actions now have for the future.

Dammit, no I sound like Al Gore. Oh well, there's no denying what's happening around the world. Rising costs of everything from manufacturing to raw materials and diminishing amounts of those raw materials and fossil fuels.

BTW, GTR engine powered G Coupe is not a good idea with the GTR coming out around $80K. This would have worked a couple years ago if a TT version of the G and Z were offered. It's too late to do that now. If Infiniti wants a high performance coupe better than the G they need to introduce a BMW 6-series fighter.

[mkaresh]

It seems that no matter how powerful cars get, some people want more.

I'm not that old, but I remember when 200 horsepower was huge, even 160 was strong, and 0-60 in under ten was quick. That was 20 years ago, when the 300ZX turbo kicked out 200 and the Maxima got by with 152.

[G_Nice]

Mkaresh, I was just thinking the same think. I owned a 1998 300zx and you have SUV's that out perform the 0-60 of sports cars back then. For me the horsepower race is getting stale.

We know all manufactures have the capability of continue this race for some time, but at some point there is a diminishing return on investment. A 0-60 time of 5s vs 4s vs 3s is all bragging rights IMO.

What I love about the coupe is the balance of luxury, performance, handling and style. For me I would like to see a bit more performance (I wanted that since the first gen coupe), increased handling, continued evolution of style and luxury and new innovation.

I'm not a techno expert, but I'd like to see continued use of lighter materials, more energy efficient design, integration of electric, turbo and gas technology to maximize efficient performance, driver centric design (for sports cars). Personally I do not want more techno gadgets in my car. I want more sports in my sports car.

Just my 2cents

[mkaresh]

Well, since I drive a 130-horsepower Mazda Protege5...

My suspicion is that people who drive automatics in areas where all the roads are straight are the main force behind ever increasing demands for horsepower. I tend to mind a lack of power far less when a manual provides a sense of direct involvement with the car or when the road has curves.

[M_TYPE_X]

GTR needs to be an Infiniti. It should come out soon before or soon after the Lexus supercar; Honda is sending the Acura concept back to the drawing board AGAIN.

[ryan.mccabe.2]

Originally Posted by ZYAL8R808

The dealer you talked to basically contradicted himself in saying that Infiniti is not going to get into the HP battle with BMW's Ms, Mercedes' AMGs and now Lexus' Fs but then says Infiniti will get a G Coupe with the GTR powerplant. That to me indicates they would be looking to compete with the previously mentions cars.

And, as far as engine size and HP going up, who really needs more from a factory tuned car? This would raise price, fuel consumption (most likely) and insurance cost. I'm perfectly happy with a stock car going 0-60 in the low to mid 5 second range and 1/4 mile in the low 14 second range. Faster is better but leave something for the aftermarket and tuners to work with.

If manufacturers don't wise up we will soon see very strict limitations enforced by the government. I'd like to see the highest technologies and R&D going into making the best cars ever made. And that means cars that are the most reliable ever, the most fuel efficient ever, overall good performance ever and at the most cost effective way ever. Not making the best at any cost. We need to conscience of the consequences our actions now have for the future.

Dammit, no I sound like Al Gore. Oh well, there's no denying what's happening around the world. Rising costs of everything from manufacturing to raw materials and diminishing amounts of those raw materials and fossil fuels.

BTW, GTR engine powered G Coupe is not a good idea with the GTR coming out around $80K. This would have worked a couple years ago if a TT version of the G and Z were offered. It's too late to do that now. If Infiniti wants a high performance coupe better than the G they need to introduce a BMW 6-series fighter.

Sorry about that, I wasn't terribly clear: I was asking about the possibility of a performance brand within the infiniti line, such as BMW's M, MB's AMG... He said that those are not profitable, not the general dramatic increase in power we have seen over the last decade. He mentioned that he sees Nismo going away here in the US, as dealers generally don't care, and are not educated to the level needed for the customers that do.

As for the general increasing power trend, I think it is a competition issue. Do minivans need sliding doors on goth sides? No. But once an OEM offered it, it became standard for every minivan on the market. Another example is the 170 degree opening rear doors on the new Silverado: WIDEST OPENING DOORS EVER, besting the Titan's by a mere 2 degrees. Come to think of it, it would not be foolish to blame NNA for stoking the flames of the current hp war.

What I want to see is a sporty car that has 250 hp and gets 40 mpg. Tell me it can't be done - The new VQ got a 50 hp bump, and a 10%improvement in fuel economy.

[papercliprebel]

since when was a dealer credible? news to me.

[07G35S]

Originally Posted by gt_performah

Well if they are going to take the engine from this:

[gtr pic]

and put it into a car that looks like this:

[g35coupe pic]

It wouldnt matter if this supercharged G35 was 85k+ or 50K. It would still make it a hell of a challenge to continue selling this:

[gtr pic]

I believe it would be difficult for them to coexist.

I don't know if I would go that far, because I'm not with the group that thinks the GTR is hideous. But I think it would be incredibly difficult to sell GTRs at 25k more than a Gcoupe with the same engine.

[mindworm]

I'm really surprised that NO ONE has pics of the convertable yet. All the spy sites, including this one, can find pics of everything else under the sun. The G35? Nah.

It's like guys come up to them at Nuremberg and the drivers say "these aren't the droids you're looking for" or something like that.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

[UpstateNY]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

Well, since I drive a 130-horsepower Mazda Protege5...

My suspicion is that people who drive automatics in areas where all the roads are straight are the main force behind ever increasing demands for horsepower.

Or when driving on hills. The only time I felt a real need for more power lately was in a rented, four cylinder, automatic Camry on the Rt. 81 hills around Scranton. Straight and flat no problem but on the hills it was floored and still could not keep up with traffic in the left lane.

This "horsepower race" is mostly for bragging rights. How many of us actually race our cars to the point where 50 or so horsepower one way or the other is really going to make a difference in everyday driving?

However, I am sure that if I get a new coupe one of the first things I will mention about it will be the higher horsepower!

'03 G35C, black/graphite, premium, auto, Z-tube, back on the road soon , 17K since 3/1/03

[Zed]

Originally Posted by M_TYPE_X

GTR needs to be an Infiniti. It should come out soon before or soon after the Lexus supercar; Honda is sending the Acura concept back to the drawing board AGAIN.

No filler product for Infiniti. The GTR is a Nissan with a proud heritage period.
The real issue?
-Price point (Chevy sells Z06 vettes and 600+hp variant is rumored etc.)
-Halo car for Infiniti
I hear ya, but what Infiniti would need is a scaled Enzo/Murcielago and a M coupe to boot. Not Nissan's GTR.

[ZYAL8R808]

Originally Posted by ryan.mccabe.2

He mentioned that he sees Nismo going away here in the US, as dealers generally don't care, and are not educated to the level needed for the customers that do.

This is Nissan's fault for lack of marketing, dealer support and R&D for new products.

Originally Posted by ryan.mccabe.2

As for the general increasing power trend, I think it is a competition issue. Do minivans need sliding doors on goth sides? No.

I have to politely diasgree here. Have you ever owned or driven a minivan on a regular basis? Dual sliding doors was the best thing to happen to minivans. Tight parking lots are not a problem as you can get in and out on either side, thus allowing the driver to park more over to one side.

Originally Posted by ryan.mccabe.2

What I want to see is a sporty car that has 250 hp and gets 40 mpg. Tell me it can't be done - The new VQ got a 50 hp bump, and a 10%improvement in fuel economy.

It can't be done. Think about it from a manufacturers point of view. If you could put together a vehicle that looks good, performs well, is affordable and gets gas mileage equal to the most fuel efficient cars on the road today, wouldn't you do it? Can you imagine how much money they would make from sells? You would trump the entire automotive industry if you could come up with the magic formula to make such a car.

I should stress, I'm not saying it's impossible, in fact I think we are very close to seeing these cars but it still has to be affordable. Anything can be done with the right amount of money. But how many consumers care that much and still have the bankroll needed? Last I checked, most rich folks didn't really care all that much about mundane details like how much a full tank of gas costs.

[07G35S]

The power-efficiency tug-of-war... This is an area I think toyota/lexus has a distinct advantage, developing high horsepower gas/electric hybrids like in the new GS. I'm still a little skeptical on the reliability/durability of the batteries, which I guess isn't that big a deal since I never keep cars very long, BUT while this remains a question, I think it will strongly decrease the resale values in hybrid cars. In the mean-time, I think it would be nice to see Nissan jumping in the ball game unless they have other ideas for increasing fuel economy. Guess it will largely depend on the success of the lexus hybrids. If they see 10 gasoline to 1 hybrid sell at the lexus dealership, maybe they think its in their best interests to stay outta that game. I haven't seen sales data on that subject.

[selzini]

The hybrid Altima will be going on sale by the fall. It uses a Toyota developed system! Toyota is the only company that went full steam ahead with the hybrid systems, and are basically leasing it to other companies who want to use it. It's sort of like Microssoft creating the operating systems and "allowing" other manufacturers to use it. I think they read Bill Gates' playbook.

[Tower]

I'm ready for some official news. C'mon Nissan, throw us a bone!

[ryan.mccabe.2]

Originally Posted by Zed

No filler product for Infiniti. The GTR is a Nissan with a proud heritage period.
The real issue?
-Price point (Chevy sells Z06 vettes and 600+hp variant is rumored etc.)
-Halo car for Infiniti
I hear ya, but what Infiniti would need is a scaled Enzo/Murcielago and a M coupe to boot. Not Nissan's GTR.

The Corvette SS is a potential competitor that I hadn't thought about. It's going to be tough to sell any sports car in that price range when that beast hits the road.

I sure would like for Infiniti to come out with an M coupe over adding a GTR badge-job. Stick to the powerful NA motif; let Nissan play the TT route, sticking to the history of the brands.

[ryan.mccabe.2]

Not that it has been in doubt... Teaser shot included - like the headlights.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/13/n...lly-named-g37/

[mkaresh]

How ironic-earlier I posted a link to this thread in the comments to that autoblog post. You seem to have had the info first, after all.

[BostonMerlin]

Originally Posted by ryan.mccabe.2

Not that it has been in doubt... Teaser shot included - like the headlights.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/13/n...lly-named-g37/

awesome.. the wait is killing me!! i'm sure we'll hear all about this car by the end of the month.. but i'll be at the NY auto show.. first day.. to see it in person!!

[4U4ME]

Infiniti says its New York auto show stand will sport a pair of new vehicles–and one will be the Infiniti G37 Coupe, formerly the G35, which would seem to get an engine upgrade along with revamped style.
The other vehicle will be an EX Concept, likely a forerunner to the next range-topping Infiniti sedan. Infiniti promises “technological features that are expected to make it to a production vehicle – for the first time ever – by the end of the year.”

from TCC

[ryan.mccabe.2]

Any thoughts on the "first time ever" features?

I wasn't on the scene when the OGcoupe hit the show circuit - can we expect a big deal to be made here? Will this be a pulling of the sheet type of thing, or a birthing of the car directly from the womb of Ghosn himself?

[BostonMerlin]

Originally Posted by ryan.mccabe.2

Any thoughts on the "first time ever" features?

I wasn't on the scene when the OGcoupe hit the show circuit - can we expect a big deal to be made here? Will this be a pulling of the sheet type of thing, or a birthing of the car directly from the womb of Ghosn himself?

I was thinking the very same thing. I have a feeling what you see on the inside of the 2008c will be very similiar to the 2007 sedan.. no surprises. Same dash, same stereo, same seats (maybe more side bolster), same stability electronics etc.... and to be honest.. i think that'll be just fine!

[AZ_G]

Looks like they changed the front end a bit. Notice the ledge at the bottom of the light. The concept was different. Pretty much smooth. Can't wait to see the rest. I'm trying to guess what the wheels look like from the tiny bit that you can see. Maybe like the concept but with thinner spokes?

[BostonMerlin]

posted a comparison of the the concept, sketch and now g37 front ends:
http://forums2.freshalloy.com/showthread.php?t=165542

[ZYAL8R808]

They refer to the EX as being something like a Q replacement. I thought it was supposed to be a mini-FX.

[2K2MaximaSErious]

Wow,

Rumor Mills are creating waves across the web!!! This Thread is Officially Headline News!

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/13/e...on-tap-for-20/

Go FreshAlloy!!!! :hsdance: