Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Infiniti M35

The Infiniti M35? That’s not a hot new model like all the other reviews we’ve been delivering the past month. What’s going on? Well, Infiniti did make some minor changes to the M last year, especially its Sport trim, which is what we had a chance to review. Kelsey Mays got the assignment, but only after an earlier loan of the car in February ended with it getting stuck in a few inches of solid ice on my street. In better weather, Kelsey had an easier time delivering a review.

20008 Infiniti M35 Expert Review

New Infiniti FX Fights Foul Smells

Malodorous mishaps, meet your match (and thus ends our weekly allowance for words beginning with M). Infiniti’s redesigned FX crossover will include a feature called Plasmacluster Filtration that ionizes and deionizes the cabin to remove any olfactory offenders within. The result is a car that can clean its own air, FX product manager Stefan Conrady told Automotive News.

The system has two settings: Clean Mode emits ions to catch mold spores and other particles, while Ion Mode floods the interior with negative ions to replicate the crisp-air freshness you get after a rainstorm. Infiniti reportedly put the system through a battery of tests, including blowing cigarette smoke into the car and leaving leftover food behind. Spokesman Kyle Bazemore said Plasmacluster can reduce allergens, and because its filtration techniques strictly clean the air, it won’t introduce any new smells to cover the old. Frankly, we hope it doesn’t work too well — we’d hate to forget a leftover salad long enough for the ranch to turn into Roquefort.

Toyota also has a plasmacluster system that ionizes the cabin in certain trim levels of the Camry. Both come from Sharp Electronics, the company behind everything from widescreen TVs to, well, plasmacluster. The system is standard in the 2009 FX50. It’s not available in the FX35, but Bazemore said that if the market likes it, Plasmacluster will likely spread to other models.

Friday Fleet Notes: 4.25.08

This Friday's fleet notes come packed with insightful takes on the Saturn Astra, Infiniti EX35, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic EX-L, and Toyota Matrix XRS. Our staff had plenty to say, both good and bad, about the vehicles, so be sure to check out their posts, then link to the expert reviews after the jump.

2008 Saturn Astra

• This was a bummer for me. I was soooo looking forward to driving this car, but when I got behind the wheel I was again greeted by anemic acceleration. However, unlike the Corolla, the Astra XR is supposed to be a fun-to-drive machine. I did not experience much fun. It handled well but felt heavy. The automatic transmission was a dog, and do I need to mention the controls? A fellow reviewer called them hieroglyphics because the symbols are so hard to translate. There’s no USB or AUX-in capability either, not even as an option. Eegads. It was nice-looking, though, I’ll give it that. — David Thomas, senior editor

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Infiniti EX35

Senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder had the tough task of figuring out what exactly Infiniti was thinking when it built the all-new EX35. Sure, on the surface it seems to be a BMW X3, Acura RDX, Land Rover LR3 competitor, but underneath the sexy skin rests a performance vehicle, not a utility one. Check out his full review to learn exactly how that happened.

2008 Infiniti EX35 Expert Review
2008 Infiniti EX35 Videos

Midsize Cars Improve in Side Crash Tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently concluded crash tests on seven midsize sedans and discovered that while they had improved in side crash tests, they still lacked enough head protection to earn top marks in rear crash tests.

Tested were the 2008 model year Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Infiniti G35, Kia Optima, Mitsubishi Galant (which was updated for the 2009 model year on sale now), Nissan Altima and Saturn Aura.

Only the Kia Optima did not earn the top score of “good” for side impact crash tests – it received the second highest nod, “acceptable.” However, the Optima was the only car in the test to receive a “good” score in rear crash tests.

The difficulty in scoring the top rank in rear tests involves head and neck protection for those rear-end collisions that produce whiplash. The IIHS claims that those types of accidents and injuries lead to losses of $8.5 billion annually. Most vehicles need to equip active head restraints to pass this test.

The Audi A3, A4, Honda Accord, Saab 9-3 and Subaru Legacy – with optional stability control – earned good ratings in all tests previously and earned the IIHS’ Top Safety Pick designation for midsize cars. 

A full chart of how the cars scored is below.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe Takes on Infiniti G37

Hyundai is charging relentlessly into new territories with its products. Witness the Veracruz, a three-row SUV that Hyundai regularly compares to the Lexus RX 350 (which, if a recent Motor Trend comparison is any indication, might not be such a wild notion). Earlier this year, the automaker said it set sedans like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class as the benchmark for its new Genesis sedan, and now press materials for the 306-hp, V-6 Genesis coupe — rumored to be priced starting under $26,000 — tout the $35,000-plus Infiniti G37 as a possible competitor.

The comparison Hyundai made concerned performance capabilities, so we’ll have to wait until we drive one before we can deliver a final verdict. That doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun, though; at last week’s New York auto show, I checked out the two cars back to back.

Video: 2009 Infiniti FX

When the FX hits the streets this summer there’s no doubt it will scare some young children who cross its path. Its menacing grille and bold styling cover an impressive performance machine. In the video here, Kelsey Mays takes a look at the 2009 in all its purple glory. 


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More on the 2009 Infiniti FX

Up Close: 2009 Infiniti FX

Where the new Nissan Maxima seemed an assertive step forward, Infiniti’s new FX doesn’t impress me quite as much. Its cabin has the same high beltline as the previous generation, which gives drivers a hunkered-down feeling in the cockpit. The wood and metallic trim are convincing and occasionally creative — they curl around the door handles in both rows of seats, for example — but I’m not crazy about the leather seats’ diamond-cut inserts. Typically you see this pattern in cars that cost a bloody fortune, where the quality of leather (and number of Bessys slain for it) befits the style. Sorry, but the cowhide here doesn’t smack of six figures.

Other aspects largely parallel the first FX: The sloping hatch creates a nasty blind spot and cuts off significant luggage room. The second row has the same convenient pull handles in the trunk to send it down. (Some may want a power-folding second row, as the EX and new Nissan Murano have, but it doesn’t appear the new FX will go that route.)

As was the case before, redemption will probably come with a good old-fashioned stomp on the gas. The outgoing FX45’s 320-hp V-8 was oodles of fun, and the prospect of a larger, 390-hp V-8 should give car nuts something to look forward to. If that doesn’t strike your fancy, the technology should — there’s Nissan’s Around View 360-degree monitor, a lane-departure prevention system and full-range cruise control that can bring the car to a complete stop. More photos of the FX from the show floor are below.

Related:
2008 Geneva Motor Show: 2009 Infiniti FX

2008 Geneva Motor Show: 2009 Infiniti FX

• Competes with: Acura MDX, BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne
• Looks like: The current FX with a new front end
• Drivetrain: V-6 engine (details TBA) or a 390-hp, 5.0-liter V-8 with seven-speed automatic; rear- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: June 2008

In many ways, Infiniti's FX is more like a high-riding sports car than an SUV — it shares its platform with the Nissan 350Z sports car. For 2009, the FX receives some mild styling updates, a revised interior and a more powerful V-8 engine.

The FX retains its swoopy profile, but the front of the SUV receives some changes. In place of the previous model's trapezoidal headlights are new housings that have a jagged lower edge. The horizontal chrome bars on the grille have been ditched in favor of an open design that's accented with chrome around the edges. The front fenders also gain chrome appliqués, which seem to be the design cue of choice these days.

Recall Alert: 2009 Nissan Murano, 2008 Infiniti EX35

Two major new products from Nissan are being recalled due to a software glitch that could cause passenger airbags to fail during a crash.

The recall affects 11,511 2009 Nissan Muranos, which went on sale just this month, and 4,854 2008 Infiniti EX35s, which went on sale in late 2007. Nissan will reprogram the software to fix the problem; it should be an easy fix to a potentially dangerous problem.

First-year models often have growing pains with problems like this, but sometimes news of a recall can sway potential buyers of a new model.

Owners can contact Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200 and Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 for more information.

Nissan Recalls Murano, Infiniti SUVs for Airbag (Bloomberg)

New 2009 Infiniti FX to Debut in Geneva

Infiniti is using the world debut of its redesigned FX SUV to launch the brand in Western Europe. The FX will be seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, but will make its North American debut a few weeks later at the New York auto show. We’ll have more information on the new FX closer to its unveiling.

Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56, Lincoln Navigator

Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder recently spent a lot of quality time in three large, luxury SUVs and had the hard task of determining which one topped the bling-obsessed heap. Besides tackling those big, bold SUV grilles, the trio also factored in cargo usability, interior refinement and how easy it is to navigate these beasts. 

Cars.comparison: Full-Size Luxury SUVs

Infiniti EX35 Named Top Safety Pick

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety added the Infiniti EX35 luxury SUV to its list of Top Safety Picks for 2008. In order to qualify for the award, a vehicle must have top ratings in front-, side- and rear-impact crash tests and be equipped with electronic stability control.

IIHS has added 13 vehicles to its list this year, as manufacturers have introduced new models or improved existing ones, and the EX35 is the most recent to make the list. Other SUVs named Top Safety Picks include other luxury SUVs like the Lincoln MKX, Mercedes M-Class and BMW’s X3 and X5, both of which were also added this year.

Mini, BMW, Infiniti Top Best Resale Value List

Our list of the cars, trucks and SUVs with the best resale value has just been updated, and a lot of familiar names top the list. When we break down resale values by segment, the Mini Cooper, Honda Accord, Infiniti G35/G37, BMW 5 Series and GMC Sierra/Chevy Silverado top their respective segments.

When you take a look at the top 10 resale values overall, it’s the Infiniti G35/G37, Jeep Wrangler and BMW 3 Series taking the top three spots, knocking the Mini Cooper off its previous No. 1 perch.

Which cars rank lowest? The Mazda B2300, Ford Ranger and Suzuki Forenza top that dubious list.

Check out the full rankings below. 

Best Car Resale Values by Class
Best Overall Car Resale Values
Worst Overall Car Resale Values

Through Ian's Lens: 2008 Infiniti G37S

The new Infiniti G37S is a sport coupe that is as elegant as it is fast. The lines on this car are so sleek and speed-invoking that Infiniti has used a painted rendering of the car as a secondary logo. From grille to tail, the G37S body is designed to catch your eye; Infiniti has created a provocative body shape here. The over-extended, elongated headlight cases in the front and rear create visual bookends for the streamlined body, while twin tailpipes and a small spoiler add an aggressive stance. From the large, rounded grille and oversized badge in front all the way through the leather and metal of the interior to the flat, abrupt tail, the G37S visually embodies a balance of class and performance. The photos are below.

2008 Infiniti EX35 Priced Less Than $32,000

Infiniti's entry-level crossover SUV will have a starting price of $31,300 for the base, rear-wheel-drive model, which puts it below competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3 and Land Rover LR2, all of which feature standard all-wheel drive. The EX35 hits dealerships Dec. 21. Here's a pricing breakdown by trim level:

• EX35 RWD: $31,300
• EX35 AWD: $32,700
• EX35 RWD Journey: $34,850
• EX35 AWD Journey: $36,250

Even the most expensive version of the EX35 is almost $2,000 less than a BMW X3, and it features a more powerful six-cylinder engine that produces 297 hp. Additional standard features include a five-speed automatic transmission that has a clutchless-manual mode, 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminum trim in the cabin and an eight-way power driver's seat.

The Journey version adds a power moonroof, leather upholstery, a power-folding second row, automatic headlights, and front and rear parking sensors.

The EX35 has received much attention lately for its Around View Monitor system and Lane Departure Prevention, and those features are included in a $1,950 Technology Package that also includes adaptive cruise control. A full list of options follows.

2008 Infiniti M35, M45: Details and Pricing

The largest of Infiniti’s sedans gets a mild face-lift for 2008 and some new features. Most important of the updates is newly available all-wheel drive on the V-8-powered M45. This M45x joins the M35x and G35x in Infiniti’s all-wheel-drive sedan lineup. The M35 starts at $43,050, the M35x at $44,800, the M45 at $49,350 and the M45x at $51,850. None of those prices include a $715 destination charge.

The minor exterior and interior cosmetic enhancements are joined by another new option: Infiniti’s Lane Departure Prevention system, which we recently tried out in the EX35 SUV. Full prices, including options, can be found below. The 2008 M35 and M45 are on sale now.

Related
Video: 2008 Infiniti EX35 Tech Features (KickingTires)
2008 Infiniti M Gets a Little Help (KickingTires)

Navigation That Scores: Infiniti G35 Wins With Users

The navigation system offered in the Infiniti G35 is the highest-rated factory-installed system in terms of consumer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which surveyed more than 14,000 motorists who have a factory-installed system in their car.

The system in the Lexus IS 250/350 finished second, while the Acura TL’s was No. 3 in the rankings. The Infiniti G35 and Acura TL systems offer a choice of voice or touch-screen activation, while the Lexus offers voice activation only.

While voice activation is considered the most technologically advanced, it's not the method of choice for nav systems, said Mike Marshall, director of emerging automotive technologies for J.D. Power. He said touch-screen activation was the top choice for 64 percent of nav system users, while 24 percent preferred voice activation, 5 percent favored knob controls and 4 percent wanted to use buttons or dials.

Video: 2008 Infiniti EX35 Tech Features

So we’ve talked about our initial driving impressions of the new Infiniti EX35, and shown a video of it as well. Now, Kelsey Mays walks you through three of the more interesting technology innovations on the compact SUV. Because Infiniti is using the EX35 as a launch pad for these systems, expect to see options like the Around View Monitor and Lane Departure Prevention system added to other models in the near future. For now, check them out in action above.

Related
Video: 2008 Infiniti EX35 (KickingTires)
First Drive: 2008 Infiniti EX35 (KickingTires)

First Drive: 2008 Infiniti EX35

Recently, a few of us from Cars.com were lucky enough to spend some time in Infiniti’s new EX35 compact SUV. While we didn’t have enough time to develop a full review — expect one closer to the car’s on-sale date — we did have some initial thoughts on the driving experience.

• The weird thing about the EX35 is that it truly handles like a car, more specifically, it handles a lot like the Infiniti G35, right down to the roughness you would expect from a sports sedan, not an SUV. The Acura RDX has a similar ride, so you can’t really dock points there. The interior is really nice. Infiniti is going with an opulent look with lots of detail in the upholstery, which is unusual. Tech features like the Around View Monitor and Lane Departure Prevention worked the way you would want them to and were surprisingly natural to the driver.
  
  The real downside of the EX35 is the lack of SUV-ness. It doesn’t ride like an SUV and the cargo area is tiny and not too utilitarian, even when the rear seats are folded. I’m left thinking Infiniti built a nicer-equipped and finished G35, not a great small SUV.  — David Thomas

Video: 2008 Infiniti EX35

Above is the first of two videos we recently shot of Infiniti’s entry in the luxury compact-SUV market, the EX35. Kelsey Mays walks you through the styling and interior features of the company’s answer to the BMW X3 and Acura RDX. We’ll be following up with a video on the car’s tech features, including the around-view monitor and lane departure correction system, as well as some initial thoughts from our reviewers. Enjoy.

2 Minute Faceoff: Infiniti G37 vs. BMW 335i

Before we start to tell you about the video above, we’re going to say right now (right now!) that we don’t want to hear any complaints out of you rascally commenters about us comparing a coupe to a hardtop convertible. We know they’re not exactly the same. But we had both cars in the same place at the same time, we had two minutes, we had Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder in a caffeinated state, so we went with it.

There, we feel better now. Oh, and enjoy the video.

First Impressions: 2008 Infiniti G37

Last week, the crew from Cars.com got to take a spin in a number of new cars from a variety of automakers. With full reviews in the works for most of them, we figured we’d all give our first impressions of some of the more notable cars on hand.

• This was actually the first car I took out in the morning, and I thought I had made a score by grabbing the hot coupe before anyone else. I found the looks of the new G coupe to be subtle but still attractive; the inside was just as nice as the G35 sedan, and I figured the drive would be much more thrilling. Instead, while the G37 is a capable coupe with a smooth shifter and light clutch, it didn’t throw me back in the seat from a stop as much as I had expected, nor did it carve corners energetically. In a car landscape with so many great performers, I’m not sure I’d settle for above-average.  —  David Thomas, KickingTires editor 

Cars.com Faceoff: Luxury Sedan Showdown

Someone recently asked us what the heck it is we do all day at the Cars.com offices, you know, besides blogging here on KickingTires. Well, one of the things we do is compare some of the big players in segments from convertibles to SUVs. This month we took three of the best entries in the luxury sedan market and compared the good, the bad and the kind of expensive. The 2008 BMW 528i, 2008 Cadillac STS and Infiniti M35 deliver style and value, but which one brings home the win?

Cars.comparison: Luxury Performance Sedans (Cars.com)

2008 Infiniti M Gets a Little Help

• Competes with: BMW 5 Series, Acura RL, Lexus GS
• Looks like: A 2007 M after a botox injection
• Drivetrain: 325-hp, 4.5-liter V-8 (M45) or 275-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 (M35), both with five-speed automatic; rear- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: TBA

Infiniti’s impressive M lineup gets some appreciated tweaking for 2008. The biggest news is that both the M35 and M45 will now be available with all-wheel drive. Previously only the M35 was available with AWD. Those models will go by the designations M35x and M45x. Other changes to the M include a new chrome grille and slight alterations to the front and rear ends and the taillights. Interior alterations include a new illumination scheme, upgraded navigation system, standard XM Satellite Radio and a new interior color called Stone.

The Sport package also gets an upgrade with active rear steering, 19-inch wheels, sport seats, a sportier steering wheel and slight body panel enhancements. An optional lane departure system will also be offered for the first time when the 2008 M goes on sale. 

Prices have not been announced, but we expect them to be similar to the current figure of $41,450 for the M35 and $49,100 for the M45. Check out more photos below.

First Look: 2008 Infiniti EX35 Compact SUV

• Competes with: BMW X3, Acura RDX
• Looks like: A lifted G35 sedan
• Drivetrain: 290-hp, 3.5-liter V-6, with five-speed automatic; all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Winter 2007

The luxury compact SUV market is a small one and Infiniti is entering the fray with a bang. The all-new EX35 will sport the same engine as the new G35 sedan but with less horsepower, an estimated “290-plus” hp. That’s quite a bit of power for a small utility vehicle, but having a power advantage over the Acura RDX and the BMW X3 immediately gives shoppers a reason to wait for the EX35 to arrive at dealers.

The list of features on the EX35 is long but a few of the niftiest toys is a “scratch shield” paint that is self healing and can repair light scratches over time. There’s also an optional Around View Monitor system that shows the driver a 360 degree representation of the vehicle and surrounding obstacles. A lane departure warning system will also be optional.

We’ll have more information, prices and photos on the EX35 as more information becomes available. You can find a few more photos, including one of the interior, below.   

Friday Fleet Notes: 8.03.07

This week saw a real hodgepodge of vehicles in and out of the fleet, with some we hadn’t revisited since they were first reviewed. Some oldies turned out to be goodies, while one newcomer didn’t endear itself to the staff.

2008 Chrysler Sebring retractable hardtop

While there’s plenty of good things to say about Sebring retractable-hardtop convertible, some of those good things have related deficiencies.

The Limited trim level I tested had a smooth 3.5-liter V-6, but the engine is tied to a six-speed automatic transmission that was especially clunky during our test when shifting into gear from Park, and when downshifting. Unacceptable.

With the hardtop up, the Sebring is almost as quiet as a traditional closed-roof car. However, despite adding hundreds of pounds to make the convertible stiffer, it creaks a lot when that top is in place.

Infiniti Prices New G37 Coupe

The highly anticipated Infiniti G37 arrives at dealers August 21, and now we know how much it will cost to drive one of the 330 hp coupes off the lot. Prices start at $34,250 for the base model (not including $715 in destination charges). There will also be Journey and Sport models offering different levels of equipment and transmission choices.

Both the base model and Journey come with a five-speed automatic transmission with available paddle shifters, while the Sport comes with a six-speed manual transmission. Only rear-wheel drive models will be available at launch with the all-wheel drive G37x will be available later this year. Full prices and photos are below.

Friday Fleet Notes: 7.13.07

This week the staff takes on three very different vehicles: the Honda CR-V, Infiniti M35 and BMW 650oi convertible.

2007 Honda CR-V EX

My wife was a little stunned when she got into the CR-V; she was expecting a smaller cockpit area, especially given how small the CR-V seems from the outside. “I like the look if it,” the wife said. “It’s sharper-looking than the previous one, not as boxy-looking.”

We took our boys (the daughter is out of town, visiting her cousins) to Costco and loaded up the back, where there was plenty of space. There’s a shelf to hide your cargo, although I wonder if it would fray easily over time. The boys found plenty of legroom in the backseat.

Nissan Says Phones Can Erase Your Key

If you own a 2007 Nissan Altima or Infiniti G35, we have a suggestion: Keep your key fob in one pocket and your cell phone in the other.

According to the Associated Press, Nissan is getting complaints that cell phones are erasing its “intelligent keys” – you know, the ones you don't actually have to put in the ignition – because some phones can alter the fobs' electronic code if the two touch while a call is being made or received.

"When this happens, the I-Key will not start the vehicle and cannot be reprogrammed," Nissan’s statement said.

Ouch. Wrong number, indeed.

Nissan says it’s working on the problem and will give customers new keys sometime this fall. For now, the company recommends keeping your cell phone and your fob “at least 1 inch apart at all times.” Just like when you were dating in junior high.

Brent Adams, vice president and general manager at Action Nissan in Nashville, told AP that the problem involves only a "certain type of phone and this particular service," which he declined to specify. He described the number of complaints as "minute."

Nissan: Cell Phones Can Alter the I-Key (L.A. Times)

New York Auto Show: More Infiniti G37 Images

Infiniti only gave us a few shots of the new Infiniti G37 when we first learned about the new coupe. Today we received a handful of new photos that are very stylistic and show off a bit more of the G37. We’d still like some more traditional shots, but that might have to wait until we see the G37 in New York next week. Until then, the new photos are below.

Infiniti's New Around View Monitor

When Infiniti announced its new EX yesterday, it mentioned it will be the first vehicle to offer a new technology they’re calling the Around View Monitor. We didn’t know all the specs then, but we do now. The system includes four cameras mounted on the front, rear and both side mirrors. A display screen on the dash actually shows a sky view of the vehicle and its surroundings. It’s a bit extreme in our mind; we'd rather perfect our own parking skills rather than rely on technology, but this might become more common place.

Click below for a video of the system in action. You won't believe where the front camera is.

2007 New York Auto Show: Infiniti EX Concept

Infiniti is calling this new compact crossover a concept, but the EX will reach production this year and the final product will look remarkably like this when it arrives at dealerships before the end of 2007.

Infiniti isn’t revealing much about the engine, but we’re guessing it will be a version of the 3.5-liter V-6 found in the G35 sedan, though producing much less power. There could also be a highly tuned four-cylinder like the one in the Nissan SE-R, but we don’t want to speculate too much.

What we do know is there will be two technological gadgets in the EX. One is a lane-departure warning system so you don’t wander into another lane of traffic. The other is much more interesting: Called the Around View Monitor, it uses cameras on the front, side and rear of the car to allow the driver to see more of the blind spots in parking situations.

We’ll learn more about the EX next week at the New York Auto Show, but from the initial image and the fact that this will be out soon, we’re pretty excited as of now.

Click here for a larger image.

2007 Infiniti G37 Breaks Cover

The automotive world used to be all about secrets. Automakers would plan a new vehicle introduction down to the day so they could maximize the “wow” factor of the debut, usually at a major auto show. Infiniti was planning on previewing its G37 coupe a week from today, a full week before its public debut in New York City, but a number of automotive publications decided to spoil the surprise, running the information they received on the new sports coupe ahead of time.

We only have two images for you, yet it’s still obvious that the exterior is significantly different from the past-generation G35 coupe. It doesn’t seem to be an obvious improvement, but it’s not unattractive either.

We can tell you the G37 has a 3.7 liter V-6 engine — modified from the one in the new G35 sedan — that produces 330 hp. There will also be an available four-wheel steering system, but as of right now we don’t have much more official information from Infiniti besides the engine size and power. It does go on to say that the G37 has touch-screen navigation with real-time traffic and a really nice available stereo. We’ll have more on the G37 next week. Until then, we’re sure you can find some other early reports if you look hard enough.

Related:
Infiniti G37 Coupe Debuting at New York Auto Show

Infiniti G37 Coupe Debuting at New York Auto Show

Don’t let the name fool you: The 2008 Infiniti G37 coupe is the new G35 coupe, but the name reflects a larger engine — probably a 3.7-liter V-6 with significantly more than the 306 hp in the G35 sedan. We’re just guessing, of course, but we’ve been around long enough to speculate very, very accurately.

We’ll find out more April 4 when Infiniti reveals the G37 in full, along with an EX concept. We’re not going to speculate on that one too much, but it could be an SUV of some kind. 

Related:
2008 Infiniti G35: In Sketch Form

Cars.com Reviews the 2007 Lincoln MKX, 2007 Infiniti G35

The other day, I was sharing a ride with Mike Hanley when we both noticed a new Lincoln MKX on the highway in front of us. We hurried to catch up to the “creme brulee” SUV. From the rear it really is a looker, with one of the most distinctive designs around. It made me sad that I didn’t get any seat time when it was in the Cars.com fleet. Luckily, Joe Wiesenfelder gives us a thorough look at Lincoln’s latest.

Joe’s been a busy guy, as he also posted his review of the new 2007 Infiniti G35 last week. His take on the updated luxury sedan is right in line with my thoughts in the recent Urban DINK post, after I spent some time with the G35x in snowy Chicago.

2007 Lincoln MKX Review
2007 Infiniti G35 Review

Cars.com Reviews the 2007 Infiniti FX45 and BMW 328i

The latest reviews have just come in. Check out our take on the 2007 Infiniti FX45. Can it stand up to heavy competition four years after it debuted?

Sure, you’ve read a lot about the BMW 335i and its awesome twin-turbo engine, but what about the bread-and-butter 328i? The 3 Series for the masses finally gets the full review treatment it rightfully deserves.

2007 Infiniti FX45 Review
2007 BMW 328i Review

Suburban Dad: 2007 Infiniti FX45

Driving the FX45 turned out to be a battle of genders. Having driven it through a blizzard-like snowstorm (4 inches of snow fell during my two-hour commute home), I became very enamored of the FX45’s sure footing, nimble acceleration and easy handling. My teenage son thought the car looked cool, had plenty of space and was very comfortable. My 10-year-old was so comfortable he fell asleep in the backseat.

My wife was less impressed with the FX45’s looks. “It can’t decide if it wants to be a car or an SUV,” she scoffed, referring to it as “The Roller Skate.” I asked my tweener daughter if she’d want to be seen getting out of it at the junior high school, and she replied: “No, it’s too weird.”

The Urban DINK: 2007 Infiniti G35x

At a wedding not too long ago, a fellow Urban DINK started quizzing me about the new BMW 3 Series and if it was worth the money. The new 3 Series is a great car, but if you have to ask “is it worth the money,” a car like the G35 is probably a better choice. Not because their prices are astronomically different; the 328 starts $1,500 higher than the G35, and the 335 and its larger engine are roughly $7,000 more.

No, it’s because, after a week in an all-wheel-drive G35x, I realized this car is almost as good as a 3 Series on equal footing. Sure, we beat the two together last fall, but on its own, with an automatic, I enjoyed the G35 almost as much as the 3 Series (the 335 with the new twin-turbo is just too amazing to beat out).

2008 Infiniti G35: In Sketch Form

Infiniti won’t say much about its new G35 coupe, shown above in a sketch the company provided. The automaker won’t even let us tell you what auto show it will debut at — though only the Chicago Auto Show in February and the New York International Auto Show in April remain on the docket. We do know it will greatly resemble the revised 2007 G35 sedan in terms of interior and exterior styling and content, and will most likely have the same engine.

Related:
Cars.comparison: Luxury Sport Sedans
All-New 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan Same Price as 2006
2007 G35 Horsepower Revealed: It's 306

Cars.comparison: Luxury Sport Sedans

Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder took on three of the top sport sedans on the market and came up with a clear winner in the latest Cars.comparison. It wasn’t easy; all three contestants — the Acura TL Type-S, BMW 335i and Infiniti G35 — have been significantly improved for the 2007 model year.

Besides the clear winner, find out which one of the three cars handled like a “cat on linoleum” and which one had “addictive” acceleration.