2003 Car of the Year Winner

"Superb powertrain, maybe the best available in this price range." "Dynamically, this thing is a winner. So capable, so confidence-inspiring." "The best-looking new sport coupe on the road today." "Balance, poise, good driver feedback--finally, a real driver's car from Infiniti." "The G35 will keep the folks in Munich working overtime." "These cars rock...."

These comments come from the Car of the Year test logbooks that rode along with the Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan and Sport Coupe during our multiweek evaluation process. There are pages more of these observations, and although the words are different, the sentiments remain the same: These are terrific machines.

BMW may have invented the modern midsize sport sedan, and few would argue that the 5 Series in many ways still defines it. But with the new G35 Sport Sedan, Infiniti has capitalized on the formula, applied its own brand of cool, casual luxury, added an impressive measure of performance, and brought the whole thing in at price levels on a par with--or below--the smaller 3 Series. The sinuous G35 Sport Coupe carves out its own piece of the marketplace--and does so again with style, performance, luxury, and value for money.

Both Sport Coupe and Sedan are based on an all-new Front Mid-ship (FM) platform, which also underpins Nissan's new 350Z--a good omen for the performance-oriented driver--and will form the basis for several more Infiniti and Nissan products that will appear over the next few years. The notion behind FM is that the engine is placed as far back, and as low, in the engine compartment as is feasible, the goal being better front/rear weight distribution. In this case, mission accomplished, as the G35 boasts a near perfect 52/48 front/rear weight bias.

Don't think of the Sport Coupe as just a shortened version of the four-door. In fact, the G Men ride on the same 112.2-inch wheelbase, and the platform's short front and rear overhangs help maximize cabin space. Though they're clearly related, they don't share a single body panel. Coming up with a design that's fresh, well-proportioned, and cleanly detailed has often proven a challenge for most Japanese carmakers, but Infiniti has done the job with the Gs. The Sport Sedan's airy greenhouse is attractive, and its flanks are clutter free. Its front styling is recognizably Infiniti and makes successful use of a vertical headlight treatment. Strong and well balanced wheel/tire/fenderwell relationships give the G35 Sport Sedan a look of substance.

Ah, the Sport Coupe. It recasts the sedan's familial flavor in fastback coupe form--and then loads on the garlic. This is a spicy-looking machine, with hunkering proportions--especially evident in its muscular rear shoulders--purposeful rolling stock, and an even more aggressive stance. Jewelry, in the form of Xenon headlamps, LED taillights, and polished dual exhausts, adds more visual interest. But enough fancy design talk: The G35 Sport Coupe simply looks fabulous.