2003 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe Features Racing-Inspired Technology, Dramatically Styled Body
Recently named 2003 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the G35 Sport Coupe expresses Infinitis bold new direction of combining leading-edge design
and technology, driver-oriented performance and a high level of luxury. Running changes for the 2003 G35 (August
production) include the addition of xenon headlights to the Leather Luxury model, the addition of the sunroof to the
Premium Package and available satellite radio, with choice of XM or Sirius service.
The G35 Sport Coupe is a car that moves Infiniti forward into new territory, said Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Infiniti
Division. It has the same combination of high performance, rear-wheel drive and luxury amenities of our flagship Q45 and G35 sedans and adds that extra measure of
emotion and excitement that comes with sports car styling and packaging.
Racing-Inspired Foundation
The G35 Sport Coupe features the innovative FM (for front mid-ship) platform, which positions the engine behind the front axle. This results in an optimized
front-to-rear weight balance of 53:47, which factors in weight transfer during key handling maneuvers, such as entering and
exiting corners. The FM platform also positions its large diameter wheels and tires out near the corners of the vehicle,
providing an extra measure of handling stability.
Kazutoshi Mizuno, the G35 Sport Coupes Chief Vehicle Engineer, began development of the basic platform concept in 1995, after heading Nissans
LeMans and Group C racing programs, said McNabb. This combination of racing experience and extensive development
work has created an exceptionally refined package right out of the box for both the G35 sedan and coupe.
Dynamic Performance
Like the G35 Sport Sedan, the G35 Sport Coupe features a standard 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine with aluminum-alloy block and heads and
electronically-controlled drive-by-wire throttle system. The G35 Sport Coupe receives a higher level of engine performance
and exhaust tuning than the sedan, resulting in a horsepower rating of 280, versus the sedans 260 horsepower. Torque is
rated at 270 lb-ft (versus the sedans 260 lb-ft). The G35 Sport Coupe will be offered with a choice of 5-speed automatic
transmission with manual shift mode or an all-new 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission. Infinitis Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) system is standard on every G35 Sport Coupe.
The G35 Sport Coupe also features an advanced 4-wheel multi-link suspension with extensive use of aluminum-alloy components to reduce unsprung
weight and incorporate special ripple control shock absorber technology for responsive yet comfortable ride and handling.
The suspension tuning of the G35 Sport Coupe is more aggressive than the sedan. The G35 Sport Coupe offers standard
17-inch wheel capability including ultra wide P225/50VR17 tires up front with P235/50VR17 tires in the rear. Also
offered are 18-inch wheels and high-performance tires. Standard braking system components include 4-wheel ventilated
disc brakes, Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), with front and rear Brembo brakes offered
on models with the 6-speed manual transmission.
Sporty and Sleek Inside and Out
The exterior of the G35 Sport Coupe offers styling that is both sporty and elegant. It features xenon headlights, LED tail lamps and an available
rear aero wing. The G35 Sport Coupe shares the sedans long 112.2-inch wheelbase but is several inches shorter in overall
length (182.2 inches versus 186.5) and height (54.8 inches versus 57.7). With its performance-oriented chassis, wider
wheel openings and fenders, the G35 Sport Coupe is also slightly wider than the sedan (71.5 inches versus 69.0).
The G35 Sport Coupe is pure Infiniti in terms of its clean, progressive styling, said McNabb. We also believe its one
of the best looking vehicles on the road sport coupe, sports car, any category.
The 4-passenger interior of the G35 Sport Coupe is equally attractive, combining a driver-oriented cockpit with an Infiniti level of luxury and
design detail. The standard sport-contoured front bucket seats are 10-way (6-way power) adjustable for the driver and 4-way
(2-way power) adjustable for the passenger. The seats offer side panel control switches and are available with ultra-soft
leather, manufactured exclusively for Infiniti G35.
An in-dash 6-disc CD changer is standard, while a digital Bose premium audio system with eight speakers and a DVD-based Infiniti Navigation System with
6.5-inch wide retractable monitor are optionally available. The sculpted fold-down rear seat offers seating for two
passengers or an expanded cargo area. Other interior amenities include an Infiniti signature analog clock, Fine Vision
electrofluorescent gauge illumination and driver and passenger one-touch up/down power windows and door locks, to name just a few.
High-Level of Safety
From a safety standpoint, every G35 Sport Coupe comes with standard dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors, front seat
side-impact supplemental air bags and front and rear seat curtain side-impact supplemental air bags. Also standard are
seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchors and tether system.
Like the G35 Sport Sedan, the new G35 Sport Coupes FM platform is designed to help protect occupants from strong impacts and
large vehicle body deformation in a collision by efficiently absorbing crash energy. Front-end collisions include full
frontal impacts, in which a crushable body construction is needed to reduce the deceleration g-force of the cabin.
In a high-speed frontal collision, for example, the crushable zone crumples while the engine moves as if to drop under the floor. This has the
effect of expanding the crushable zone, thereby reducing deceleration g-force and simultaneously helping minimize cabin
deformation, especially in the leg area.
In offset impacts, a strong body construction is needed to decrease the amount of cabin deformation. Other features also contribute to improved
occupant safety, including the breakaway construction of the
propeller shaft (connected with the engine-drop function) and
the double-wall construction of the bulkhead.
Models and Packages
The 2003 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe is offered in three fully equipped models, the G35 Coupe 5A/T Model, G35 Coupe Leather 5A/T Model and G35 Coupe Leather
6M/T Model. The G35 Sport Coupe also offers a Premium Package, Aero Package and a Performance Tire & Wheel Package. Other
available options include navigation system, sunroof and Bose audio system.
The G35 Coupe 5A/T Model includes standard features such as a 3.5-liter DOHC V6, CVTCS, dual outlet exhaust, five-speed
automatic transmission with manual shift mode, drive-by-wire throttle, 17-inch aluminum wheels, Electronic Brake force
Distribution (EBD), vented front and rear disc brakes with ABS, 120-watt AM/FM in-dash 6-disc CD changer, automatic
temperature control, power windows/door locks and mirrors, xenon headlights, front-passenger side-impact curtain airbag, front seat side-impact airbags.
The G35 Coupe Leather 5A/T Model includes all of the standard features plus soft-type leather appointed seating surfaces with embroidered Infiniti
logo, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, steering wheel audio controls, heated seats.
And for the ultra-enthusiast, the G35 Coupe Leather 6M/T Model adds a 6-speed, close-ratio manual transmission and Brembo brakes.
The G35 Sport Sedan has launched to outstanding reviews and strong sales, worthy of its segment leading performance, packaging and style,
said McNabb. The new G35 Sport Coupe builds on that momentum, powering Infiniti to the same leadership position in the sport coupe class.
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