The 2008 INFINITI G35 Sedan builds on the second-generation 2007 model’s myriad revisions, which included a next-generation 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V6; a striking new exterior defined by the sleek wave form hood, signature G-style taillights and raked A-pillars for an athletic stance; a crafted, Takumi-inspired interior environment; and the audiophile-quality INFINITI Studio on Wheels ä by Bose® .
For the 2008 model year, enhancements include a first-ever offering of a Sport Package for the G35x AWD model (in addition to being available on the G35 Journey Sport Package) and a new 18-inch Tire and Wheel Package for G35x AWD (late availability); revised Technology and Navigation Packages; available INFINITI iPod® Interface and Driver’s Audio Stage; and standard XM® Satellite Radio (requires XM® subscription, sold separately). There is also one new exterior color – Desert Platinum.
“In just two generations, the INFINITI G Sedan has reshaped customer perceptions of luxury sports sedans,” said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, INFINITI Division. “With its enticing performance, stunning exterior, crafted interior and intuitive, user-friendly technology, the G goes beyond the machine-like sameness of conventional sport sedans, rewarding the driver in every imaginable dimension.”
Sporty, Sensual Styling
The second-generation G35 Sedan’s vibrant design began as an evolution of the original’s, with its long, wave-like hood, raked A-pillars and athletic stance. It is clean, simple and projects a balance of power and grace that is suggestive of the performance potential within.
The front of the 2008 G is highlighted by its L-shaped headlights and dramatic INFINITI signature grille with sculpted “twisted” horizontal blades inspired by traditional Japanese swords. High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-xenon headlights with fog lights are standard, while an Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), which automatically controls the headlight lighting pattern according to steering angle and vehicle speed to help provide better visibility at night, is optional.
The G’s silhouette offers a wedged roofline and a sweeping bodyside character line that emphasizes both the rich shoulder surfaces and the G’s rear-wheel drive orientation.
In the rear, the refined, evolutional L-shaped LED taillights express the G heritage and the INFINITI design identity. The trunk lid is accented by an integrated spoiler, while prominent dual exhaust outlets complete the sporty appearance.
The G35 Sport 6MT and Sport Package-equipped G35 Journey and G35x AWD models offer a unique front fascia and side sills, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires. A full rear spoiler is also available.
A Crafted Interior Environment
The 2008 G Sedan’s interior was designed to create a harmony between its dedicated driver’s cockpit and comfortable passenger space – and between modern technology and traditional Japanese design cues. The result is a “modern warmth” that is unique in the sport sedan segment.
“Traditionally, there have been two schools of thought in sport sedan interiors – cold, machine-like precision or soft, indulgent luxury,” said Igo. “In the second-generation G, we’ve found a way to thoroughly engage the driver, while embracing passengers with finely crafted hospitality.”
The driver’s space of the 2008 G has a simple, intuitive layout. The instrument panel features electroluminescent gauges with white-and-violet instrumentation. White is used because it provides the highest contrast, while violet is used as a premium accent color. A center information display, located between the tachometer and speedometer, conveys updates from the drive computer (average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel economy, average speed, elapsed time, running distance, distance to empty, outside air temperature, warning displays, odometer and automatic transmission shift indicator).
Another detail that has roots in Japanese design is the G’s “Washi”-style textured aluminum-alloy accents. Washi is a form of elegant, handmade Japanese paper. The aluminum trim pieces are located on the center console, across the instrument panel and on the door panels.
The G’s steering wheel is double-stitched by hand – a process that takes more than an hour to complete. The benefit is significant, allowing the stitches to be moved away from where the driver’s hands rest for a smoother, improved feel.
Another unique feature of the G Sedan is its available 10-speaker INFINITI Studio on Wheels™ by Bose® Premium Audio System, combining the industry’s first 3-way front door speaker array using 10-inch woofers with an audiophile-quality head unit incorporating double oversampling 24-bit 96KHz Burr Brown® Digital Audio Converters.
The G’s optional touch screen INFINITI Navigation System features available XM ® NavTraffic™ with real-time traffic information and a 9.3GB Music Box hard drive. Other technologies include standard INFINITI Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, standard 7.0-inch color monitor display, available INFINITI iPod ® Interface and Driver’s Audio Stage, standard XM ® Satellite Radio (requires XM ® subscription, sold separately), available RearView Monitor and Bluetooth ® Hands-free Phone System.
All 2008 G35s come equipped with standard leather-appointed seating in a choice of Wheat (except Sport-equipped vehicles), Stone or Graphite. Along with the standard Washi-style aluminum trim, premium genuine wood (straight-grained African Rosewood) accents are optionally available.
A New Generation V6 and FM Platform
The soul of the G35 has always been its dynamic performance and at the heart of its advanced drivetrain has always been its award-winning VQ35 3.5-liter V6 engine and advanced FM (Front Mid-ship) platform. Both engine and platform were significantly enhanced for use with the second-generation G Sedan.
The VQ-series V6, which has been named one of the “Ten Best Engines” by Ward’s Auto World magazine for 13 consecutive years (now in its fourth generation) was thoroughly revised last year, with approximately 80% of major parts (except bolts, O-rings and clips) redesigned.
The block features ladder frame construction for greater rigidity and crank journal and pin diameters were increased. The block height was increased by 8.4 millimeters to reduce piston side force and the engine center is now 15 millimeters lower, which also contributes to the G’s improved dynamic performance.
Other new-generation engine enhancements included the addition of standard variable exhaust cam timing (eCVTCS), a higher redline (increased from 6,600 rpm to 7,600 rpm) and higher compression ratio (10.6:1 versus the previous 10.3:1), asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, improved coolant flow and new Iridium spark plugs.
A symmetric twin ram air intake system reduces airflow resistance by 18% and functionally increases horsepower while driving – for example, a three hp increase is achieved at 60 miles per hour versus the previous generation. The dual exhaust system features equal length exhaust manifolds and low muffler exhaust pressure (25% less than the first generation G35) to help improve engine breathing. Both are tuned to create a performance exhaust note, helping enhance driving pleasure.
The engine is rated 306 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque, a significant power improvement from the previous generation VQ, while also offering improvements in emissions and fuel economy.
The newest VQ engine design also includes a long list of advanced systems – including a Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS), a “noiseless” timing chain for quiet operation, an electronically controlled “drive-by-wire” throttle system, microfinished crank journals and cam lobes, and molybdenum coated lightweight pistons.
“There are a couple of unique features you notice about this new generation VQ engine – first, the great engine sound and the absence of the usual engine noises and vibrations,” said Igo. “And secondly, the tuning strategy that is not strictly about standing-start acceleration, but a more refined balance of quick acceleration that builds continuously to the redline, which we call “Swell” acceleration. It’s a deepening pleasure that keeps getting better as you drive, like a building wave.”
The 2008 G Sedan again offers a choice of 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode or a 6-speed manual transmission. The 5-speed automatic features Downshift Rev Matching, Drive Sport mode and ASC (Adaptive Shift Control) that allows for sportier shifts in performance driving situations.
The 2008 G’s driving pleasure is also due in great measure to its performance technology-inspired second generation FM platform, which locates the engine behind the front axle in the “Front Mid-ship” position. The positioning of the engine provides good front-to-rear weight balance, while the combination of long wheelbase, manageable overall length and wide front and rear track adds to the G35 Sedan’s overall handling stability.
The G’s suspension is a 4-wheel independent design with lightweight aluminum components and front and rear stabilizer bars, designed to provide nimble and natural feeling handling, as well as a controlled, refined ride. The front suspension minimizes alignment changes through use of a single pivot lower wishbone and a long upper link. The rear design separates the shock absorbers and springs, locating the shock absorber inline with the wheel center to help reduce suspension friction and reduce the wind-up motion of the axle on acceleration.
2008 INFINITI G35 Sport 6MT and Sport Package-equipped RWD models offer an optional Four-Wheel Active Steer system, which helps improve vehicle handling performance by varying the front steering ratio and adjusting the geometry of the rear suspension according to steering input and vehicle speed.
The 2008 G35 is also offered with a state-of-the-art “intelligent” all-wheel drive system. The G35x AWD model features INFINITI’s ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system, which is also utilized on the M35x, M45x, EX and FX.
The system utilizes an active torque distribution management system with an active center clutch designed for smooth starts and better traction and maneuverability on snowy roads than conventional all-wheel drive systems, plus minimal compromise of rear-wheel drive performance characteristics on dry roads.
All 2008 G35s, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, come with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), helping to enhance vehicle stability under a variety of driving conditions, while Viscous Limited Slip Differential (VLSD) is included on RWD G35 Sport-equipped vehicles.
The G’s brake system utilizes power-assisted 4-wheel vented disc brakes with 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Larger brakes are offered on the G35 Sport 6MT and Sport Package RWD-equipped models. Also available is a Preview Braking system (with Intelligent Cruise Control). The power steering system is a twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensing design, which provides optimum steering effort at both high and low vehicle speeds.
The 2008 G features standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P225/55R17 tires, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 225/50R18 front and P245/45R18 rear W-rated tires on the G35 Sport 6MT and Sport Package-equipped RWD models. An 18-inch Wheel and Tire Package, with 225/50R18 tires, is now offered on G35x AWD with Sport Package models (late availability). A Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) is standard on all 2008 G35 Sedans.
All 2008 G35 Sedans come equipped with INFINITI’s Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor, front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted side-impact curtain air bags for front- and rear-seat occupant head protection.
Also standard are 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver’s side ELR only) and front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors, front seat Active Head Restraints and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system. Brake-Operated Pre-Crash Seat Belts are available as part of the Technology Package.
The G35 also features Zone Body Construction with front and rear crushable zones to help disperse crash energy around the passenger compartment.
Four Available Models
The 2008 INFINITI G35 Sedan is available in four models – G35, G35 Journey, G35x AWD and G35 Sport 6MT. In addition to the long list of standard and available equipment on the G35, G35 Journey and G35x AWD models, G35 Sport 6MT models (as well as models equipped with the Sport Package) add drilled aluminum pedals, sport seats with thigh extensions and driver’s power bolster adjustments, upgraded brakes and Viscous Limited Slip Differential, along with magnesium paddle shifters on Sport Package-equipped models.
Several options and packages are available for the 2008 G35 Sedan, including the Sport Package (newly available on 2008 G35x AWD), new G35x AWD 18-inch Wheel and Tire Package, Performance Tire and Wheel Package (G35 Journey), Premium Package, Moonroof, Navigation Package, Technology Package, Four-Wheel Active Steer Package, rear spoiler and straight-grained Premium African Rosewood trim.
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Issued by Infiniti