SOUND OFF: Did Infiniti Play It Too Safe On The New G37?

[BostonMerlin]

This quote by autospies is nothing new to those on the forum who debate this issue daily.. none the less....


After looking at the before and after shots of the new G37, we are left wondering just why the refresh is so subtle. With an admittedly stale line up, one might expect that they would reach out with a far more edgy design with the G37 when compared to the G35.

But to us the new G37 just seems like a very mild rendition of the same old theme bordering too far on the safe side.

Did Infiniti push the envelope enough? Or are they still in need of a major makeover?

http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent009/1_001.jpg


ref link:
http://www.autospies.com/news/SOUND-OFF-Did-Infiniti-Play-It-Too-Safe-On-The-New-G37-15533/ (http://www.autospies.com/news/SOUND-OFF-Did-Infiniti-Play-It-Too-Safe-On-The-New-G37-15533/)

[4U4ME]

MB, BMW, Porsche, Audi... list goes on
ask those people what do they do with their cars.
its not only safe way, its big boys game...
Autospies have stupid titles for thir news and articles

[Riffster]

Autospies does make some silly statements, but that's as much to attract attention as anything else.

Besides, it's nice to read of someone whom has some of the same feelings as some who consider themselves G fans - like me for example! There are more than a few who feel the G37 isn't what they had hoped to see after the Coupe Concept was shown last year and I confess I am somewhat of the same feeling.

The only thing is that I keep waiting to see the G37 in person and decide then if it is an evolutionary step worth making or a retreat into Lexus-ism - which is the same as 'playing it safe.'

And also - the engine and chassis - if that's improved as much as some are writing, that will go a long ways towards damping any ill feelings about 'softening' the G coupe's style. But again, that will need some more waiting and a test drive to confirm. :(

- Riff

[MrRyte]

Maybe if Infiniti didn't show the ultra-sexy Coupe Concept first then the new G37 Coupe wouldn't have been such a styling letdown. Like so many others, I was estatic about the Coupe Concept and so upset to see the finally product. But showing it in colors other than dull grey will do the G37 a ton of good.


On a side note: It's a shame that some of the people in that thread have to digress to idiocy once they come across an opinion different from their own. Example:

http://www.autospies.com/images/default-icon.gif (http://www.autospies.com/users/BigShow50/)BigShow50 (http://www.autospies.com/users/BigShow50/) - 5/24/2007 10:51:26 PM
-1 Boost

LMAO!!!....Hey FanBoy3000 thanks for the spelling B-101, greatly appreciated. But it just so happens that both these car companies I have least favour of...so as for spelling it doesn't matter to me at all. But thanks anyways. As for a car guy? For sure I am!!! Besides all this...how is your wife and my kids?

reply to this comment (http://www.autospies.com/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/news/SOUND-OFF-Did-Infiniti-Play-It-Too-Safe-On-The-New-G37-15533/)



http://www.autospies.com/images/users/FanBoy3000//icon-th.jpg (http://www.autospies.com/users/FanBoy3000/)FanBoy3000 (http://www.autospies.com/users/FanBoy3000/) - 5/25/2007 2:16:52 AM
+3 Boost

Buddy, stop trying to peg it on ME because she left YOUR hairy back, beer belly, underbite jaw, cross-eyed, wart ridden, inbred ass.

How's the wrestling career going? You made it past your parents' backyard yet?





Sad to say, there are some people that shouldn't be allowed near a keyboard.:rolleyes:

[DaveC]

I gota admit I'm not wow'd by the design. On the other hand, I am wow'd by the Dyno results.

I'm not sure I want to purchase another car that looks so much like the one I own now. Bad enough I have to be married to the same woman for 25years.........

With a mid life crisis in mind I think I'll keep the wife and trade the Coupe for a Cayman S. Cheaper in both the short and long term.

[Mike_TX]

I agree the coupe's restyling is underwhelming. Unless they notice the chrome lip on its butt or the G37 badge, most people will drive right by and never know it's a new model.

Now, the real fans will know when they see one, but I think Infiniti needed to make more of a statement with it than they did. I consider it a missed opportunity, but I admittedly wasn't in the market for a coupe anyway.

.
.

[oghowie]

I used to think the new G35 sedan was understyled but now I'm starting to love the way it looks. Hopefully, the same will happen with the new coupe.

[helldorado]

I think I've beat this horse enough. I'm just waiting to see what the arrival of new bodykits will provide. While I think it suffers in stock form, I think the car provides immense potential for some truly stunning aftermarket offerings.

[jsaylor]

un... der... whelmed.

I think the sedan refresh did just enough, and hopefully with the 3.7 coming to it in 08/09 it'll hold up well. But the coupe, ugh. I still can't put my finger on all the subtle differences between the show-car prototype from last year to this one , but Infiniti lost a lot in the translation. The show car looked hot, this looks boring now - imagine another 2+ years.

[Kurt]

I think I've beat this horse enough.

Not me - I've got some fight left. :26:

I'm with some of the other posters here - the LOOKS underwhelm me, the DYNO results seem very impressive.

The big irony for me is that ever since I got my '03 coupe, I've pretty much decided that looks wise, I'd need to spend about twice the amount of money that the coupe cost before hitting a car I'd rather have. That's pretty cool.

So, I clearly like the look of the G, and so the fact that it hasn't really changed much with this re-design shouldn't make me disappointed, but it does.

I also don't get the comments that it looks more agressive - I'm not seeing that at all.

Oh well, I reserve the right to see one, and change my mind later. I just won't be in line this time around!

[NissLover]

Infiniti would have lost either way they went. People would have still complained if they went radical with the coupe or kept it evo. like they did. If it were radical people would have been saying, "it lost the blah blah of the G35 coupe". I give credit to Infiniti for doing the best they could trying to translate the Concept into production form, some things just can make it to production. I know they had some sleepless nights over this thing. For example the front end probably had to change because of pedestrian safety regulations. To sum it all up, people were going to be dissapointed no matter what the hell they did to the thing!

Hell the G35 coupe was sexy, so since the G37 looks so much like it, I consider it sexy too.

[ZYAL8R808]

As stated by 4U4ME, BMW, MB and Audi all are conservative when it comes to redesigning a vehicle. The 3-series now looks very similar from the 3-series over ten years ago but they do just enough to keep their customers loyal and attract new customers. Infiniti is smart in what they did the the G sedan and coupe. Infiniti is still trying to build a recognizable image and brand loyalty that MB and BMW have.

I'm actually impressed by the new G37 due to the long list of revisions to features and performance. The addition of a 3.7L with as much HP as it has is quite a big step foward in a single generation.

[joeym43]

Did they play it safe? Yes, but you have to remember the G35 is one of the best looking cars under 100k. Don't mess with a good formula.

I'm underwhelmed by the pics as well, but seeing it in different colors helps. I have a good feeling it will look very good in person.

[Opplock48]

Infiniti would have lost either way they went. People would have still complained if they went radical with the coupe or kept it evo. like they did. If it were radical people would have been saying, "it lost the blah blah of the G35 coupe". I give credit to Infiniti for doing the best they could trying to translate the Concept into production form, some things just can make it to production. I know they had some sleepless nights over this thing. For example the front end probably had to change because of pedestrian safety regulations. To sum it all up, people were going to be dissapointed no matter what the hell they did to the thing!

Hell the G35 coupe was sexy, so since the G37 looks so much like it, I consider it sexy too.
NissLover, you are a brudda indeed...anyone not in the business of designing/developing/producing cars has the slightest clue to the agonies in doing so. You're dead right on the front end--there's lots to worry designers with the pedestrian safety standards and now that Infiniti's going global that has to be considered for ALL versions regardless of point of sale. Then, there's produce-ability; does this model require specialized tooling or an exclusive part that raises the development cost/hurts crash standards/weighs too much etc etc and maybe exceeds its cost target and puts it out of reach of the customer?
There's always the sidewalk superintendent who beefs "why didn't they change it MORE"...or..."they ruined it, the old model looked much better!" Designers create a shape and then the component groups have to deal with the realities of meeting production standards. You're correct, it IS a "translation" and sometimes things do get diluted in that translation. "Concept" cars don't have to pass crash standards, don't have to meet cost targets and represent the designers' passion which isn't always the final reality. I think the G37 looks damn good and to those who haven't seen it in the metal, please reserve judgement until you've seen (and preferably driven) it. It's improved in every way...structure, ride, quality, performance and it sounds great too.

[NissLover]

Exactly, I am sure Infiniti could have made the G37 look exactly like the concept, but everyone would complain about the $39k base price, lol.

[dseag2]

As stated by 4U4ME, BMW, MB and Audi all are conservative when it comes to redesigning a vehicle. The 3-series now looks very similar from the 3-series over ten years ago but they do just enough to keep their customers loyal and attract new customers. Infiniti is smart in what they did the the G sedan and coupe. Infiniti is still trying to build a recognizable image and brand loyalty that MB and BMW have.

I'm actually impressed by the new G37 due to the long list of revisions to features and performance. The addition of a 3.7L with as much HP as it has is quite a big step foward in a single generation.

Sorry, but I don't consider the changes made to the current E-Class, CLK, S-Class, 5 Series, 7 Series, A6 or Z4 conservative relative to the previous generation of any of those models. I guess it's all open to interpretation, but as one auto magazine said when the current E-Class was introduced, "it makes the previous generation E-Class look like the box it came in".

I agree that Infiniti could have gotten a little more aggressive with the redesign, but the original G Coupe was almost timeless in an SC300/400 sorta way, so hopefully the changes will just bring it up to date.

Funny, no one has mentioned the interior improvements. To me, they seem significant, and that's where you spend your time when you're driving. I could never warm up to the interior of the original Coupe, but I'd actually consider the new one.

[Bocatrip]

un... der... whelmed.

I think the sedan refresh did just enough, and hopefully with the 3.7 coming to it in 08/09 it'll hold up well. But the coupe, ugh. I still can't put my finger on all the subtle differences between the show-car prototype from last year to this one , but Infiniti lost a lot in the translation. The show car looked hot, this looks boring now - imagine another 2+ years.

I agree...... If we are somewhat underwhelmed so early in the game, can you imagine how mundane it will become when the car starts selling?

[BostonMerlin]

you guys are obviously entitled to your opinion.. but dont lump the rest of us in with your statements.. i love both the g35c and g37.. both fantastic cars that appeal to different buyers. my buddy never liked the g35c but sees a more aggressive (less toy-like) car with the g37... his words not mine. i owned a g35c and loved it.. but my tastes have changed since 2004.. i wouldnt buy the g35c again.. the g37 hits the sweet spot for me now.

[helldorado]

Funny, no one has mentioned the interior improvements. To me, they seem significant, and that's where you spend your time when you're driving. I could never warm up to the interior of the original Coupe, but I'd actually consider the new one.What is there to mention? Its probably 99% a copy of the sedan interior. We all gushed over that with the new sedan, but there's nothing different here. Not that we don't appreciate the coupe's interior, its just that its not anything new.

[G_Nice]

I would say I'm in a similar camp as BM. I owned a g35c... one of the first in Canada, and loved it, but there are things that I wanted to see enhanced; interior, horsepower and handling. While I was looking forward to an update of the g35c style, I didn't want to see any radical changes because I didn't think it needed much changes.

This update may not be for everyone, but for me the whole package was very attractive. I can understand someone not wanting to upgrade from their g35 and I can get it why someone preferring the styling of the G35c over the G37. I definitely relate to the emotional letdown of the G37 and the Coupe Concept.

What I don't get is people ripping to G37. To me it doesn't make sense. The car has not changed that significantly for the G35 that is has somehow become bad. There are many great things to appreciate about the G37. Its a great choice for many and not the right choice for other.

[m45sport]

I have been following Nissan and Infiniti products for years. And for anyone that has paid attention for sometime would see that Nissan & Infiniti's concept vehicles never usually offer some the things that excite you on the concept vehicles to carry over to the production models. Take the New M. The concept vehicle was sexy as heck. Although I think Infiniti did a good job with the M from its concept. And yes, maybe Infiniti is playing it a little safe for now regarding the G37, I think it will just give them more room for future changes.

[dseag2]

What is there to mention? Its probably 99% a copy of the sedan interior. We all gushed over that with the new sedan, but there's nothing different here. Not that we don't appreciate the coupe's interior, its just that its not anything new.

It may not be different from the new sedan, but it's different from the G35 Coupe and that's what we're comparing it to.

[Eagle1]

I have seen it, and driven it.
Up close and personal, it is a much more dramatic change than the impression in pictures. I was not initially charged up at the look from the pictures, but when I saw and got in it, I was very much more impressed. And I liked it.
As for driving it...........BIG change, truly!

[G_Nice]

Eagle1, Don't want to put you on the spot, but if you've driven the G37, you need to spill the bean. Now I'm assuming your not under embargo are you?????

[NissLover]

He probably is. It looks like he is on board with Nissan Sport.

[Opplock48]

I have seen it, and driven it.
Up close and personal, it is a much more dramatic change than the impression in pictures. I was not initially charged up at the look from the pictures, but when I saw and got in it, I was very much more impressed. And I liked it.
As for driving it...........BIG change, truly!
Yes! YES! That's what I mean...if you haven't stood next to it, driven it etc you don't realize how good a successor it really is to the "old" car.
It has its own presence that has to be seen real time to appreciate...or at least I think so!

[07G35S]

Seems most of the rave reviews come from within the car... not that that's a bad thing.. just making an observation!

[negative]

Nissan did a horrible job on the next generation. A perfect example of an excellent job is the FB > FC > FD (RX-7's).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Mazda-rx7-1st-generation01.jpg
http://blog.rhkorea.com/attach/1/1376398074.jpg
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1/spiritrseats004mc3.jpg

[G_Nice]

Nice evolution. The RX-7 still looks great after all these years. I don't have pics, but the Celica/Supra would be another good example

[BostonMerlin]

Seems most of the rave reviews come from within the car... not that that's a bad thing.. just making an observation!

if what you mean is that good reviews came from those who've seen the car in person.. i agree. i never sat in the car. I'm buying this bad-boy on looks alone... in person its a beautiful machine.
bm