Infiniti G35 sedan

by Pankaj Dev

After spending a couple of days with the new G35 sedan in and around the magnificent roads and countryside snaking the San Francisco bay area, I was grinning like a schoolboy who's just got his favourite candy. My first impression was that Infiniti have definitely done a damn good job with the latest incarnation of the G sedan.

Thumbing the G into life brings about a pleasant gurgle from its dual exhausts and the instrument cluster lights up with back lighting and a soft purple glowing ring in the dials.

Slotting the car into drive and then flicking the paddle shifter to select first, I set off. I wanted to experience the way the G sedan performed when in manual mode, so the paddle shifter was in for some serious work. And it did and in many ways confounded me with its ability to hold gears when I lifted off the throttle. Moreover, it blipped the throttle on its own to match the revs with the gear selected. Neat! When in automatic mode, the gearbox with its multitude of sensors literally appears to analyze the driver's inputs and makes the necessary adjustments to keep the G in the correct gear at all times.

So it was a big thumbs-up to the gearbox and it was nice to know that Infiniti did not try and go the route that other manufacturers are taking, adding more ratios. This five-speed box works just fine and the gearing was spot on - for spirited driving or otherwise.

Our route took us through some narrow winding roads that snaked through the redwood trees before going through some stunning mountain climbs. And this was like nirvana to the G. It took to the terrain like a bee to honey. One turn led to another and yet another and I was reveling in the sensation of having such a surefooted car at my command. I tried to push as hard as my limits would permit and the G gave it more, before my sensibilities got the better of my exuberance and I broke ...first. It did make me realize though, that this car makes one really feel connected to the road, much like the Beemer. There, I have said it. Still maybe not in its league, the G sedan comes really close to getting the ultimate driving experience and that is saying a lot about this car. The G35 felt balanced, poised and ready to be flogged with beautiful road feel, good throttle response, great brakes, and the ever present stability control to catch the more inexperienced driver who might overshoot their abilities.

All in all, the G35 sedan is a car that really epitomizes the long steps Infiniti has taken in recent times and is a fantastic riposte to the all-conquering European sports luxury sedans available. For those who love Japanese cars and are looking for something that can give BMW-like performance and drivability, then look no further than the Infiniti G35 sedan.