Full Disclosure: Infiniti wanted me to drive the new G37 Convertible so badly they flew me out and put me up in a pretentious hotel to make sure I wrote about it. Also, they fed me steak, but they spelled it "STK." Is nothing sacred?

Rounding a corner quickly somewhere in the part of Malibu that looks like Kentucky, there's suddenly a fat chick in a sweaty halter-top waddling down the middle of the road. A screeching halt and, out of nowhere, there's cops. Waving at us. They seem to want us to pass tubby. Not wanting to interrupt this interesting flow of events we do what they want and proceed down the road, considerably slower than before.

"The Biggest Loser: Marathon" mile markers we'd been passing fairly regularly for the last few miles should have been a clue, but pushing the Infiniti's communicative front into, then working the rear tires with the revvy 325 HP V6 out of the 90 degree, perfectly flat corners, passing horses standing behind white board fences and getting a sunburn was proving too much of a distraction.

Only after encountering Cayenne-mounted camera crews did it dawn on us we'd entered some kind of bizarre reality show in which fat people embarrass themselves with the hope of regaining some sort of dignity.

Slowing down, the G37 transforms from an out-and-out sportscar into a mild mannered cruiser, just two guys slowly easing past overly-tanned presenters in our light shade of we're-confident-in-our-sexuality blue, top down, not a care in the world except for avoiding the darker blue-veined jiggling mounds of cellulite creeping out underneath the cuffs of jogging shorts.

On to a missile-testing facility on the coast and suddenly the landscape is all landslides and fog, the risk of skin cancer replaced by clammy salt air. Up with the top and on into traffic hell as we snarl our way to eat English food next to an old-timey pier complete with a vintage Ferris wheel.

Through a quirk of culture, geography and prevailing winds, this tiny little corner of Southern California packs the ups and downs of an entire world into an afternoon's drive. It's got the worst traffic on the continent, but some of the best driving roads. Some of the ugliest industry but breathtaking views. There's risk of forest fires, floods, earthquakes and landslides, yet here lie the nicest houses in the country. It's through variety like this that the G37 Convertible was designed to excel.

Over the Coupe, the Convertible gains a folding roof, loses all but 2.5 cubic feet of storage space in the trunk when that roof is folded, adds a wider track, unique rear suspension and a bunch of chassis bracing to retain rigidity. Retained is the Coupe's 3.7-liter, 325 HP, 267 Lb-Ft engine and all of the Coupe's driving ability.

It also gains a new Bose stereo with speakers mounted in the headrests. Top up or down it delivers crisp, powerful sound. That lack of compromise - aside from the lack of trunk space - is what defines the G37 Convertible. Top down, it doesn't allow the wind to muss my pretty hair, top up it's vault-quiet. Drive fast and the chassis is responsive and feelfull. Drive slow and revel in the cushy ride. The seven-speed autobox is good too, shifting gears with aggression when your right foot is planted and fading into the background when its not. The optional six-speed manual shifts slickly too.

Unlike traditional folding hard top convertibles, the G37 doesn't sacrifice its looks. Top up, it's hard to tell its not a coupe, with panel seams carefully integrated into the design. Top down and you have something even prettier; Infiniti's design has finally come of age with last year's G37 Coupe and now this Convertible.

Drive the G37 Convertible in traffic and you have a mild-mannered luxury car, isolating you from the creeping rage of a city without a unified identity. Drive the G37 fast on a country road and you have a responsive, open-air sports car. Cruise down the PCH and you have a good-looking poseur's car that won't whip the gel out of your carefully coiffed publicist's do.

But these are also reasons why we'd never buy a G37 Convertible. Pasty, malnourished, under-exercised East Coasters, we prefer to suffer for our art instead of having the easy life delivered to us on a golden platter. We're not happy with a sportscar unless it's hard to drive, uncomfortable in any car that makes it look like we can afford to pay rent and can't own a convertible because we don't want to be more in touch with the things around us; we don't like the things around us.

Those fat people were waddling a marathon so that thin people in LA can remind themselves what wonderful people they are. The G37 needs to define itself in a similar way; it's better than its competitors in every easily definable way — better looking than a 335i, better handling than an A4, faster than an IS250, less boring than a CLK — but seeks to achieve nothing greater on its own. Attempting merely to be better than others, rather than fulfilling the promise of its own potential in some unique way. If it pushed the limits in one specific direction at the expense of another, we'd probably love it. But, as it is, its smile is just a little too white, its tan just a little too bronze.

Nissan Releases New G-Series line

When you have a vehicle line – say the Infiniti G – that has chalked up award after award, topped comparison test after comparison test, and endeared itself to a growing legion of passionate owners, what do you do for an encore? If you happen to be a world-class performance luxury brand – say like Infiniti – the answer is simple: Everything. The popular Infiniti G roars into the 2009 model year with an extensive array of changes, including:

* The addition of an all-new Infiniti G37 Convertible model, slated to launch in the first quarter of 2009
* A new 328-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine for the Infiniti G Sedan – now designated the G37 Sedan
* A new all-wheel drive model for the Infiniti G Coupe, the G37x
* A new 7-speed automatic transmission for all Infiniti G models (6-speed manuals transmissions also available)

"A little success makes you want to try harder. A lot of success makes you want to blow the doors off the competition again – which we're poised to do with the new, intensified Infiniti G lineup for 2009," said Ben Poore, Infiniti's vice president of marketing. "Year after year we strive to offer our customers one of the freshest product lineups in the industry – which we've done again in 2009 with the new second-generation Infiniti FX, upcoming G Convertible and the enhanced G37 Coupe and G37 Sedan."

2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible

The all-new G37 Convertible, the first-ever open-air G, is set for a mid-2009 model year introduction. Based on the current G37 Coupe, the G Convertible promises stunningly seductive styling and G-worthy dynamic performance. The new G37 Convertible will feature a three-piece automatic retracting hardtop, to keep a coupe-like roofline, and available unique interior treatment. Audio and HVAC systems have been enhanced to provide an inviting experience with the top up or down. The all-new Infiniti G37 Convertible is set to make its world debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

2009 Infiniti G37 Sport Sedan

The Infiniti G premium high-performance sport sedan receives a significant upgrade under the skin in 2009 with the addition of a new VQ37VHR "VVEL" 3.7-liter V6 rated at 328 horsepower. It is mated to a new 7-speed automatic transmission or close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.

Now designated as the Infiniti G37 Sedan, other major changes include new available sport brakes with 4-piston front/2-piston rear calipers and large 14-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors, a new sport 18-inch wheel design and standard Scratch Shield paint (self-healing clearcoat finish).

The 2009 G37 Sedan is available in four models – G37, G37 Journey, G37S Sport 6MT and G37x AWD. It goes on sale in September 2008.

2009 Infiniti G37 Sport Coupe

For 2009, the G37 Coupe's performance envelope expands with the addition of a new G37x AWD model with advanced ATESSA E-TSÔ all-wheel drive system. Also new for 2009 is a 7-speed automatic transmission with Drive Sport (DS) Mode and Downshift Rev Matching (the G37 Coupe is also available with a 6-speed manual transmission).

All 2009 G37 Coupes receive standard Scratch Shield paint (self-healing clearcoat finish). The 2009 G37 Coupe is available in four models – G37, G37 Journey, G37S Sport 6MT and G37x AWD – each with standard 330-horsepower 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 with VVEL technology. It goes on sale in September 2008.

[Source: Nissan]

2009 G37 Ordering Guide Excerpt Models G37x AWD Coupe

Mechanical

Intelligent All-Wheel Drive

Electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and manual shift mode with Downshift Rev Matching
Exterior
Scratch Shield paint
Interior
Dial-type seat heater switches
Color and Trim
Add Moonlight White (QAA)
Delete Ivory Pearl (QX1)
Washi-finish trim replaces aluminum trim for driver and passenger interior door pull handles (does not apply for vehicles with African rosewood interior trim)
Convenience
Power door locks with automatic locking

2009 Infiniti FX Makes World Debut at Geneva Motor Show Second Generation of Infiniti's Performance Luxury Crossover SUV Goes On Sale in North America in June

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 4, 2008) - Infiniti today revealed the all-new 2009 Infiniti FX performance luxury crossover SUV in conjunction with the Geneva Motor Show. The second-generation FX, with its fusion of sports car and SUV design, will be offered in three models, including a new 5.0-liter V8-equipped Infiniti FX50. The 2009 FX is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti dealers in the United States and Canada in June 2008.

The new FX's world debut in Geneva was hosted by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, who also announced details of Infiniti's plans to enter the Western European market in the last quarter of 2008.

About the 2009 Infiniti FX
The all-new second-generation Infiniti FX is designed to offer exceptional levels of power, refinement, safety and driving exhilaration. Created as a fusion of sports car and SUV, with breathtaking styling, sports car-like proportions and an advanced sports sedan platform, the new FX is a showcase of Infiniti's design and technology leadership.

Along with its dramatic, aerodynamic body structure and sporty FM (Front Midship) platform, the new FX features a extensive list of available equipment and technology designed to create an exciting and rewarding driving experience - including a new 380+ horsepower 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 or advanced V6 engine (V6 details to be released later), 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and available solid magnesium paddle shifters, available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension and large 4-wheel disc brakes. Also available on the new FX are a Continuous Damping Control (CDC) suspension, Rear-Active Steer, Intelligent Brake Assist and 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels designed by Enkei.

Inside, the new FX interior provides a warm, modern, inviting environment highlighted by a driver-oriented cockpit with available sport seating and available advanced audio, navigation and entertainment systems - including an 11-speaker Bose-developed audio system, Infiniti Intelligent Key, Intelligent Cruise Control (Full Speed Range), Distance Control Assist (DCA) and Around View Monitor system.