2002 Infiniti G35 Coupe 3.5L V6 5AT RWD (284 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The G35 Coupe was the star in the Infiniti’s booth at the 2002 New York Auto Show, and for a good reason: it was the real deal in terms of a personal luxury coupe based on a car that people already loved, the Nissan 350Z.

Nissan was thriving again after Carlos Gohsn took over the helm of the Japanese automaker, and the G35 was part of the brand’s strategy to evolve in the North American market. While the 350Z was the coupe for the masses, the Infiniti G35 was the same car wearing a tuxedo. Furthermore, it allowed its occupants to wear one and not look out of place when stepping down from one in front of a fancy restaurant or opera house. The G35 Coupe shared its underpinnings with the 350Z.

With a front fascia that carried over elements from the G35 Sedan, the Coupe version featured tall headlamps with optional Xenon brights. The grille between them was adorned by chromed horizontal slats, and below, on the apron, the automaker added a pair of air intakes that helped cool the radiators and the AC condenser.

From its profile, the G35 revealed its true coupe shape, unlike its Nissan brother, which was a three-door hatchback. Customers could have the car with either 17-inch or 18-inch alloys. The short overhangs and the long wheelbase were just a few reasons the car was loved by its owners. Thanks to the front-mid engine placement, the G35 Coupe had a long, low nose and an arched, sloped greenhouse. At the back, the broad and L-shaped taillights that flanked the trunk lid were not the most spectacular on the market but were very visible and had a distinct look.

Inside, the automaker tried its best to create a luxurious yet sporty interior. At the front, the car’s occupants were hugged by comfortable, high-bolstered seats. Leather upholstery was standard. Infiniti installed a pop-up display on the center stack for the navigation system, which was controlled via a small panel. Even if it wasn’t the most practical on the market, that was one of the best by 2002 standards. Underneath that panel, the automaker placed the HVAC controls and the excellent Bose sound system fitted with a CD and a cassette player. Depending on the version, the center console housed the gear stick or the gear selector. Fronting the driver was a steering wheel with several buttons on it for the sound system and the cruise control. When the driver adjusted it for tilt, it moved with the instrument cluster. The orange dials and needles were typical for an early-2000s Nissan. In the back, the one-piece folding bench seat offered room for two. Unfortunately, the headroom was drastically limited.

Under the hood, there were no big surprises. The G35 Coupe was powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. Nissan paired that powerplant with either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox. The independent suspension in all corners and the car’s long wheelbase made the G35 a very comfortable and excellent handling car.