Infiniti.
Just say the name and my mind conjures up luxury performance cars that are all finger- licking good down to the last drop of petrol.
These are exclusive, march-to-their-own beat automobiles. There are no other cars out there with quite the combination of arresting styling, scorching performance and relatively reasonable pricing. If you want something more exotic, you'll pay dearly for it -- in cars costing thousands upon thousands of dollars more.
Thus, if you love cars, this is the auto show stop you won't want to miss.
And what will you see?
First up is the delectable Infiniti G37 Coupe, with the best sounding exhaust this side of Ferrari.
The Infiniti G37 Coupe is all-new this year, and comes in three versions: Base, Journey and Sport, with prices starting at $34,250. Our Sport version included sport-tuned suspension, viscous limited slip differential, unique front fascia and side sills, sport steering wheel stitching and aluminum pedals.
Power comes from a 3.7-liter, 330-horsepower V6 rated at 18 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway with a five-speed automatic. I averaged about 20 miles per gallon during a week's driving.
When you get into this car, you notice that it comes closer to providing you with a custom designed bucket seat than almost any other car in its class. Everything about the seat is adjustable to your individual comfort, including the side and thigh bolsters and the leg-extension feature, which includes a moveable portion of the seat under your legs. It's all quite comfortable, though the side bolsters can be a bit tight at some settings.
Hit the switch, and an orange light around the button flashes to the "on" position -- and here comes that exhaust sound! If you're driving at night, a brilliant purple ring appears around some of the controls in the center stack. Beneath your feet, the brushed aluminum pedals toss off a gleam or two as they await your commands.
The sound system, called "Studio On Wheels" by Bose, is fabulous. Infiniti says it's the first system that recognizes that music usually is enjoyed as it comes toward you, so the 11 speakers are placed with that in mind.
Perhaps the only real problems I had with the car came from some of the interior ergonomics. If you're short like me, you may find the high sills of the doors confining and tough to get used to. Women in shorter dresses will want to be particularly judicious. And that rear seat? Don't even think about it unless you're about two-feet-tall.
Still, the G37 Coupe is almost incomparable when it comes to two-door touring coupe luxury, performance and sportiness.
The G35 four-door sedan is one cool customer, too.
Frequently compared to the BMW 3 Series, the G35 is a nice mix of luxury and performance, and, boy, can it handle. You'll corner and take turns like you're on rails, and you'll hear that fabulous exhaust note -- which, by the way, is different from the G37 -- in your happy ears.
You can also get all-wheel drive on this car, and having tested it in the snow, I can tell you that it works like a charm. No ifs, ands, or buts. You're on your way when everybody else is stuck.
Sedan prices start at $31,600 and top out at about $34,100. Power comes from a 306-horsepower, 3.5 liter V-6. Fuel mileage is 17/25 with the automatic.
Then there's the M Series.
Consumer Reports already says it's the best in its class, and I concur. It's the driving characteristics, the classy interior, the high technology features, just the whole ball of wax.
There are two versions -- the M35 and the M45. The M45 is powered by a 4.5 liter, 325-horsepower V-8. While the 3.5 liter V-6 packs 275-horsepower.
For 2008, there are new front and rear ends with different taillights, rear fenders and headlights, and you'll be able to get the terrific all-wheel-drive version for either model. The car also has a new sport package that replaces the Sport model.
I've driven the M35X (the X stands for all-wheel-drive) and it definitely has a place on my Top 10 Dream Machines list, with that 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 that is considered to be one of the finest powerplants in the world. Gas mileage rating is 17 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. Prices on the M Series cars start in the mid-forties.
Standard equipment is extensive, including a five-speed automatic with manual mode, all-wheel-drive, electronic brake force distribution, side-impact air bags, rear-seat head restraints, climate-controlled front seats and power equipment.
The interior is contemporary with beautiful unvarnished-looking wood across the dashboard and aluminum and chrome accents.
I loved driving this car, which leaps into action as soon as you hit the gas. My only qualm was that it was a bit jumpy over potholes and the uneven surface of Pittsburgh streets, so you are in for a bit rougher ride than you will find in other sports sedans.
I also didn't care for the lane departure warning system, which seems to buzz at inopportune times if you so much as touch lane marking lines on the road. But other than that, the M35X is a driver's delight.
Base prices for the M series range from $43,050 to $51,850.
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