The Infiniti Family Reunion

by Joe LaMuraglia
I was recently invited to “a full line review” where a company invites journalists to experience all of their cars in one place at one time. Infiniti threw this party to debut their 2009 G37x coupe and 2009 G37 sedan and while they were at it gave us seat time in all of their vehicles.
While piloting the Infiniti’s through the Napa countryside, I got to thinking. This was similar to a family reunion. All cars of the same core DNA and while they look alike they have their own personalities – just like a living, breathing family. As one of 10, I can attest to the fact that while my 6 brother and 3 sisters and I all resemble each other, I often wonder how I could be related to them! Alas, I digress.
So the Infiniti family is just that; a family of vehicles with similar personalities – fun-to-drive vehicles that meet the needs of each segment they compete it. They also introduced their new tagline at the event – “Inspired Performance”. I wonder if it’ll make it on to the t-shirt for next year?

G37 Sedan – The Jock

The G37 is the most popular vehicle in the Infiniti family and it is easy to see why. Just like the captain of the football team in High School, the G37 is good looking, athletic, versatile and just back from training camp with new muscles and abilities. For 2009 the G37 gets the upgraded VQ37 with 328 HP and a 7-speed transmission that allows for more performance and better MPG. Just like the dedicated jock in the family, the G37 is the marrying type, will always be there for you and delivers performance as consistently as he/she goes to the gym. Available in rear or all-wheel-drive.
Engine: 328-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine
Transmission: 7-speed Automatic or 6-speed manual
MSRP: $33,250

G37x Coupe – The Rebel

There is always one in the family. You know, has to be a little different, more aggressive and lets face it; more selfish. While the G37 sedan is always ready to be there for you and up to four others, the G37x Coupe is clearly more self-centered. Sure, there are places for a few others, but this is car is all about the driver and passenger. It is a little better looking that the sedan and just that much more fun to drive. The G37x comes to this reunion with all-wheel-drive for the first time which will make it more appealing to potential partners all over the country. Despite its more universal appeal, the G37x coupe will likely play the field for as long as it can – just like that rebel cousin of yours. Available in rear (G37 Coupe) or all-wheel-drive (G37x Coupe).
Engine: 330-horsepower 3.7-liter VQ-series V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual (RWD only) 7-speed automatic (RWD and AWD)
MSRP: G37 Coupe 7-speed automatic is $35,900 – G37x Coupe AWD $38,700

EX35 – The Androgynous Athlete

The EX35 is like your relative that doesn’t display a strong sense of gender either way. They are the last one you pick for the flag football game because their smaller size and overall wallflower appearance. Then they go and blow you away on the field with their speed, grace and intuitive sense of what’s about to happen next. The EX35 may not be the best looking Infiniti but it certainly is the most surprising. Its light weight and powerful engine on the excellent Infiniti FM chassis blew me away on the roads around Napa. If you can get over that it isn’t as pretty as its relatives, the EX35 may just win the first pick status next time you are choosing a team – especially if you need an athletic performer with a versatile skills. Available with rear or all-wheel-drive.
Engine: 3.5-liter 290 HP V6
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
MSRP: $31,300 (2008 Pricing – 2009 not expected to be much different)

M35 and M45 – The Silver Daddy

The M35 and M45 are the Patriarchs of the Infiniti family and as such they are larger, more established and less youthful looking as their offspring. Make no mistake though; they are still as athletic as their brood. They just go about it with more style and grace then their younger, less sophisticated relatives. Packed full of technology and creature comforts, the M35 and M45 are perfect role models for the Infiniti clan. Available in rear or all-wheel-drive with a choice of 3.5-liter V6 engine or a 4.5-liter V8. The V6 engine gets more power and the RWD model gets a new 7-speed automatic transmission.
Engine: 303 HP 3.5L V6 (M35) or a 325 HP 4.5LV8 (M45)
Transmission: 7-speed automatic (M35 RWD) or a 5-speed automatic (M35x or M45)
MSRP: To be announced

FX35 and FX50 – The Cousin on Steroids

If there isn’t one in your family, you still know what I am talking about. The guy that lives in the gym and while he swears it is all natural, you know that all those muscles come from technical advancements, not mother nature. The result is an intimidating presence that some find sexy and others simply don’t understand. The FX twins defined the luxury sport crossover category when they launched years ago and they’ve taken it to the next level with the new for 2009 FX35 and FX50. More powerful engines, aggressive styling and every techno-gadget available make these beasts hard to ignore in a crowd. Add raw acceleration and physics-defying handling to the mix and the muscle worshippers out there have something new to idolize.
Engine: 3.5L 305 HP V6 or 5.0L 390 HP V8
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
MSRP: $42,150 for the FX35 RWD, $43,600 for the FX35 AWD and $58,400 for the FX50 AWD.

QX56 – The Relative “We Don’t talk About

We all have one; the relative that we don’t like to admit is related by blood but is always at the family gatherings. He/she isn’t a bad person, just not exactly a prime example of the gene pool. In Infiniti’s case, the full-size QX56 is “that” relative. Despite a recent facelift the QX56 never quite fit in the lineup and in this day and age, is a bit out of place at the dinner table. Rumor has it that when this QX56 passes onto a better place, its replacement in the family will be a cousin from overseas. Question is; will it specialize in Sushi or Escargot?
Engine: 5.6L 320 HP V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
MSRP: QX56 2WD is $55,050 and $58,150 QX56 4WD

Infiniti is a gay-friendly company
Find an Infiniti dealer near you!