Well, I’ve just returned from my dealership and this car rocks. Shane, you are one lucky son of a gun!

I don’t know what BMW has to offer, and I know what Lexus has to offer with the IS. Let me tell you this: I wouldn’t even consider anything else (especially at this price range).

Here are my thoughts – they are pretty random as I’m trying to spill everything out of my head…

Exterior

One word – AWESOME!

The car I tested was Liquid Platinum (AKA Brilliant Silver). Color is nice but after 2 silver cars, I think my 07’ G will be darker. As far as looks go: I’ve seen the car back in April during its debut at the NYIAS, but it looks even better on the street. The car is wider and lower than the 03-06 models and it has a mean sporty look to it. The 18” are a must. They sit nicely and flush with the wheel wells and you almost get the impression that you are looking at an aftermarket set.
When I first approached it, there was a sales guy with a customer that was checking it out, and the customer had a question about the sport package. I didn’t really catch the whole conversation, but the next thing I hear is: “…and that includes the wasabi accents?” , I though the sales guy would correct him, but to my astonishment, he replied back: “yes, it does include the wasabi paneling, or whatever that’s called”… I was just standing there, shaking my head…
The rear lip isn’t as bad as I thought it would be, and it actually doesn’t look all that bad (not sure how much it would stand out on a darker color though). One thing is for sure: That thing is a fingerprint magnet I have one gripe with the car and it has to do with the Trunk. As you know, if you go with the NAVI package the changer moves to the trunk. While the trunk is of decent size, the opening is quite small – add the changer that now sits in the trunk, and expect as much as 30% reduction of the trunk opening. If you have a medium to large suitcase you can forget about shoving that thing into the trunk. Your only chance is by sliding it through the right side and then, once in the trunk, moving it back to the left. Consider the opening with the changer – as small as the coupe’s opening. This is major drawback with this car, but luckily, the only one as far as I’m concerned.
The lines are slick and sporty and this car just screams “don’t fck with me”
The wipers on this car are of unique size. The left blade (driver side) is probably double in size than the right one. As you can see in the pictures bellow, it has excellent coverage of the windshield and it pretty much wipes all the way up to the roofline.
My personal wish has been fulfilled with this car and the doors now have stoppers in the hinges – not as profound as on the Audis, but strong enough to keep the door from amputating your leg when parked on an uphill.
Key fob is the same as on the 06’ models and hasn’t changed at all.

Interior

Two words: FREAKING AWESOME!

The build and workmanship are ten times better than the previous model. The interior of this car can easily compete with those of the 3 Series, the IS, and the TL. The gauges are illuminated in a bright neon white and have an inner blue-purplish hue rings. That thing is pimp. The auto shifter feels comfortable and precise. No coarse and cheap transition, but rather a muted notchniness as you go from P – R - N – D. The pedal shifters are pimp and a must have item (even just as a wow factor). The Magnesium silver shifters are right where they should be and are attached with black rubber strips to prevent your fingers from sliding off.
The NAV screen is amazing. For anyone who has seen the one in the M, this thing is 10 times better. The amount of information and details is amazing. The graphics are almost realistic. When I went back to my 04’ coupe, the NAV in my car looked as if a 5 yr. old retard drew the roads…
There is tons of information. The voice recognition works flawlessly. When selecting a station, the voice recognition picked up every single digit of the radio station and immediately switched to it. The map moves and reacts to commands much faster. Playing with the zoom on the map, it switches views instantly, not like the crappy NAV we have…
HVAC controls are comfortable to adjust. The double dials (for driver and passenger) eliminate the need for that stupid side-switch button we have in the previous models. Again, graphics are amazing – I can’t reiterate it enough. Tons of information that can be found on that system, and I can only imagine the size of the instructions booklet…
Seats: Oh my fcking god! If you would have tied my eyes and seat me in that sucker, I would have told you, I’ve been seated in the coupe instead. The seats are even more supportive than my coupe seats. The bolster adjustment buttons are awesome. Although, I didn’t try to open them all the way up, my guess is that heavy people may have some hard time with these seats. Otherwise, if you are an average guy, those seats are unbelievably comfortable. The overall feel behind the wheel is of a fighter jet cockpit. Everything is within reach. The center isle with the shifter is pretty high, which further enhances that enclosed hugging cockpit feeling. The steering and gauge panel slides up and down and in-and-out with this cool electric zooming sound – makes you feel as if you are adjusting a laser guided missile
Views are excellent. Front view reminds me of my coupe with the front fenders sticking up. Rear view is excellent as well.
Sound is great. I’m not a big audiophile, and I didn’t crank up the stereo too much, but I was able to play a couple of songs that were loaded onto the 9.3 music box – the sound is excellent. Crisp and clean with a touch of bass – just right. Definitely beats the Bose we have. As for Shane’s question: according to my salesman, as he put it, “you can play a CD and record it onto the hard drive as you play it”. I don’t know if it converts it to MP3, or just records it as raw music segments (WMA). I asked him whether it is possible to rip music directly from the CF card but he didn’t know the answer to that one. Although, looking at all the technology that has been shoved into this car, one would think it’s most likely possible.
Rear legroom is adequate. I made sure to sit up front first and adjust the seat for my position (I’m 6’0”), and then moved to the backseat to see if I could fit myself – no problems there.

The drive

Three words: SUPER FREAKING AWESOME!

Because it’s a sample car, it’s not supposed to be driven. But since my dealership is pretty cool (as many others), they decided to let a few customers to drive it. These cars are owned by Infiniti (the corp.) and not the dealerships. Any damage caused to these cars mean major a$$ whooping for the dealer. That meant that my sales guy took me onto a “demonstration trip”. As long as the sales guy drives the car off the lot – the manager doesn’t ask any question and doesn’t need to know about anything ( ).
We drove out to a commuter lot where we switched places and I got to sit in the fun seat!
A couple of things I noticed immediately: the steering wheel requires less steering effort but still has that sporty accuracy. The turning radius of the car is unbelievable. The car takes narrower turns than the coupe. The ride is stiff and sporty – but not too stiff. I’d say almost the same as the coupe’s, maybe a tad less.
The exhaust note is pretty sweet. If you want to image what it sounds like, think of the coupe’s exhaust just a bit quieter – a little muted. The car purrs with this soft coupe like sound.
We got onto the hwy and that thing hauls a$$ There is ample torque through the whole band. The car shifts decisively and accurately. There is no need to move the shifter to manumatic mode, simply toggle the paddle shifter and you are there. A small squeeze on the left shifter (down shift), and the car launches forward. I was going about 75 in fifth when I clicked the left shifter – the car just took off All while you are seated in a coupe like position – super comfortable hugging position.
The brakes are ok, but not as harsh as I would imagine them to be.
The ride is stiff. A couple of aggressive lane changes did not impress her too much. Both were handled nicely and accurately.


Final thoughts: Infiniti nailed it with this car. This thing is going to sell like hot buns. The amount of technology that was shoved into this car along with the performance, looks, and most importantly – competitive price tag, I really can’t think of another car to even consider. As soon as they come out with official swatches and pricing, I’m getting one.

Two thumbs up!

 

 

 

 

 

Nice...Now we are waiting for the coupe...hahah

 

Awesome write-up Dan. Keep me posted on this dealer. I want to see how pricing is with them and I may make the trip up there.

 

Will do man. Will do...

 

Did u test the fit for the baby seat Speed ... lol


Good review, good job.

 

LMAO ^^



Yeah, it should fit in there (not that it would matter anyways...)

 

Wow Daniel, what a very good write-up. Thanks for taking the time to write everything up and post those pics.

Reading what you wrote sure makes me excited to get mine soon. What were your thoughts on the aluminum trim?

 

Loved the review. I think I'd go for a dark color as well. Black obsidian on a sport model would be my choice. Now if only I can find my way to the dealer and test drive one for myself.

 

Great post. Loved your review.

Some of the pics you took were brochure quality.

 

No problem. I always try to keep up my promises.

The aluminum is very unique. Simply because it has that brush look to it - not something you see everyday. Very classy and upscale. I personally would go for it. I'm not feeling that matted African rosewood trim. I think I prefer glossy woods better. But overall I think that a sporty car like that deserves a metallic finish rather than wood.

 

Nice write up! I'm going to check one out on Sunday with my wife