2008 Infiniti G37 vs 2007 BMW 335i

"The most exciting grudge match since Mustang-Camaro 17!"
The Village Vocalist
"More plot twists and phrase turns than Evo-versus-STI 6"
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If the posters and trailers make this movie seem formulaic and predictable because the cars are of the same generation as the sedan versions that faced off just 10 months ago, allow us to persuade you to read more deeply into this plot synopsis. You see, much more thought and effort went into producing these stylish coupes than a mere rear-door-ectomy and a judicious stop in the hair and makeup trailer. Each sports a new engine, for example. The BMW's motivation comes from a hot (in more ways than one) new twin-turbo six that spools up an even 300 horsepower and pound-feet. That's plenty to overcome the 3's performance deficit against the G in their last two encounters, but Infiniti has retaliated by stroking its venerable 3.5-liter VQ V-6 to 3.7 liters. This plus a sophisticated variable valve timing and lift system combine to give the G37 coupe a 10-percent advantage in horsepower with a similar disadvantage in torque, relative to the 335i. Our Infiniti also sports a clever 4-Wheel Active Steering system that was available but not fitted to our last sedan. Might that casting choice have allowed the dynamically scintillating BMW to upstage its otherwise better-performing, roomier, and less-expensive Japanese rival? Will power and chassis gizmology be enough to turn the tables this time out?
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All contrived plot devices aside, this is a very different comparison, if for no other reason than coupes are such different animals from sedans. With little or no pretense to practicality, their designers are given extra latitude to help seduce the emotional right brains of prospective buyers, which is why these two-doors bear only a family resemblance to their more sensible siblings. Measured against their sedan stablemates, the BMW is 2.4 inches longer and 1.8 inches lower, and the Infiniti is 2.8 inches wider and lower, and each offers less passenger and cargo space-clear concessions to form over function.

The payoff in each case is sleek, svelte, eye-catching style that speaks volumes about each car's personality and pedigree. The G37 resembles a Japanese calligrapher's brush-stroke gesture drawing come to life, minimally adorned with distracting cut lines and ornamentation. Young Californian testing whiz Scott Mortara was smitten by its J-pop cachet. The BMW's classic proportions, poised-to-pounce stance, and menacing four-eyed visage held the greater appeal for this Midwestern mid-lifer. And these personality traits carry over to the interiors-wood veneers and soft, double-stitched leather are applied liberally to the establishment BMW's cockpit, while the innovative Infiniti gets aluminum trim with a Japanese washi-paper finish and violet mood lighting. Those few coupe buyers who envision transporting human adults in back should note that these short-straw carpoolers will be a lot less cranky in the BMW. Although the Infiniti stands 0.8 inch taller than the BMW, its roof peaks forward of the driver's head, then swoops dramatically down through the rear head environment, shaving 1.6 inches off the BMW's head-clearance figure. Sub-six-footers will find ample head- and legroom in the 335i, along with amenities like a center armrest, A/C vents, reading lights, and good outward visibility-none of which our Infiniti affords. The G37's low, bobbed tail limits trunk space to a convertible-like 7.4 cubic feet-6.1 fewer than the G sedan's and 3.7 less than the Bimmer coupe's.

The action in this drama begins at Barber Motorsports Park, near Birmingham, Alabama, a splendid 2.4-mile circuit featuring 80 feet of elevation change and 16 sweeping turns through lush green landscaping. Infiniti has rented the place to host the first extensive drive of its new baby. On this broad, fast track, the G37 grips hard with minimal noticeable roll and generally feels quite capable-its massive 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear brakes (S models only) endure multiple hot laps admirably. The six-speed-manual model's new stick snicks through the gears with the same precision we loved in the last-gen 3 Series, but have missed in our current model long-term test vehicle. On hand for comparison is a BMW 335i coupe with an automatic transmission, procured by Infiniti; but before we get a crack at it, one of the drivers ahead of us has cooked the oil to a gauge-pegging 300F degrees, triggering an extended pit-stop that sidelines the car.

Fast forward to scene two. We depart Barber in a G37 equipped with the premium and sport packages, 4WAS (which varies the front steering ratio as does BMW's system and steers the rear wheels up to one degree) and a five-speed automatic estimated to cost just a shade under 40-large and a fresh BMW 335i coupe, similarly equipped with premium and sport packages and BMW's new ZF six-speed automatic, but priced about $8000 higher than the Infiniti at $47,775.

Why choose slushboxes? Because they're vastly more popular and arguably more interesting, technically. Each bristles with paddle shifters and new adaptive sport-driving algorithms that deliver extra-crispy upshifts and aggressive throttle-blipped downshifts when shown the whip. The BMW's also runs with its torque converter locked almost all the time for greater efficiency and sharper performance.