The last time Infiniti built a coupe, it was a nice car.  It was also square, stodgy, and, well, boring.  The M35, introduced at Infiniti’s inception in 1989, was based on the Japan-only Nissan Leopard.  It was a decent but forgettable four-place luxury coupe, and it vanished from Infiniti’s lineup after three years.  For 2003, Infiniti is back in the luxury-sport coupe market, and this time it’s much less likely to be forgotten.  The G35 Sport Coupe is fast, sexy and far from boring.

Sharp eyes have probably guessed that the G35 Sport Coupe shares some genes with Nissan’s all-new 350Z, and they’re right. The differences are telling ones, however.  The G35 Sport Coupe has an eight-inch longer wheelbase than the Z, and it’s just a smidgen taller.  Compared to the G35 sedan, the wheelbase is the same, but the Sport Coupe is shorter and wider.

Even though it shares its face with the more conservative G35 sedan, this coupe stands out on the road.  The low, wide stance looks great.  The car is dominated by smooth, sheer expanses of sheetmetal.  The bodysides are free of chrome or rub strips for a simple, purposeful look.  Which isn’t to say that the G35 Sport Coupe looks cheap, however.  Vertical stacked headlamps under clear covers and a wide family grille leave no doubt that this is an Infiniti.  The G35 Sport Coupe’s grille is slightly oval-shaped, in contrast to the sedan’s rectangular unit, and if you’re a big fan of subtle industrial design there’s a pretty compound curve where the headlight and grille meet.  Out back, the G35 Sport Coupe has a flat, chopped-off rear end that’s reminiscent of (but not quite) a “Kamm” tail as seen on classic Alfa Romeos.  The LED-studded taillights are large and flush with the bodywork.  The fastback design looks like it should be a hatchback, but the G35 Sport Coupe features an unusually roomy trunk.  Overall it’s got great road presence.

This car has good “interior” presence, too.  There’s more and less space inside than you’d expect.  Front seat passengers are treated well, with comfortable, well-bolstered chairs and more headroom than the G35 Sport Coupe’s low stance suggests.  This is a four-seater, however, in “grand touring” fashion.  The back seat is best for slouchers, as headroom is compromised by the drastically sloped backlight, but the stretched wheelbase allows for plenty of rear-seat legroom.  The T-shaped dash is shared with the G35 sedan, and standard equipment includes a six-disc in-dash CD changer, side-impact and side-curtain airbags and bright electrofluorescent gauges.  We had two complaints; first, the knob-less radio controls are kind of obnoxious and hard to get used to.  That’s not a big deal.  Our second issue is more significant, because for a sporty car, the G35 Sport Coupe is awfully hard to see out of.  It’s especially hard to place the right front corner, which can make for harrowing times on a twisty road or autocross track.

That’s forgivable in your average, dim-witted luxury sedan, but the G35 Sport Coupe is intended to go out and straighten those curvy roads.  Visibility aside, it’s a good companion for those sorts of missions, too.  The suspension is fully independent, of course.  Extensive use of aluminum in the suspension reduces unsprung weight and improves on-road response.  Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamic Control stability control is standard.

Nissan’s excellent 3.5 liter V6 provides power.  Thanks to rear-wheel drive, the G35 Sport Coupe lives up to the “sport” part of its name.  The engine has been tweaked, for twenty more horses than the G35 sedan.  That 280 horsepower is controlled by a “drive-by-wire” electronic throttle for quick but efficient response.  A choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions is available.  We drove the automatic, but wish we’d have had a stick.  The autobox is somewhat slow-witted, which makes the G35 hard to play with as it’s usually shifting for comfort instead of performance.

G35 Sport Coupe pricing starts at $29,100 for an automatic-equipped, “5A/T Coupe” model.  A leather-and-amenities equipped model is $31,400, and the sporty “6M/T Coupe” carries the six-speed manual and larger brakes for $32,050.  The options list is short; a Bose sound system, sunroof, 18″ wheels and a fancy satellite navigation system whose 6.5 screen rises out of the dash Buck Rogers-style are highlights.  Six-speed-equipped G35 Sport Coupes also get big Brembo brakes.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2003 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe, which we tested.
Length:         182.2 in.
Width:            71.5 in.
Height:            54.8 in.
Wheelbase:        112.2 in.
Curb weight:        3422 lb.
Cargo space:        7.8 cu.ft.
Base price:        $29,100
Price as tested:        $33,915
Engine:         3.5 liter 24-valve DOHC V6
Drivetrain:         5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Horsepower:         280 @ 6400
Torque:         270 @ 4800
Fuel capacity:        20.0 gal
Est. mileage:        19/26

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