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2012 Infiniti IPL G Coupe (photos)

The Infiniti IPL G Coupe further hones the G37's performance edge, but is it enough to run with the likes of BMW's M division or Mercedes-Benz' AMG branch?

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
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1 of 27 Josh Miller/CNET
The Infiniti IPL G Coupe further hones the G37S' performance edge, but is it enough to run with the likes of BMW's M division or Mercedes-Benz' AMG branch?
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Twenty percent stiffer springs help the IPL G to stay flat in the turns, while retuned dampers keep the ride from getting too harsh.
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Large 19-inch wheels fill the wheel wells at each corner. Inside you can see that uprated brakes have been fitted to help the G to slow quickly and consistently.
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A zero-lift aerodynamic kit has been fitted to the IPL G Coupe to help with high-speed stability.
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Under the hood, the 3.7-liter V-6 engine has been massaged to output 18 more horsepower and 6 more pound-feet of torque.
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The seven-speed automatic gearbox remains an option, but drivers can also opt for a six-speed manual shifter.
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A freer flowing exhaust system no doubt helps add just a bit of that extra power.
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However, mostly the retuned exhaust gives the G Coupe back some of the audible character that was lost in the transition from the old G35 to the G37.
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However, this louder exhaust, when combined with the increased road noise from the suspension and wheel upgrades, can make the IPL G's cabin a noisy place to be at highway speeds. This is a less than ideal road-trip car.
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IPL badges further illustrate that you've chosen the first model in the Infiniti Performance Line.
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We moaned and groaned about the Infiniti G37 Convertible's lack of trunk space, but the G Coupe doesn't seem to have much more room in its trunk for your junk.
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However, as this sticker illustrates, you can fit a pair of golf bags back there.
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The red leather seats feature heated surfaces and power adjustments. The driver's seat even has power adjustable back and hip bolsters to keep you from sliding about during high-G maneuvers.
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With the exception of the seats, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the IPL G Coupe from a standard G37 Coupe -- which is a good thing, because the standard G's cabin is remarkably comfortable for the price.
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The steering wheel feels a bit large for performance driving, but felt nice in my hands. A pair of the nicest feeling paddle shifters in the business can be found mounted on the IPL G's steering column on seven-speed models.
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Voice command and audio controls can be found on one side of the steering wheel's face.
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The other side of the wheel is home to the cruise controls -- which are of the nonadaptive type in this performance-oriented coupe.
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Infiniti's electroluminescent instrumentation is crisp, attractive, and easy to read at a glance.
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The infotainment system can be controlled via this physical knob, via voice command, or by simply touching the screen's surface. Choice is a good thing.
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The IPL G Coupe uses Infiniti's hard-drive-based navigation system, which is rather easy to use. It's a bit dated-looking in the wake of Audi's and BMW's latest offerings, but we have no major complaints about its operation.
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The user is given a reasonable amount of control over how the maps are displayed, as illustrated here.
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Many of the navigation system's physical and touch-screen accessible options are locked out at speed, but voice command remains available.
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The Bluetooth hands-free system also rolls audio streaming in when paired with a compatible smartphone. Dial by voice allows users to verbally call up their contacts by name.
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Traffic data is rolled into the navigation system and is factored into the Infiniti's routing algorithms.
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Likewise, users can view weather forecasts and maps. Critical weather warnings can even be automatically spoken by the audio system when they appear in the vicinity or on your chosen route.
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Digital audio sources include USB, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth A2DP streaming, CD/MP3 playback, and a hard drive MusicBox that stores ripped audio.
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A premium Bose audio system is standard on the IPL, supplying balanced audio and strong bass.

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