G35 vs. G35s

The Infiniti G35 and G35s were part of the Infiniti G series of cars and placed on a Nissan FM platform shared with the Nissan 350Z. The G series originated as an entry-level luxury car. The G35 was the third generation of G series cars. Infiniti offered the G35 as a coupe or sedan, with a hardtop coupe arriving with the fourth-generation G37. Infiniti produced the G35 in five trim levels: the base G35, G35 Journey, the all-wheel drive G35x, the G35 Sport and the G35 Sport equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The Sport models featured the G35s designation.

All G35 models received a makeover for the 2005 model year that featured a sportier instrument panel with backlit gauges and aluminum trim throughout the cockpit. Rosewood trim was offered as an option. Standard equipment in the interior included a six-disc, in-dash CD audio system and MP3 playback. Brembo brakes were featured on pre-2005 models, but they disappeared in favor of redesigned larger all-wheel disc brakes and beefier calipers to reduce premature wear. The G35s had magnesium paddle shifters as standard equipment for models equipped with a shiftable automatic. The G35s also received drilled aluminum pedals, leather-stitched sport steering wheel and power-adjusted sport seats with thigh extensions. The G35s also got a different front fascia and optional rear spoiler.

The 2008 G35 and G35s featured a 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 engine that generated 306 horsepower and 268 foot-pounds of torque. The G35 matched the engine with a five-speed automatic transmission, while the G35s offered a choice of a shiftable automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The shiftable automatic transmission had paddle shifters, while the six-speed manual on the G35s had a floor-mounted shifter housed in the center console. The G35 rested on a conventional suspension system: double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension system with front and rear stabilizer bars. However, the G35s came with a sport-tuned package as standard equipment with the six-speed manual version. The package featured a viscous limited slip differential, four-wheel active steer system and a sport-tuned electronic stability system. All G35 models sat on a 112.2-inch wheelbase. The G35 came with P225/55R17 95V tires on 17-inch painted alloy rims, while the G35s rode on a staggered tire configuration with P245/45R18 96W rear tires and P225/50R18 front tires with 18-inch painted alloy wheels.

Driving impressions differ in handling, not speed. The G35 and G35s could go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and could achieve 13.9-second quarter-mile runs, depending on testing conditions. The G35s four-wheel active steer system and a 40 percent stiffer suspension system than the standard G35 gave the G35s an ultra-firm ride that could be hard on the backside in long-distance driving.