Infiniti Announces Pricing on New IPL G Coupe with 348HP

We may not be getting the new 2011 Infiniti Performance Line G Coupe until the second week of December, but that's not stopping the Japanese carmaker from announcing prices on the sportiest version of its G37 Coupe.

The first production vehicle in the new Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) is priced at $49,850 when equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission, and at $47,950 when power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox. The aforementioned prices do not include destination and handling fees.

The IPL G Coupe's closest competitor, the BMW 335is Coupe, which gets a 320HP turbocharged straight six matched to a 7-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT), has a starting price of $49,650 MSRP.

Based on the G37 Coupe, the IPL G Coupe is powered by a tweaked 3.7-liter V6 engine delivering 348 horsepower, an increase of 18 horsepower over the standard model. In addition, the suspension, steering and exhaust systems have been re-tuned while the car also gets unique 19-inch wheels and a more dramatic bodykit. For more details on the IPL G Coupe, check out our previous story.

Paris PreShow: Infiniti Performance Line G Cabrio Concept

While we're still trying to find out if Infiniti's freshly sketched dedicated EV (see here) will make its debut at next week's 2010 Mondial de l'Automobile, here's an Infiniti concept that has been confirmed for the show. The Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) G Cabrio Concept is the second car to wear the Japanese firm's sporty IPL badge after the introduction of the G Coupé in North America in the summer.

As you'd expect, the IPL version of Infiniti's four-seat hardtop cabriolet shares many of the coupe's styling and performance enhancements.

Under the hood, you'll find a modified version of the standard car's 3.7-liter V6 delivering 338 PS at 7,400 rpm and 374Nm of torque. The regular Euro-spec model gets by with 320 PS at 7,400 rpm and 360Nm. For the record, the US-market IPL G Coupe's V6 produces 348-horsepower.

Infiniti says the tuned convertible accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62 mph) in under 6 seconds, while top speed of the de-restricted concept car, which has a seven speed automatic transmission with magnesium paddle shifts, is more than 270 km/h or 168mph.

The concept model's suspension has also been upgraded with 10% stiffer springs and recalibrated dampers, while body sits a little lower to the ground.

In the looks department, the Paris Show model's exterior is finished in a new a pearlescent black paint with red hints called "Malbec Black" while the interior is covered in Monaco Red leather.

Exterior upgrades include a new front bumper, blacked-out grille and headlight surrounds, sculptured side sill extensions and a boot lid spoiler. The huge exhaust tail pipes and 19-inch 7-spoke rims complete the list of changes.

As for the interior, the centre console is finished with black lacquer while the dashboard area above the glove box and doors are adorned with a decorative trim called KACCHU, which according to Infiniti, is a name given to the armour used by Japan's feudal warlords, or samurai, in the Middle Ages.

Although billed as a concept, we all know that an IPL flavored G Cabrio will be offered sooner or later in the States. As for Europe, here's what Infiniti stated: "A decision on launching IPL Infinitis in Europe will be taken later after reaction to the IPL G Cabrio Concept has been considered."

2011 Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) G Coupe with 348HP Officially Revealed

Not to be confused with the Indian Premier League (cricket), the Indianapolis Power Light company, the Internet Public Library or the Iran Premier League (football), IPL in the automotive world will now be known as an acronym for Infiniti's newly formed performance division, "Infiniti Performance Line" and the G Coupe will be its first production model.

So, is IPL something in the lines of BMW's M division, Mercedes' AMG or Audi's RS (Quattro)? Well, simply put, that's not the case, at least for now. Think of IPL being more like BMW's M-Sport packages with some added grunt under the hood.

The first vehicle from the range is the 2011 IPL G Coupe that debuts tomorrow evening at a special event at the 60th annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and goes on sale only in the States in December.

The car comes with a more dramatic bodykit (which either looks a lot like, or is the already available five-piece aero kit) with new front and rear fascias, sculpted side sills, rear spoiler and chrome exhaust tips.

There's also a set of new 19-inch seven-spoke graphite-finish alloys in low-profile W-rated Bridgestone Potenza RE50A performance tires, while the car will be available exclusively with a choice of two exterior colors, Graphite Shadow or Malbec Black.

Inside, the IPL offers two color treatments, Graphite and Monaco Red, the latter only available with the Malbec Black exterior and 7-speed automatic transmission. Other highlights include red-stitched leather-appointed front sport seats with manual thigh extension and driver's power torso and thigh support adjustment, red-stitched steering wheel, Silk Obi aluminum trim, and aluminum pedals and footrest.

Moving onto the mechanical upgrades, the IPL G Coupe benefits from a tweaked engine with a recalibrated ECU and a new high-flow exhaust system pushing output from 330-horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, to 348HP and 276 lb-ft. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a close ratio six-speed manual gearbox with short-throw shifter or a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

Infiniti's engineers also fiddled around with the G37's suspension bits, increasing spring rates by 20 per cent up front and 10 per cent at the back. The IPL G Coupe also receives a sportier-tuned steering wheel system and larger brakes with aluminum-alloy opposed calipers (4-piston front/2-piston rear), along with the firm's Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD).

Pricing and performance specs have yet to be released.

2011 IPL G Coupe Key Features and Specs

• IPL-tuned 3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve VQ37HR V6
  
• 348 horsepower @ 7,400 rpm
  
• 276 lb-ft torque @ 5,200 rpm
  
• IPL-tuned high-flow dual exhaust
  
• Close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter or 7-speed automatic transmission with solid magnesium paddle shifters
  
• IPL-tuned performance suspension with independent front double wishbone / independent rear multi-link, front and rear stabilizer bars
  
• 19-inch IPL split 7-spoke graphite-finish wheels (19x8.5" front / 19x9" rear)
  
• P225/45R19 front / P245/40R19 rear W-rated Bridgestone Potenza RE50A summer tires
  
• 14.7:1 sport-tuned steering gear
  
• 4-wheel ventilated disc sport brakes with aluminum-alloy 4-piston opposed front brake calipers / 2-piston opposed rear calipers
  
• Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VSLD)-IPL aerodynamics with front and rear fascias, side sills and rear spoiler
  
• Unique IPL emblem
  
• IPL engine cover
  
• Red-stitched sport front seats and steering wheel
  
• Aluminum pedals and footrest
  
• Interior colors: Monaco Red Leather and Graphite Leather
  
• Infiniti Studio on Wheels by Bose premium audio system
  
• Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with XM NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information, XM NavWeather with Real-Time Weather and 3-day forecast (XM subscription required, sold separately), Zagat Restaurant Guide and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive
  
• RearView Monitor
  
• Rear Sonar System
  
• Moonroof
  
• Exterior colors: Malbec Black and Graphite Shadow

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