Tekknikal

I see your points but you have to look at it from Nissan's perspective.
The VQ35 is the result of evolution. It isn't very often that they build a totally new VQ. They may change a lot of components but design wise, the engine evolves slowly. That's not to say changes are insignificant. Nissan changes internals every other year to fall in line with where they want the engine to go. Lets be clear about one thing: dual symmetrical intakes and exhuast and a new block, with new internals are not insignificant changes. Just because they didnt use DI or change displacement doesn't mean the engien is essentially the same.

Having said all of that, I don't think anyone can say the VQ is the weakest point of any car that its installed in.

Think about that. It means their engineering efforts need to be spent elsewhere. Nissan (which I'll use in place of infiniti) receives many complains about their cars, like any other company. In the case of the G35 for example, while the VQ wasnt the weakest link, they did receive a lot of complaints that the engine seemed to run out of breath quickly. Oddly enough it seemed that most people (particularly enthusiasts) were willing to sacrifice engine torque on the low end, for more power on the top end. Nissan responded with the rev-up engine. The new VQ35HR makes similar torque as the nonrevup VQ35, only a little higher in the rpm range. Not a bad compromise imo, considering torque down there doesnt make your car fast. Horsepower does. Any driving enthusiast who wouldn't trade a couple lbft peak torque, and a few hundred rpm change in where that torque comes... for 25+hp at peak is either ignorant or lying to themselves.

In terms of response, I don't think anyone can say that a VQ doesn't give enough torque for daily driving. The new engine, despite the shift in power and higher revs vs its Lexus counterpart, makes similar torque. Lets face it: the new VQ is not going to make a G feel like a S2000. There will be enough torque.

As far as their design options and DI go, they could have gone other ways, so revving wasn't a requirement. The VQ25 is (and has been) direct injection. They could have done that. They could have also done the breathing work without stretching the powerband. Nismo builds engines that are over 340hp, with new heads and internals for instance. Matter of fact, enthusiasts in the G/Z community are building their cars for over 320hp with no head/internal work (unchanged rev range). They very obviously didn't have to rev the engine. Instead however, they chose to respond to what customers wanted. The new engine provides a lot more power than the original VQ, without 'running out of breath' without a major sacrifice in torque. The new engine isn't going to be tuned to the limit of its life either. People are making over 330hp (crank hp) on the original VQ35. This new engine, with improved variable timing, better airflow, better cooling and better rigidity will likely yield better results for not only NA tuning, but also FI........

..which brings me to another point: thave another car coming 10 months after the release of the VQ35HR that will essentially require the VQ35HR to be setup for very-high power/endurance racing. The current setup with the VQ35HR is also likely to be a stepping stone toward that end...

Tekknikal

imo lexus materials cant be beat, but yes the M wood is top notch, esp as far as the matte look goes.

Tekknikal

The nonrevup VQ in the 350Z makes about as much torque as the E46 M3.

Torque is not what will win races, and Nissan is building the engine to perform. In any case, 268lbft is Honda like??? WTF

You are correct that the VQ is being built to perform and that the G is more oriented toward sport than the IS. I think that's the bottom line. I don't think its fair to say the engine's performance is being stretched thin though: The new engine is allegedly stronger and more free flowing than the last.

Tekknikal

It's actually 5+ years. But in any event this G was built at a time where Nissan was going broke. IMO that makes the car even more impressive. But then again, maybe the threat of death is what it takes to get a company to do something like that. In any case, it was really the new management. In reality, one of NIssan's biggest problems is that they're actually too slow in updating their line. Regarding the TL I agree. The market does too- look at their sales #s

Tekknikal

The Infiniti brand needs to go up, not down. A sub $30k car is not what they need. Maybe if the car was a Nissan that would be a good idea, but for US marketing I don't think so. Anyway they've always had the skyline 250 in japan with the vq25.. so I doubt they'll bring it here.

Tekknikal

as i commented before this wasnt a 4yr change. its been longer than that. in any case i dont think constant change is a bad thing. nissan isnt redoing everything from scratch... only making improvements where they need to be made, and very carefully. the new cars look very similar to the last, for instance.. and the g coupe isnt going to be turned ugly and obsolete overnight.. so this isnt like other car brands where they change everything. in fact, im sure many people from a distance may confuse the new g coupe from the old.

ARB

Ronald, you're talking extremes here. I havent been in a stock modern day car that has a ride so stiff my head bounces off the headliner lol. Im all for modding a cars suspension to make it handle better but some people prefer not to risk of voiding the warranty on any parts plus you always lose the $ invested as you usually have to convert the car back to stock before selling it and then try to sell the parts on your own and if ur lucky get a 1/ 4 of your $ back on the parts... BUT all of these do not matter to some people, its all personal preference

eddo1

Just got the next issue of motortrend. Seems the new G35 has EXACTLY 306 hp and 268lb-ft of torque. 0-60 in 5.4 sec. Seems extremely close to the IS. They did a comparision to the BMW 330i and the the G35 came in second (like the IS). It's the "legendary" BMW feel that helped the BMW win. I don't really like the exterior of the new G35, the rear looks really bulbous and droopy. The interior of the G is also ..well...spartan and at the same time too many buttons cluttered around the nav area. Still LOVE my IS!! Wonder what happends when they compare the IS and the G35.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

dont get what this "legendary feel" is, emotional or what, I didnt feel anything legendary test driving a 330 at taste of lexus

QSVeilside

Must be referring to the reliability of ANY BMW. They are put together no better than what I put together floating in my toilet this morning... Granted, my opinion may be seriously biased based on my experiences owning a 745Li - notoriously the worst electrically problematic vehicle on the market today.

On a serious note, BMW's can handle. Yes, the 745Li was enormous, a "boat," to many out there... But it is a surprisingly very nimble boat - almost zero body roll in the turns. If you haven't test driven one, DON'T... You might be convinced to fork up the cash.

No doubt about it, BMW's can perform. Another thing they all have in common... Notice how they all smell exactly the same? Doesn't matter if you're in a 7, 5, or 3 series, they all have that distinct smell. Maybe that's the "legendary," aspect of the vehicle... the smell!

menech

sorta interesting that both the new G35 and the 335 are posting 0-60 5.2 to 5.4 times...seems like the 3 cars are now all about evenly matched, although from C&D it seems the 335 is unrated and actually faster than the advertized 0-60 times...

QSVeilside

Ah, the other thread is closed. I'll say it here.

NEVER, ever, EVER buy to own a BMW. If you ever consider it, lease it. Who gives a rat's a$$ about a warranty if it's in the shop every other week. Breakdowns = a whole lotta time = time you could use to earn more money = which means less money for you = more bills and more headaches. Therefore, BMW = a royal pain in the a$$ any way you look at it.

Lease BMW's. Never buy.

Now Toyota and Lexus? There's a reason there's an 00 4runner, an 04 LS430, and an 06 IS350 in my garage fully paid for. These things are almost bullet proof... Almost, but definitely close enough

Shinedown

As the owner a 540i sport I understand the "legendary feel" thing. As far as handling and steering goes not many brands can compete. But reliable? NOT!
Sometimes I think the electronics and wiring are made of wet noodles.

Ice350

iTrader: (1)

Almost all the mags give high ratings to any bimmer in a comparo. Either bimmers are really head and shoulders above the other brands or the mag testers are oin dope...or getting some payola.
I have never driven a bimmer. Rode in a few but never drove one. I have got to try one out.
Reliability issues would keep me from ever buying one but I must experience this driving heaven everyone is always talking about.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Eddo, I merged your post with another on the same topic that has been under discussion for a couple of days already. Please put non-2IS car threads in the car chat forum, thanks.