Seductive looks, with top up or down, and a no-compromise approach result in an electric hard-top convertible that’s not just beautiful but also among the fastest and most dynamic four-seat convertibles on the market. With 316 bhp of V6 power and ride and handling tuned for demanding European conditions, the fresh air Infiniti boasts a newly revised interior for 2010 as well as safety, convenience and luxury features that place it among the most lavishly specified cars in the class. Blue-sky thinking, Infiniti style, starts from $69,990

At a glance

• Just 25 seconds from beautiful coupe… to beautiful convertible
• Fast – 0-62 in 6.2 sec – dynamic and tuned for European roads
• Adaptive technologies for roof-down motoring without penalty
• GT Premium offers the complete specification – as standard
• Climate controlled seats, head-rest speakers, rear parking camera available
• 6-speed manual or 7-speed fully automatic Adaptive Shift gearbox
• Exterior colour and trim options unique to this G Line model
• Available latest generation HDD navigation and entertainment system
• VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) technology to optimise engine response and efficiency
• All versions with unique self-repairing Scratch-shield paint
• Free car pick-up/delivery service part of Infiniti’s Total Ownership Experience

OVERVIEW: THE CONVERTIBLE WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Seductive looks and a raft of adaptive technologies distinguish Infiniti’s G Convertible with electric retractable hard-top. Making its world debut early in 2009, the 155 mph Convertible is one of the five models with which Japan’s newest luxury automotive brand launched itself on to the British market.

The Convertible is part of the G Line and as such shares a good deal of its engineering – but little of its bodywork – with the G and the G Coupé. Aft of the A-pillars the panels are unique to the Convertible, something the designers insisted upon in order to fulfil a prerequisite of the G Convertible’s design: that it look stunning, no matter whether the top is in the up or down position. In a world full of ungainly looking hard-top convertibles, the Infiniti G Convertible’s three-piece folding metal roof is, literally, a breath of fresh air.

Infiniti set about tackling other traditional top-down drawbacks too, such as noise, buffeting, temperature fluctuations and impaired audio quality at speed. These aspects may rate low importance among some car-makers, but, aware of their significance to owners, Infiniti engineers and designers resolved to tackle them head on.

The answer lay in technology, particularly of the adaptive variety for which all Infiniti models are already well known. Thus the G Convertible “adapts” itself to its environment, whether it’s a hot afternoon in Provence or a frosty morning in Northumberland. Noise-cancelling technology, head restraint-mounted speakers, seats with internal heating and cooling, adaptive climate control and special aerodynamics are some of the key technologies that provide the G Convertible with its compelling open and shut case. It offers the best of all worlds – all the security of a coupé without in any way diluting the exhilaration of driving a fully open car.

The sophisticated technology is partnered inside the G Convertible by rich natural materials and a design that owes as much to traditional Japanese arts and crafts as it does to “modern luxury”.  Subtle but telling changes for 2010 Model Year Convertibles include a new pattern for the textured aluminium trim, recalling the design of Japanese calligraphy, and a new design of centre console based on that of the EX and FX crossovers. Additionally there’s a new high-gloss Maple Wood finish and white background colour for the instrument displays.

A potent and sweet-sounding 3.7-litre V6 with 320 PS (316 bhp) and choice of manual or fully automatic transmission give the G Convertible sports car pace and responsiveness. Confidence-inspiring handling with a rear-drive emphasis confirms this is no mere boulevardier but an enthusiast’s driving machine.

A four-seat cabin places the G Convertible among the world’s fastest four-seat open cars, while a lavish standard specification with few options, in contrast to some rivals, reinforces Infiniti’s lead in the price/equipment stakes.

G LINE IN DETAIL

Exterior design

It takes just 25 seconds to transform muscular coupé into beautiful convertible, with design in either guise convincing enough for the car to be one or the other, instead of both. The secret is a redesigned back end and the addition of a three-piece “clamshell” retractable metal hard-top.

The Convertible is all-new from the A-pillar back compared to the G Coupé, with extensive structural reinforcements, pop-up safety bars for rear seat passengers and a wider rear track and other suspension modifications. The hard-top, which allows for a shorter rear overhang and low boot lid, is meticulously engineered in every detail – even to the extent of minimizing water dripping into the cabin when the roof is lowered after rain.

The roof open/close switch is located on the centre console, just behind the gearshift lever.  There is the additional possibility of operating the roof from outside the car using the unlock button on the driver’s door.

Like its Coupé brother, the relatively short and low roofline accentuates the low centre of gravity afforded by the FM “front-midship” platform and sends a clear message that this is a rear-wheel-drive car.

Along with the sporting proportions, the G Convertible offers signature Infiniti styling cues such as flowing front curves, a wave-style aluminium bonnet, expressive front face with double-arch grille and L-shaped High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-Xenon cornering headlights with integrated fog lamps.  At the rear, the lights are unique to the G Convertible, incorporating an inner “circle of light” for added distinction at night.  The chrome rear boot-lid finisher incorporates both an integrated high-mount brake-light and the camera for the standard parking monitor system.

Infiniti’s advanced “self-healing” Scratch-shield paint is standard, and there are three G Convertible-exclusive colours, a dark red, a light blue and, since 2010 MY, a dark grey.

The G Convertible is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard.

Interior design

As befits a high performance convertible, the G features a leather-lined sports interior with strong driver focus. The Convertible shares much with the G Coupé including the recently revised dashboard and centre console, complete with either 7- or 8-inch colour display. Infiniti design DNA is clearly evident in the dashboard’s “double wave” upper section linked to a central vertical spine for an unmistakable feeling of solidity.

Guaranteeing an unobstructed driver’s eye view, the instrument binnacle is attached not to the dashboard but to the steering column, and moves with the wheel when it is adjusted for reach and rake. All it takes is the touch of a button. The instruments are super-clear already, day or night, thanks to electroluminescent white-and-violet illumination. The dashboard also boasts Infiniti’s integrated multi-function computer display and signature analogue clock.  The double hand-stitched leather-covered steering wheel is designed for maximum comfort and comes with standard wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls.

There’s a large engine starter button, a chunky master Infiniti controller on the centre console, and, when the automatic transmission is specified, gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel for precise manual control. Echoing the feel, weight and precision of all the controls, these shifters are no mere plastic flaps but tactile paddles crafted out of magnesium.

Heated front seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the passenger are standard. The GT Premium gets full climate-controlled seats with heating and cooling functions.

Thanks to the Convertible’s long wheelbase and efficiently packaged hard-top, the rear seats are meant to be used. The front seats move forward automatically at the touch of a button to allow passengers into the rear, a memory ensuring the seats always return to their previous position.

At 366 litres, the G Convertible’s boot is relatively capacious for the class and around a third larger than that of some rivals. The packaging efficiency is also shown by a larger-than-class-average 80-litre fuel tank, for a cruising range of almost 600 miles (at the automatic model’s extra-urban fuel consumption of 34.0 mpg).

Whether sitting in the back or front, a pleasant top-down ride is assured thanks to clever aerodynamic design, incorporating a rear wind deflector, that reduces turbulence. The adaptive dual-zone climate control system – standard on both Convertible models – includes an advanced air-conditioner that knows when the top is down and automatically compensates by relating fan speed to vehicle speed, providing optimal comfort whatever the weather. Top up, the car is as well sealed as a regular coupé.

Music lovers will adore the G Convertible. Both versions come with a HDD (hard disk drive) multimedia system with Music Box on to which CDs can be automatically downloaded. The 10 GB Music Box in the GT Premium can safely store up to 300 CDs.

The GT Premium further ups the volume with a bespoke Infiniti/Bose® 13-speaker “open air” sound system. Again, it’s adaptive technology to the fore since the system automatically optimizes sound equalization settings for open/closed roof positions, taking into account vehicle speed and the level of outside noise.  The special Bose® Personal Headrest Speakers, mounted in the front seat head restraints, enable superior front audio quality regardless of the roof position.

As well as the finely crafted aluminium interior trim, two choices of genuine wood trim are available.  Leather-upholstered seating is standard, with some colours reserved for the Convertible only. One interior treatment, an option unique to the GT Premium with automatic transmission, marries Monaco Red leather with red stained Maple Wood – with spectacular results.

Connectiviti
The G Convertible was the first Infiniti model to feature the Connectiviti information and entertainment system now available in all Infiniti models sold in the UK. Notable for its all-embracing functionality and user-friendliness, the HDD (hard disk drive) based system offers more multimedia for the money than many often-piecemeal rival systems – and it is standard on every G Convertible in the UK.

The package in the GT Convertible comprises a 2 GB Music Box with direct recording capability from the single CD reader which is both MP3 and WMA compatible. There is a USB port for MP3 players such as iPods, while Bluetooth connectivity offers audio streaming as well as hands-free use of mobile phones.

Connectiviti also comes with a voice recognition facility and steering wheel-mounted controls. In addition, front and rear parking sensors are part of the package (in addition to the standard rear-view camera).

Connectiviti+, standard on the GT Premium Convertible, offers everything most people will ever need in one totally integrated multimedia package. A 30GB HDD satellite navigation system, with 8-inch high-resolution touch screen, won’t just get you where you want to go but will warn of fixed-position safety cameras along the way, helpfully displaying the speed limit on the dash. If there is a hold-up, an alternative route will be calculated that takes into account traffic density and accident likelihood. The touch screen will display significant points of interest (POI) in stunning 3D graphics. And in a world-first collaboration with Michelin Guides, information on 22,000 POI and addresses – including of course the very best hotels and restaurants – is just a click away.

Connectiviti+ also offers a 10 GB Music Box, big enough to store 300 CDs. Thanks to the Gracenote® music database, the colour touch screen can show track names and even album cover artwork. Watching a DVD in the car is easy too – assuming the Convertible is stationary, of course.

Ease of use is guaranteed by a four-way interface which allows the driver to access the system via voice command, touch screen, Infiniti controller or, for maximum convenience, intuitive buttons on the steering wheel. The HDD’s power ensures high-resolution graphics and fast route calculation as well as the features Infiniti owners expect, such as 42-country coverage, eight languages, three route options and postcode search.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

With a top speed of 155 mph and 0-62 mph in 6.2 seconds, the G Convertible offers the performance – and the exhaust note – to distinguish a sports car, never mind a car with four seats and an electrically operated folding hard-top. It’s all courtesy of one of the most charismatic, potent and efficient V6 engines on the market, Infiniti’s 3.7-litre VVEL unit.

This all-aluminium engine is a super-strong but lightweight 24-valve twin-cam unit whose 320 PS (316 bhp) peaks at a soul-stirring 7000 rpm, 500 rpm short of the red line. Torque is an impressive 360 Nm (266 lb ft) at 5200 rpm.

The V6 combines its high performance side with efficiency thanks to Variable Valve Event and Lift technology. VVEL boosts power and response but also improves fuel economy and lowers emissions, compared to standard valve lift systems, by continually altering valve lift and therefore the quantity of air in the combustion chamber. Precise mapping of the ECU maximises the advantages of the VVEL system to ensure power and torque build progressively, avoiding any feeling of a “peaky” power delivery.

In standard form with fast-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, the G Convertible returns fuel economy on the combined cycle of 23.7 mpg with CO2 emissions of 275 g/km. Demonstrating how efficient Infiniti’s new 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) automatic transmission is, economy is boosted to 24.8 mpg with the optional auto, while CO2 drops to 264 g/km. Thanks to its long-legged seventh ratio and six closely stacked intermediates, the automatic can get the most from every drop of fuel whether left in Drive or being used in manual mode via the steering-column mounted gearshift paddles.

With the Downshift Rev Matching feature and the roof down, aural stimulation is guaranteed.

ON THE ROAD

The Convertible’s considerable power can be used to good effect thanks to steering, suspension and brakes that have been tuned for European roads, ensuring maximum safety and enjoyment even when pushed to the limit. And, most importantly, with no loss of the comfort and refinement that marks out every Infiniti.

Along with other Infiniti models, the Convertible’s ride and handling prowess is a product of the second-generation FM “front midship” platform on which the car is based. With the V6 engine as low down and as far back in the chassis as possible, the centre of gravity is lower and front-to-rear weight distribution more even. To maintain its sister Coupé’s impressive rigidity, the Convertible benefits from reinforced front side members, front pillars and body sills, the reinforcements invisibly integrated into the new bodywork.

Together with many lightweight aluminium components and sophisticated fully independent suspension, the G Convertible offers a recipe for agility and security in equal measure. The Convertible is rear-wheel drive and has the resolved handling – and consequent driver involvement – to prove it.

The Convertible comes with Electronic Stability Program (ESP), while the four-wheel vented disc brakes have a four-channel, four-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The power steering system is a vehicle speed-sensing type that provides optimum steering effort at both high and low road speeds.