Automobile Magazine: 2008 Infiniti G37 Dyno

[guitarlix]

The 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe is the first car to use Nissan's new 3.7-liter V-6. Infiniti still hasn't finalized peak output ratings, but estimates that the engine makes 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.

The new VQ37VHR engine, as it's called, is the first V-6 sold in the USA to use infinitely variable valve timing in place of a throttle. This system, called VVEL, is the second such system on the market -- BMW's Valvetronic was the first.

We discussed the new engine in depth in previous articles on the G37 (see related links below) so let's cut right to the chase: The new 3.7-liter is only 5.6 percent larger than the old engine, but made almost 22 percent more power on a chassis dynamometer.

We tested the 2007 G35 Coupe 6MT on the same dyno a few months back. When attached to the six-speed manual transmission, its 3.5-liter is rated at 293 hp @ 6400 rpm and 258 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm. Its power peak is very close to the 6600-rpm fuel cutoff - this is an engine that loves to rev. Looking at the dyno chart, you can see that it comes alive just over 2000 rpm and produces a fairly constant amount of torque until just over 5000 rpm. Torque (and the corresponding push in your rear) drops off only slightly, as the engine is still producing over 85% of its peak torque at redline. Impressive indeed.

The G37's engine, however, blows that performance away. It's rated 37 horsepower higher, but the G37 we tested put 51 more horses to the rear wheels. Since this was measured on a chassis dyno, we can't know for sure how much of that increase is due to higher engine output versus lower driveline losses. However, since the drivelines are similar, we'd guess nearly all of this increase is brute force from the new motor. Think about it this way: If frictional losses are a constant percentage, you'd have to add 63 horsepower to the G35's engine to make it put 51 more to its wheels. This is a big, big jump in power.

The best news is that Infiniti wasn't exaggerating about its other claims: the new 3.7-liter is stronger than the 3.5 both at low revs and high revs.

Its torque curve is flatter, too. Throttle response (if you can say that about a car without a throttle) is instantaneous, the 3.5's coarseness has been tamed, and I got an indicated 27 mpg - with the air conditioning switched on at 80 mph - on the way back from the dyno shop. So if there's any drawback to VVEL, we haven't seen it.
See the dyno charts for more information, and be sure to check out the videos to hear the G37 at full bore.

G35 sedan

2007 vs 2008 horsepower
2007 vs 2008 torque


http://www.automobilemag.com/multime...37_dyno_videos

[CobaltSScrazy]

So what is their engine SAE certified? We already know the HFV6 DI is 300+ hp SAE and 270 tq SAE...

I like the look of the current G35 better at least in pictures so far.

CobaltSScrazy

[johnstarnes]

What a gorgeous car...especially when seen from the front!

[Ach]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

What a gorgeous car...especially when seen from the front!

I know, that Grand Marquis is stunning...but where is the pic of the front of it?

Seriously, Infiniti has become quite the performance juggernaut. I think we'll see sub-5 sec 0-60 runs. I normally prefer BMW over Infiniti, but if I was in the market for a coupe in this price range I think I might take this over the 335i, especially since I've never been a fan of turbo motors. And the car is just beautiful, looks like something that was designed to be a coupe rather than a version of a sedan.

[FStephenMasek]

I generally don't like the sound of a 6 compared to that of an 8, but this new 6 is just outstanding. If it proves to be reliable, there seems to be little reason to use the extra materials needed to build an 8 for anything but trucks.

[RWD60]

and they're putting turbos on this thing for the GT-R. no wonder the Vette fans on this board are so scared

seriously, the VQ has to be one of the best engines ever. it's been an award winning engine for over a decade, and just keeps getting better in every way. at they haven't even put all the possible features together yet... japanese 2.5L VQ's have had DI for like 3 years, so they could probably add it to the 3.5/3.7's within a year if they really wanted.

[genjy]

I wonder why Nissan just doesn't implement DI into the 3.5L and 3.7L.

It's as if Nissan wants to squeeze everything out of them before resorting to DI.


I guess Nissan is saving the DI VQ37 for the really good stuff.

[FordFan]

Why is there a jump in the dyno of the old one?

[LAChevy24]

i hate the rear end of the G37, but the rest of the car is gorgeous

[Ach]

Originally Posted by genjy

I wonder why Nissan just doesn't implement DI into the 3.5L and 3.7L.

It's as if Nissan wants to squeeze everything out of them before resorting to DI.


I guess Nissan is saving the DI VQ37 for the really good stuff.

They don't need it. The VQ is more than competitive with the DI engines used by the competition (as well as BMW's turbo six). They're probably saving DI for a BMW M3 fighter.

[johnstarnes]

I like the chrome spoiler on the rear, and how the tail lights mirror the headlights somewhat.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by RWD60

and they're putting turbos on this thing for the GT-R. no wonder the Vette fans on this board are so scared

seriously, the VQ has to be one of the best engines ever. it's been an award winning engine for over a decade, and just keeps getting better in every way. at they haven't even put all the possible features together yet... japanese 2.5L VQ's have had DI for like 3 years, so they could probably add it to the 3.5/3.7's within a year if they really wanted.

If the GTR doesn't have DI, why would the lower end VQ have it?

And I guess Infiniti wasnt lying about the horsepower output of the car.

[JJ26]

That car is putting down some good power. Waiting on the price...

[Cabana Boy]

Originally Posted by Ach

I know, that Grand Marquis is stunning...but where is the pic of the front of it?

Seriously, Infiniti has become quite the performance juggernaut. I think we'll see sub-5 sec 0-60 runs. I normally prefer BMW over Infiniti, but if I was in the market for a coupe in this price range I think I might take this over the 335i, especially since I've never been a fan of turbo motors. And the car is just beautiful, looks like something that was designed to be a coupe rather than a version of a sedan.

Not enough torque to break into the 4's

Imprissive HP though

[AndrewGS]

Nice! I'll be hitting the dealer for a test drive when they start to arrive.