It looks like Infiniti’s dedication to “Inspired Performance” is about to get even more inspiring: The company recently debuted its dramatic new 2011 Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) G Coupe at the 60th annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, ushering in a whole new era in the performance luxury segment. In fact, this new high performer will be just the first of an expected series of Infiniti vehicles to undergo an IPL transformation.
“IPL was conceived to create a new premium performance envelope, going beyond equipment upgrades to accelerate the very soul of Infiniti’s Inspired Performance,” said Infiniti Vice President Ben Poore. “IPL brings all the elements together, styling harmonized with performance, exhaust note with acceleration feel, ride comfort and confident handling. It’s the perfect formula for unmatched driving exhilaration.”
It’s also the perfect description of the IPL G Coupe. Based on the standard Inifiniti G, the IPL model gets a thoroughly revised exterior that features striking new front and rear bumper/fascia designs with integrated fog lights, as well as accents like sculpted side sills, a rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tip and IPL-specfic 19-inch wheels, wrapped in low-profile W-rated Bridgestone Potenzas. To further set the IPL G Coupe apart from the crowd, it will only be offered in two sophisticated colors: Graphite Shadow and Malbec Black.
On the inside, drivers will enjoy an impressive mix of enthusiast-orient design and the latest cutting-edge convenience technologies. Standard content includes sport seats with plenty of support for dynamic driving, aluminum pedals, the Infiniti “Studio on Wheels” sound system from Bose, a navigation system with voice-recognition functionality, a rear-view camera and a rear sonar system.
And while the IPL G Coupe offers more than just performance upgrades, it doesn’t skimp on them either. Infiniti engineers worked to enhance the car’s driving experience by focusing on three separate areas of improvement. First, for increased acceleration, the Coupe’s engine-management and exhaust systems were retuned to deliver a robust 348 hp and 276 lb-ft of torque, noticeable increases over the numbers in the standard G Coupe. Then, the car’s suspension was overhauled to provide an optimum mix of confident handling and smooth ride comfort, while also enhancing road feel. Finally, Infiniti even made the car sound better:
“When you drive the IPL G Coupe, the first thing you notice is the surge in sound and acceleration feel. The inspiring swell of sound is in complete harmony with the acceleration feel as engine speed increases,” said Poore. “The sound is clean and inspiring, adding to the fun-to-drive sensation provided by the 348 horsepower under the hood.”
The company also is expanding the G lineup in another direction with the 2011 G25 Sedan. This fresh entry leverages the proven appeal of the G37 Sedan and adds a new, more fuel-efficient powerplant—a responsive 2.5-liter 24-valve V6—into the mix.
“With the new G25 Sedan, we’re broadening the appeal of the G Line with a model designed to provide an additional choice for buyers looking for a true luxury sedan, but who might not need the higher levels of performance provided by our larger engine-equipped G37 models,” added Poore.
Infiniti Boston Drivers can expect the G25 Sedan to reach dealerships in September of this year, with the IPL G Coupe to follow in December.
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