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."