Fortunately the wide-open spaces, arid conditions and reasonably sparse traffic allowed ample opportunity to test the coupe's mechanical mettle... and dear me how it shines. Its 6-speed shifter is fluid-like compared even to some German brands, clutch wonderfully progressive and engine superb. The VQ 3.5-L V6, an updated version of the only engine to win Ward's 10 Best Engines 9-years in a row, puts out 280-hp in this guise, slightly down from the
Nissan 350Z's 287, but it's barely perceptible. To put things into a more positive light the coupe adds a full 20-hp over the sedan, while torque is up 10 lb-ft to 270. By the way, Infiniti offers one of the best sequential-shift automatics bar none in the base model, that unlike almost every other manu-matic available holds its gear until shifted. It never changes on its own, but waits for driver input.
Yet as good as the automatic gearbox is, today I'm pointing down a vacant stretch of paved back road in a fully optioned M6, or manual 6 not to confuse any BMW fans. From standstill it charges to 6,600 rpm, traction control kicking in just enough to bite into the road surface but not so much as to ruin the fun. A quick shift chooses second gear, the rush of forward momentum stimulating. Third and fourth happen by intuition, one precise click of the shift lever to another, interval after interval, accompanied by the glorious mechanical aria of whirring cams and valves, all the while contrasted by the rising pitch of four fat 225/45WR18 performance tires howling a rhythmic drone. In no time at all the speed that was just beyond reason is now eclipsed, a momentary lapse of better judgment swept away as the velocity steadily increases.
Fortunately the wide-open spaces, arid conditions and reasonably sparse traffic allowed ample opportunity to test the coupe's mechanical mettle... and dear me how it shines. Its 6-speed shifter is fluid-like compared even to some German brands, clutch wonderfully progressive and engine superb. The VQ 3.5-L V6, an updated version of the only engine to win Ward's 10 Best Engines 9-years in a row, puts out 280-hp in this guise, slightly down from the Nissan 350Z's 287, but it's barely perceptible. To put things into a more positive light the coupe adds a full 20-hp over the sedan, while torque is up 10 lb-ft to 270. By the way, Infiniti offers one of the best sequential-shift automatics bar none in the base model, that unlike almost every other manu-matic available holds its gear until shifted. It never changes on its own, but waits for driver input. 
Yet as good as the automatic gearbox is, today I'm pointing down a vacant stretch of paved back road in a fully optioned M6, or manual 6 not to confuse any BMW fans. From standstill it charges to 6,600 rpm, traction control kicking in just enough to bite into the road surface but not so much as to ruin the fun. A quick shift chooses second gear, the rush of forward momentum stimulating. Third and fourth happen by intuition, one precise click of the shift lever to another, interval after interval, accompanied by the glorious mechanical aria of whirring cams and valves, all the while contrasted by the rising pitch of four fat 225/45WR18 performance tires howling a rhythmic drone. In no time at all the speed that was just beyond reason is now eclipsed, a momentary lapse of better judgment swept away as the velocity steadily increases.