The Road As A Canvas

Hot on the heels of the update to the G35, infiniti has changed the G37 coupe into a hard top convertible.

There seems to be a growing trend for companies to put out hard top convertibles these days. BMW, Mercedes and others are doing it. My question is why? Is there some need for a complicated weight hard top convertible?

What is wrong with a cloth top? My Boxster S has a cloth top and it was fine. It was triple insulated and quiet with the top up. How much insulation does a piece of sheet metal and some carpet add to the car anyways? That being said, I did not drive the Boxster in the winter, it was a summer car after all. But I have seen many cloth top Mustangs driving in the snow.

The biggest surprise is that the metal origami roof of the G37 adds about 450lbs of weight to this car. That is a significant amount. It comes from the extra motors, gears hinges and hydraulics required to operate the roof. It also comes from the strengthening required in the frame of the vehicle. Many people do not realize that the roof of the car is a structural part of the car. Without it there, the strength has to come from the floor.

In addition to the weight, that is a lot of moving parts to service and it is a lot of weather stripping that will have to be replaced. I am thinking years down the road. I have heard reports of certain cars squeaking and rattling after only 1 year.

All that being said, just look at it, it is stunning. I have always been a fan of the G Coupe, it has always been styled well, and I especially like the exhaust note when it pulls away.

The headrest mounted speakers are a nice touch, I know the stereo can be hard to hear when you out on the highway with the top down.

It is a great car for a very reasonable price for what you get. I can’t wait to try it when it comes to showrooms later this year.

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