Not to be confused with the Indian Premier League (cricket), the Indianapolis Power Light company, the Internet Public Library or the Iran Premier League (football), IPL in the automotive world will now be known as an acronym for Infiniti’s newly formed performance division, “Infiniti Performance Line” and the G Coupe will be its first production model.
So, is IPL something in the lines of BMW‘s M division, Mercedes’ AMG or Audi’s RS (Quattro)? Well, simply put, that’s not the case, at least for now. Think of IPL being more like BMW’s M-Sport packages with some added grunt under the hood.
The first vehicle from the range is the 2011 IPL G Coupe that debuts tomorrow evening at a special event at the 60th annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and goes on sale only in the States in December.
The car comes with a more dramatic bodykit (which either looks a lot like, or is the already available five-piece aero kit) with new front and rear fascias, sculpted side sills, rear spoiler and chrome exhaust tips.
There’s also a set of new 19-inch seven-spoke graphite-finish alloys in low-profile W-rated Bridgestone Potenza RE50A performance tires, while the car will be available exclusively with a choice of two exterior colors, Graphite Shadow or Malbec Black.
Inside, the IPL offers two color treatments, Graphite and Monaco Red, the latter only available with the Malbec Black exterior and 7-speed automatic transmission. Other highlights include red-stitched leather-appointed front sport seats with manual thigh extension and driver’s power torso and thigh support adjustment, red-stitched steering wheel, Silk Obi aluminum trim, and aluminum pedals and footrest.
Moving onto the mechanical upgrades, the IPL G Coupe benefits from a tweaked engine with a recalibrated ECU and a new high-flow exhaust system pushing output from 330-horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, to 348HP and 276 lb-ft. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a close ratio six-speed manual gearbox with short-throw shifter or a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
Infiniti’s engineers also fiddled around with the G37’s suspension bits, increasing spring rates by 20 per cent up front and 10 per cent at the back. The IPL G Coupe also receives a sportier-tuned steering wheel system and larger brakes with aluminum-alloy opposed calipers (4-piston front/2-piston rear), along with the firm’s Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD).
Pricing and performance specs have yet to be released.
2011 IPL G Coupe Key Features and Specs
- IPL-tuned 3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve VQ37HR V6
- 348 horsepower @ 7,400 rpm
- 276 lb-ft torque @ 5,200 rpm
- IPL-tuned high-flow dual exhaust
- Close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter or 7-speed automatic transmission with solid magnesium paddle shifters
- IPL-tuned performance suspension with independent front double wishbone / independent rear multi-link, front and rear stabilizer bars
- 19-inch IPL split 7-spoke graphite-finish wheels (19×8.5″ front / 19×9″ rear)
- P225/45R19 front / P245/40R19 rear W-rated Bridgestone Potenza RE50A summer tires
- 14.7:1 sport-tuned steering gear
- 4-wheel ventilated disc sport brakes with aluminum-alloy 4-piston opposed front brake calipers / 2-piston opposed rear calipers
- Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VSLD)-IPL aerodynamics with front and rear fascias, side sills and rear spoiler
- Unique IPL emblem
- IPL engine cover
- Red-stitched sport front seats and steering wheel
- Aluminum pedals and footrest
- Interior colors: Monaco Red Leather and Graphite Leather
- Infiniti Studio on Wheels by Bose premium audio system
- Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with XM NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information, XM NavWeather with Real-Time Weather and 3-day forecast (XM subscription required, sold separately), Zagat Restaurant Guide and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive
- RearView Monitor
- Rear Sonar System
- Moonroof
- Exterior colors: Malbec Black and Graphite Shadow
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