Preview Drive: 2003 Infiniti G35

auto0302infiniti_A.jpg The 2003 Infiniti G35

It's flat-out the most fun Infiniti yet. Hot on the heels of the company's all-new Q45 and overhauled I35 comes the G35, a stunning sport-luxury sedan that replaces the ho-hum G20.

During a day of testing in Phoenix, we found that the rear-drive G35-which is aimed squarely at the BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS 300-embodies a near-ideal mix of muscle and finesse. A standard 3.5-liter V6 cranks out a class-leading 260 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A 5-speed driver-shiftable automatic-a 6-speed manual is on the way-gives the G35 an authoritative punch that complements a stable multilink suspension.

Roomy and feature-rich, the G35 should be hitting dealerships about the time you read this, with a base price below $30,000.