The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

31 W ednesday , January 5, 2011 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m G25 is the newest addition to Infinitis G-series lineup Story and photos by Lorne Drury Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine Think of it as the G Sedan Lite. Thats one way to describe Infinitis newest addition to the G Sedan lineup, the 2011 G25, featuring a 2.5-litre V6 engine. Previously, only a 3.7-litre V6 was offered in the G series. According to Infiniti, the 2.5-litre DOHC 24- valve V6 produces 218 hp and 187 lb/ft of torque and uses nine to 11 per cent less fuel than the 3.7-litre model. In these days of rising fuel prices, any savings at the pumps is important and Infiniti is bet- ting that the take-rate on the G25 will be brisk. This will be the entry model for the Infiniti brands best-selling line and for those with an eye on their pocketbooks, the price is cer- tainly right. Starting at $36,390, the G25 Sedan is priced more than $7,000 under the starting price of the entry-level G37 model, the G37x AWD. There is a but here, though, as that G25 base model is rear-wheel drive, while the G37x features all-wheel drive. Add AWD to the G25 and the price differential is in the $3,000 range compared with the G37x AWD. In essence, the G25 is a cheaper, less power- ful version of the G37 yet it has the same sporty styling, wide range of technology and general refinement. Until now, Infiniti was one of the few luxury brands offering only one engine choice in its lineup. Just last year, the G Sedan was refreshed with revised exterior styling, an enhanced interior and upgraded technology. Outside, the head- lights and grille were restyled and the stan- dard fog lights were moved from the head- light cluster to lower fascia. Three trim levels are available in the G25, G25 Sedan, G25x Sedan AWD and G25x Sedan AWD Sport. Prices start at $36,390 and climb to $40,450 for the G25x AWD and $45,540 for the G25x Sedan AWD Sport, which was the model I tested. Fuel economy ratings are 10.6L/100 km (27 mpg) city for the G25x AWD Sedan Sport and 7.3L/100 km (39 mpg) highway. With the lower price of the G25, it means the Infiniti family will now be available to a new batch of customers who want to move up into the entry luxury segment. While the price is lower, Infiniti doesnt scrimp in the standard features. Standard on the G25 is a slick shifting seven- speed automatic transmission, available on all three trim levels. This is the same trans- mission as in the G37. Similarly, it shares the same chassis and exterior and interior design as the G37. Also standard are leather seats, eight-way power drivers seat, aluminum interior trim, six-speaker premium audio system, automat- ic temperature control and seven-inch colour monitor for the vehicle information system. Wheels are 17-inch alloys and the G25 fea- tures High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights, anti-lock brakes and vehicle dynamic control (stability control) with trac- tion control. The G25x AWD Sedan Sport gets 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels clad with P225/50R 18 tires. Since the G25 is essentially the same as the G37 except for under the hood, one would expect the ride and handling to be similar. The ride is smooth without being floaty, thanks to independent suspension all round. Front and rear stabilizer bars help keep the G25 firmly planted to the pavement on tight corners and the power-assisted, speed-sensi- tive rack-and-pinion steering performs as one would expect in a sport sedan with just enough feedback to provide confidence for the driver. The 2.5-litre engine, which runs on premi- um unleaded fuel, is smooth and surprising- ly quiet even when you head up the rev chart. At speed, engine and wind noise is barely dis- cernable inside the cabin. The seven-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly and in the Sport model has a Snow mode function. Speaking of the cabin, the interior is very nicely done. With the Sport model, add-ons include 14-way power Sport drivers seat (instead of the standard eight-way power), sport leather steering wheel, power tilt and telescoping steering column, aluminum ped- als, magnesium paddle shifters, dual zone automatic temperature control, 10-speaker premium Bose stereo system, and tilt power glass sliding moonroof. In competition with cars like the 3-Series BMW, Audi A4 and Lexus IS250, the G25x AWD Sport offers the same great Infiniti fea- tures as its G37 sibling but with better fuel economy and a lower price. So if power is not your prime consideration in a sport sedan, whats not to like about the new G25? Infiniti G25x Sport SedanAt A Glance: BODY STYLE:four-door entry-level luxury sport sedan.DRIVE METHOD:front-engine, all- wheel drive.ENGINE:2.5-litre 24-valve DOHC V6 engine (218 hp, 187 lb/ft of torque).FUEL ECONOMY:10.6L/100 km (27 mpg) city, 7.3L/100 km (39 mpg) high- way.PRICE:as tested $45,450 plus $1,890 freight and PDI.WEB SITE:www.infiniti.caNearly everything about the G25 is the same as the G37, except under the hood. Powered by a 2.5-litre V6, the G25 makes 218 hp and 187 lb/ft of torque.