2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible: A Great GT, But Misses The Sports Car Mark

Hardtop convertibles occupy an interesting niche in the premium automotive world. Their retractable steel roofs provide year-round comfort while allowing open air motoring during the warmer months - an important consideration in our Canadian climate where many consider it impractical to own a drop-top due to the short summer driving season. When it comes to performance models like the 2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible, however, the sacrifices associated with this type of convertible design make themselves known in a manner that can significantly affect the mission of the automobile in question.

A Weighty Question

The 2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible is offered as a step above the standard G Convertible in terms of both handling and power. With more aggressive shocks and springs at each corner, a special dual exhaust system, and a re-tuned version of the vehicle's 3.7-liter V-6 engine that puts out 343 horses and 273 lb-ft of torque (compared to the standard G's 330 ponies and 270 lb-ft of twist), the vehicle is clearly aimed at quickening the pulses of those who would typically shop in the BMW M or Audi S aisle at their local dealership. The IPL G Convertible also looks the part thanks to a sporty body kit, a revised front end, enormous exhaust tips, and spiffy 19-inch rims - not to mention the fact that even with the top up the IPL's profile comes across as sleek and graceful.

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Despite this list of upgrades, there's one very important "gotcha" associated with the Infiniti IPL G Convertible, and that is its 1908 kg curb weight. Much of this additional mass is associated with the hardware required to stuff the roof into the trunk, and every single extra kilo is felt when pushing the IPL hard down a stretch of twisty road. The vehicle's rear end threatens to slide out much earlier than in the IPL G Coupe (which weighs more than 200 kg less) when the throttle is applied mid-corner, and launching hard from a stop provides competent, but not breath-taking acceleration.

Our test vehicle came with a seven-speed automatic transmission (featuring paddle shifters), but a six-speed manual can also be ordered for drivers who prefer to row their own gears. The latter is recommended for anyone seeking to squeeze out every possible ounce of performance from the IPL G Convertible's drivetrain, as we found the seven-speed frequently unable to keep up with the demands of our right feet during our week with the car. The IPL G Convertible's range is decent for its weight and power rating, showing as 7.8 L/100 km during highway driving and a more thirsty 11.9 L/100 km around town.

An Excellent GT Car

If the Infiniti IPL G Convertible fails to impress as a top-drawer sporty drop top, then it certainly turns the trick as a comfortable and stylish grand touring car. The IPL G Convertible is exceptionally comfortable when asked to devour hundreds of kilometers at a stretch, and the red leather interior of our tester provided top-notch accommodations the entire week. Infiniti's navigation and entertainment system interface is one of the best in the game, and although the stereo system sometimes strained against wind noise, we were happy with the easy-to-use controls and simple, yet elegant design of the IPL's cockpit.

If you are thinking of bringing more than one traveling companion along with you in the IPL G Convertible, however, make sure that they are under the age of 12, because you won't want to subject adults to either of the rear seats for more than a few minutes at a time. Trunk space is equally limited, going from "acceptable" with the roof raised to "handbag" with the top down in short order.

From a features standpoint, the IPL is nicely equipped right out of the box and offers very little in the way of optional equipment. The convertible comes with heated and cooled seats, the aforementioned entertainment and navigation systems, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB interface for listening to tunes out on the road. Unfortunately, there's no audio jack to line-in a portable music device, and the lack of availability of features such as adaptive cruise control is puzzling in such a pricy car - especially considering that the high tech system can be found on other Infiniti G models.

Not Quite Ready For Battle With The Big Boys

The 2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible is a gorgeous, powerful, and well-executed hardtop convertible that will please many drivers interested in enjoying the sun and looking great while doing it. However, given its rougher riding suspension system and relatively modest power boost, it's not clear whether the IPL G Convertible offers enough cachet in order to tempt buyer to shell out the nearly $10,000 extra over the MSRP of the standard G drop-top. The IPL G Convertible isn't exactly ready to do battle with the BMW M3, but it does show that the Japanese luxury brand is starting to get serious about moving into the premium high performance space.