There's big news for the Infiniti M mid-size premium performance sedan for 2008: the fortification of its base V-6 engine, now dubbed VQ35HR (High Revolution).

This edition of Nissan's lauded VQ-series V-6 was introduced in the second-generation G35 sedan and it brings a gain of 28 horsepower to the M35 and M35x for power totals of 303 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The rear-drive model also gets a new seven-speed automatic, while the all-wheel-drive edition sticks with its five-speed automatic.

The V-8 M45 stars the same for this year, but all Infiniti Ms also get a Drive Sport shift mode and automatic speed-sensing door locks, along with Scratch Shield paint.

Last weekend, we showed you this first photo of the Infiniti G37 Convertible. Now, Infiniti's sent over this marvy video of chief Nissan designer Shiro Nakamura, talking about the style and substance of the new hardtop convertible.

The new 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible uses a three-piece folding hardtop to give coupe form and strength when you want it, and to hide itself away in shame when the sun peeks out. It'll be powered by a version of Nissan's 3.7-liter V-6, and it will make more than 320 horsepower. On-sale date is early 2009.


Infiniti House of Inspiration from Steve Mallory on Vimeo.

It's been a long time since Infiniti offered a convertible--set your wayback machine for the M30 that launched with the original Infiniti lineup in 1989.

Today, the upscale Nissan brand is rejoining the fray with its first hardtop convertible.The new 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible is spun from the coupe we told you about last week. For the new package, Infiniti's gone with a three-piece folding hardtop that gives it coupe structure when needed and top-down motoring when the weather allows. Because that's what convertibles do, according to Wikipedia.The G37 Convertible will get its power from a version of Nissan's lovely 3.7-liter V-6, and it will make more than 320 horsepower. On-sale date is early 2009.

Will Chrysler really ditch passenger cars for trucks, and get in bed with Nissan? Our bet is yes, but no telling if the resulting love child will have Chrysler pizzazz, Nissan quality, or John Edwards' eyes.

The new Mazda6 is ready to take on the Camry, Accord, Malibu, and the other mid-size titans. Also, the Ford Fusion. Erm, maybe that last one was not the plan.

New for 2009, the Infiniti G37 comes in sedan, coupe, or convertible, your choice--stick around next week as we show you that tantalizing third option from the grounds of Pebble Beach.

Next week we'll also bring you the first in-person look at the ZR1 before we blow the lid on our first drive August 20. For those about to rock, we salute you, or something suitably Metallic.

We did drive the new VW Jetta diesel, and the completely geeked-out Colin Mathews reports it's as good as diesels get. He should know: His old Benz runs on the same stuff they use to make school kids fat.

Volkswagen showed off the sixth-generation Golf, which may or may not become a Rabbit here. Our modest proposal: Ditch them both for a really New Beetle for $15,000, and hang on to the GTI.

Honda's making sure its new hybrid undercuts the Toyota Prius. To do so, it's cutting the number of parts, boosting its hybrid efficiency, and also, buying up thousands of Priuses and turning them into fondue pots. (Word to the wise: Use more gruyere for a smoother texture.)

The Porsche Cayenne is going smaller quicker than expected, which is better than going ugly early, in our experience.

We showed you the next Kia Sorento, spied out in the California desert, and the new big Kia sedan out in the same desert. Coincidence? We think not. That desert's pretty big.

Mercedes may have to cancel its new M-Class hybrid over battery problems. Tuscaloosa will just have to make do with college football. (It's apparently "a big deal" there.)

Lexus is the king of VDS--make sure you read that non-plural, we don't want any trouble.

Could GM and Ford really combine forces to share engines? Wonder Twin powers, activate! Form of, a Fish carburetor! Shape of, cheap and easy hydrogen fuel! Yeah, it'll happen.

We named our eight best cars for college this week, despite the fact that none of them will fit under the gates at Georgia State's parking deck or carry 12 kicked kegs back for the deposit.

Lastly, we told you about the redneck Stonehenge made out of old cars in a Utah suburb, and found a great Spinal Tap clip for you, and got no love for it. Next week as punishment you're getting Hugh Grant.

Infiniti says the 2009 G lineup will include a new convertible version of its G37 Coupe, a four-wheel-drive G37 Coupe and a G37 sedan as the new versions roll out over the next six months.

The big news is the long-anticipated convertible edition of the G37 Coupe. Set to launch in the first quarter of 2009, the convertible will be the first droptop spun from the G hardware. A three-piece retractable hardtop provides the sun on cue, and the audio and climate control systems have been tuned for performance in top-down mode. The Convertible shows its sunny side first at the Los Angeles auto show in November.

The newly christened G37 Sport Sedan gets the uprated V-6 that had been the province of the Coupe last year. Rated at 328 horsepower, it's teamed with either a seven-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The engine stays the same in all versions, but the new G37 comes in base, Journey, 6MT and AWD versions, starting in September.

For the Coupe, the big news in 2009 is the addition of a four-wheel-drive G37x AWD model. The seven-speed automatic also becomes an option, along with the standard six-speed manual. It's rated at 300 hp, and goes on sale in September as well.