Generations: what actually changed between 1991 and 2013
Four generations are in the data. English generation names are not measured (imya_en is null), so they are labelled here as generation 4 (2006–2013), generation 3 (2002–2007), generation 2 (1999–2002), generation 1 (1991–1996). Body types in the English labels are Cabrio, Coupe, Sedan, Sedan.
Four generations are in the data. English generation names are not measured (`imya_en` is null), so they are labelled here as generation 4 (2006–2013), generation 3 (2002–2007), generation 2 (1999–2002), generation 1 (1991–1996). Body types in the English labels are Cabrio, Coupe, Sedan, Sedan.
| Generation | Years | Body | Versions listed | Power range | Drive | Typical 0–100 | Typical kerb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generation 4 | 2006–2013 | Cabrio | 12 listed (count field 18) | 222–335 hp | RWD or AWD | 5.6–8.9 s | 1706–1988 kg (where measured) |
| Generation 3 | 2002–2007 | Coupe | 12 | 260–302 hp | RWD or AWD | 5.8–6.2 s | 1510–1720 kg |
| Generation 2 | 1999–2002 | Sedan | 4 | 140–145 hp | FWD | 9.5–10.7 s (one AT not measured) | 1306–1325 kg (two AT/MT not fully weighed) |
| Generation 1 | 1991–1996 | Sedan | 4 | 140–145 hp | FWD | 9.5–10.0 s (both AT not measured) | 1306–1325 kg (both AT not measured) |
What generation 4 changed versus generation 3: displacement up from 3498 cm³ to 3696 cm³ on the main engine (and a new 2496 cm³ `2.5 AT`); peak power up from 302 hp to 335 hp (+33 hp); gearbox on automatics from 5-speed Automatic to 7-speed Automatic; body from Coupe to Cabrio; kerb weight up — lightest measured generation 3 Coupe is 1510 kg (`3.5 MT` 260 hp), lightest measured generation 4 Cabrio is 1706 kg (`3.7 MT` 320 hp), a +196 kg step. Ground clearance falls from 160 mm (all generation 3) to 135 mm or 132 mm (generation 4). Tank is 75 l in generation 3, 76 l or 80 l in generation 4.
What generation 3 changed versus generation 2: engine from 1998 cm³ Inline 4 to 3498 cm³ V-shaped 6; drive from FWD to RWD/AWD; power from 145 hp max to 302 hp max (+157 hp); 0–100 from 9.5 s best sedan to 5.8 s coupe (−3.7 s); kerb from ~1325 kg to 1510–1720 kg.
Generation 2 versus generation 1: same 1998 cm³ Gasoline Inline 4, same FWD, same 140/145 hp pair, same 60 l tank, same 150 mm clearance. The measured differences are small: generation 2 `2.0 MT` 140 hp is 10.2 s to 100 km/h versus generation 1 `2.0 MT` 140 hp at 10.0 s; generation 2 `2.0 MT` 145 hp is 9.5 s / 200 km/h versus generation 1 `2.0 MT` 145 hp at 9.5 s / 210 km/h. Mixed consumption: generation 2 `2.0 MT` 140 hp 8.7 l/100 km versus generation 1 `2.0 MT` 145 hp 10.2 l/100 km. Buying generation 2 over generation 1 is not a power upgrade; it is a later Sedan with the same labelled outputs.
Engines and specs
Every engine here is Gasoline, boost No. Cylinders and layout come from the data: 6 and V-shaped on generations 3–4; 4 and Inline on generations 1–2.
Generation 4 (2006–2013) Cabrio
Same name `3.7 AT` / `3.7 MT` / `2.5 AT` repeats; they are told apart by hp, drive, mass, and 0–100.
| Version | hp | Nm | cm³ | Fuel grade | Cyl / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| `3.7 AT` 333 hp RWD, 6.4 s, 1988 kg | 333 | 363 | 3696 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 7 | RWD |
| `3.7 MT` 320 hp, 6.2 s, 1888 kg | 320 | 360 | 3696 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| `3.7 MT` 333 hp, 6.3 s | 333 | 366 | 3696 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| `3.7 AT` 320 hp, 6.4 s, 1898 kg | 320 | 360 | 3696 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 7 | RWD |
| `3.7 AT` 333 hp, 5.9 s, 1710 kg, grade 98 | 333 | 363 | 3696 | 98 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 7 | RWD |
| `3.7 MT` 320 hp, 5.8 s, 1706 kg | 320 | 360 | 3696 | not measured | 6 V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| `3.7 MT` 333 hp, 6.0 s, 1774 kg | 333 | 366 | 3696 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| `3.7 AT` 335 hp AWD, 5.6 s, 1745 kg | 335 | 366 | 3696 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 7 | AWD |
| `3.7 AT` 320 hp, 5.9 s, 1719 kg | 320 | 360 | 3696 | not measured | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 7 | RWD |
| `2.5 AT` 222 hp RWD | 222 | 253 | 2496 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 7 | RWD |
| `3.7 AT` 333 hp AWD, 6.0 s, 1761 kg | 333 | 361 | 3696 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 7 | AWD |
| `2.5 AT` 222 hp AWD | 222 | 254 | 2496 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 7 | AWD |
Power per litre (hp ÷ litres): `3.7 AT` 335 hp = 90.6 hp/l; `3.7` 333 hp = 90.1 hp/l; `3.7` 320 hp = 86.6 hp/l; `2.5 AT` 222 hp = 88.9 hp/l. The 2.5 is not a weak specific-output engine; it is a smaller engine. Specific output of 222 hp from 2.496 l is 2.3 hp/l higher than 320 hp from 3.696 l.
Generation 3 (2002–2007) Coupe
| Version | hp | Nm | cm³ | Fuel grade | Cyl / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| `3.5 AT` 284 hp, 5.9 s, 1600 kg | 284 | 366 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 5 | RWD |
| `3.5 MT` 284 hp, 5.8 s, 1600 kg | 284 | 366 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| `3.5 MT` 302 hp, 5.8 s, 1600 kg | 302 | 350 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| `3.5 AT` 302 hp, 5.8 s, 1600 kg | 302 | 350 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 5 | RWD |
| `3.5 AT` 260 hp RWD, 6.2 s, 1555 kg | 260 | 352 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 5 | RWD |
| `3.5 AT` 260 hp AWD, 6.2 s, 1555 kg | 260 | 352 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 5 | AWD |
| `3.5 MT` 260 hp, 6.2 s, 1510 kg | 260 | 352 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| `3.5 MT` 280 hp, 6.2 s, 1580 kg | 280 | 366 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Manual 6 | RWD |
| `3.5 AT` 284 hp, 6.2 s, 1555 kg | 284 | 366 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 5 | RWD |
| `3.5 AT` 284 hp AWD, 6.0 s, 1660 kg | 284 | 366 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 5 | AWD |
| `3.5 AT` 302 hp AWD, 5.9 s, 1720 kg | 302 | 355 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 5 | AWD |
| `3.5 AT` 302 hp RWD, 5.9 s, 1580 kg | 302 | 355 | 3498 | 95 | 6 V-shaped | No | Automatic 5 | RWD |
Specific output: 302 hp / 3.498 l = 86.3 hp/l; 284 hp = 81.2 hp/l; 280 hp = 80.0 hp/l; 260 hp = 74.3 hp/l. Generation 4’s 335 hp 3.7 is +4.3 hp/l versus generation 3’s 302 hp 3.5.
Generation 2 (1999–2002) Sedan and generation 1 (1991–1996) Sedan
| Generation | Version | hp | Nm | cm³ | Fuel | Cyl / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | `2.0 AT` 140 hp | 140 | 180 | 1998 | 92 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic 4 | FWD |
| 2 | `2.0 MT` 140 hp | 140 | 180 | 1998 | 92 | 4 Inline | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2 | `2.0 MT` 145 hp | 145 | 185 | 1998 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2 | `2.0 AT` 145 hp | 145 | 185 | 1998 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic 4 | FWD |
| 1 | `2.0 MT` 140 hp | 140 | 180 | 1998 | 92 | 4 Inline | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 1 | `2.0 AT` 140 hp | 140 | 180 | 1998 | 92 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic 4 | FWD |
| 1 | `2.0 MT` 145 hp | 145 | 185 | 1998 | 92 | 4 Inline | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 1 | `2.0 AT` 145 hp | 145 | 185 | 1998 | 92 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic 4 | FWD |
Specific output: 140 hp / 1.998 l = 70.1 hp/l; 145 hp = 72.6 hp/l. That is 18.0 hp/l less than generation 4’s 335 hp 3.7.
Performance and economy (mpg-style litres, 0–100, top speed)
Top speed is 250 km/h on most generation 4 3.7s; the AWD `3.7 AT` 333 hp is 240 km/h. `2.5 AT` RWD is 232 km/h, `2.5 AT` AWD is 237 km/h. Generation 3 Coupe tops out at 250, 240, 233 or 230 km/h depending on version. Generation 2: `2.0 MT` 140 hp 209 km/h, `2.0 MT` 145 hp 200 km/h, `2.0 AT` 145 hp 209 km/h; `2.0 AT` 140 hp top speed not measured. Generation 1: `2.0 MT` 140 hp 209 km/h, `2.0 MT` 145 hp 210 km/h; both `2.0 AT` top speeds not measured.
Fastest 0–100 in the whole model: generation 4 `3.7 AT` 335 hp AWD, 5.6 s. Slowest measured 0–100: generation 2 `2.0 AT` 145 hp, 10.7 s (4.1 s slower). Generation 4 `2.5 AT` versus the 335 hp `3.7 AT`: 8.9 s vs 5.6 s on RWD 2.5 vs AWD 3.7 — the 2.5 needs +3.3 s. Power gap is 113 hp.
Weight per horsepower (kerb ÷ hp), where both figures exist:
- Best (lowest) among measured 3.7 Cabrios: `3.7 AT` 333 hp 1710 kg = 5.14 kg/hp.
- `3.7 AT` 335 hp AWD 1745 kg = 5.21 kg/hp.
- Heaviest Cabrio: `3.7 AT` 333 hp 1988 kg = 5.97 kg/hp.
- Generation 3 Coupe `3.5 AT` 302 hp 1580 kg RWD = 5.23 kg/hp; `3.5 MT` 260 hp 1510 kg = 5.81 kg/hp.
- Generation 2 `2.0 MT` 140 hp 1306 kg = 9.33 kg/hp — almost +4.2 kg/hp versus the 5.14 kg/hp Cabrio.
Fuel use, mixed, where measured:
- Best 3.7: generation 4 `3.7 AT` 320 hp 1719 kg, 10.4 city 15.2 / highway 7.7.
- Worst measured 3.7 mixed: `3.7 AT` 333 hp AWD, 12.3 (city 16.8 / highway 9.7).
- `3.7 MT` 320 hp 1706 kg: mixed 10.5, city 15.2, highway 7.8, CO2 248.
- `3.7 MT` 320 hp 1888 kg: mixed 11.9, city 17, CO2 275 — +1.4 l/100 km mixed and +27 g/km versus the 1706 kg MT, for the same 320 hp label.
- `2.5 AT` RWD mixed 10.2 (city 13.8 / highway 8.1) — 0.2 l/100 km better than the best measured 3.7 mixed, with 98 hp less.
- `2.5 AT` AWD consumption not measured.
- Generation 3: only three mixed figures — `3.5 MT` 260 hp 11.2, `3.5 AT` 284 hp RWD 11.2, `3.5 AT` 284 hp AWD 11.8. The rest of generation 3 consumption is not measured.
- Generation 2 `2.0 MT` 140 hp mixed 8.7; `2.0 AT` 145 hp mixed 9.0. Generation 1 `2.0 MT` 140 hp mixed 8.7; `2.0 MT` 145 hp mixed 10.2. Automatics in generation 1: consumption not measured.
CO2 is measured on only three Cabrios: 275, 264, 248, 246 g/km. Euro class is Euro 4 where given; several versions have eco class not measured.
Dimensions and weight
Ground clearance: generation 3 Coupe 160 mm on every version; generation 4 Cabrio 135 mm on most, 132 mm on `2.5 AT` RWD, `2.5 AT` AWD, and `3.7 AT` 333 hp AWD 1761 kg. Generation 1–2 Sedan 150 mm. Buying a Cabrio versus a Coupe costs 25 mm of clearance (160 → 135), or 28 mm on the 132 mm cars.
Tank: 80 l on four early-list 3.7s (the 1988/1888/unweighed/1898 kg group); 76 l on the rest of generation 4; 75 l on all generation 3; 60 l on generations 1–2. The 80 l tank versus 60 l is +20 l.
Wheels, where measured:
- Generation 4: `225/50 R18` and `245/45 R18` on `3.7 AT` 333 hp 1988 kg, `3.7 MT` 320 hp 1706 kg, `3.7 AT` 320 hp 1719 kg; other generation 4 wheels not measured.
- Generation 3: `225/50 R17`, `235/50 R17`, `225/45 R18`, `245/45 R18` on both 302 hp 1600 kg RWD cars; other generation 3 wheels not measured.
- Generation 2: `195/65 R15` and `205/60 R16` on both 145 hp cars; 140 hp wheels not measured.
- Generation 1: wheels not measured on all four.
Gross weight examples: Cabrio 2112–2315 kg where measured; Coupe 1978–2172 kg; Sedan generation 2 145 hp 1830 kg (140 hp MT gross not measured). Generation 1 gross not measured.
Front brakes are Ventilated disc across the listed versions. Rear brakes are Disc ventilated on most; generation 4 `3.7 AT` 333 hp 1710 kg and `3.7 MT` 320 hp 1706 kg use rear Disc. Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear where given.
Which version to choose
Buy generation 4 `3.7 AT` 335 hp AWD if the decision is 0–100. It is the only 5.6 s car. Versus the next AWD 3.7 (`3.7 AT` 333 hp, 6.0 s, 1761 kg, 240 km/h), you gain 0.4 s, 2 hp, 5 Nm, 10 km/h top speed, and you lose mixed economy: 11.8 vs 12.3 is actually 0.5 l/100 km better on the 335 hp car (13.1/9.4/11.8 versus 16.8/9.7/12.3). Versus the lightest 333 hp RWD automatic (`3.7 AT` 1710 kg, 5.9 s, fuel grade 98), the 335 hp AWD is 0.3 s quicker, 35 kg heavier, and uses 95 not 98. Kerb/power is 5.21 vs 5.14 kg/hp — the 98-octane 333 hp RWD is the denser car.
Buy generation 4 `3.7 AT` 320 hp 1719 kg if the decision is fuel. Mixed 10.4 l/100 km and highway 7.7 are the best 3.7 figures; CO2 246 is the best measured CO2. You give up 15 hp versus 335 hp and 0.3 s (5.9 vs 5.6). City 15.2 versus the 335 hp AWD’s 13.1 means the AWD 335 is 2.1 l/100 km better in the city even though mixed is worse — the 320 hp car’s advantage is highway and mixed, not city.
Buy generation 4 `3.7 MT` 320 hp 1706 kg if you want a Manual and the lowest Cabrio kerb. 1706 kg is the lightest measured Cabrio; 0–100 is 5.8 s (only 0.2 s behind the 335 hp AWD); mixed 10.5; CO2 248; eco class not measured; clearance not measured; fuel grade not measured. Versus the other `3.7 MT` 320 hp (1888 kg, 6.2 s, mixed 11.9, city 17, tank 80 l): same 320 hp / 360 Nm, but +182 kg, +0.4 s, +1.4 l/100 km mixed. The 80 l tank is the extra you get with the heavier MT.
Do not assume every `3.7 AT` 333 hp is the same car. The 1988 kg `3.7 AT` 333 hp is 278 kg heavier than the 1710 kg `3.7 AT` 333 hp, 0.5 s slower (6.4 vs 5.9), mixed 11.6 vs 11.2, tank 80 vs 76, fuel 95 vs 98. Same name, 5.97 vs 5.14 kg/hp.
Buy generation 4 `2.5 AT` only if you accept 222 hp. RWD: 8.9 s, 232 km/h, mixed 10.2, 1732 kg, 132 mm. AWD: 8.8 s, 237 km/h, 1775 kg, consumption not measured. Versus `3.7 AT` 335 hp you lose 113 hp and 3.3 s. Mixed 10.2 is the best measured mixed figure in generation 4 — so the 2.5 is the economy Cabrio, not the slow-and-thirsty one.
Buy generation 3 Coupe if mass and clearance matter more than the last 30 hp. The 302 hp RWD pair at 1600 kg and 5.8 s matches or beats several 333 hp Cabrios while carrying 110–388 kg less than those Cabrios and sitting 25 mm higher (160 vs 135). `3.5 MT` 260 hp at 1510 kg is the lightest Infiniti G with a 6-cylinder in this file; 0–100 is 6.2 s — 0.6 s slower than the 335 hp Cabrio, 235 kg lighter. AWD in generation 3: `3.5 AT` 260 hp AWD is the same 6.2 s and 1555 kg as the 260 hp RWD AT but top speed 233 vs 240 km/h; `3.5 AT` 284 hp AWD is 6.0 s, 1660 kg, mixed 11.8 versus RWD 284 hp 6.2 s / 1555 kg / mixed 11.2 — AWD here costs 105 kg and 0.6 l/100 km mixed, and is 0.2 s quicker. `3.5 AT` 302 hp AWD is 1720 kg / 5.9 s versus 302 hp RWD 1580 kg / 5.9 s: same time, +140 kg.
Buy generation 2 `2.0 MT` 140 hp if the car is a FWD Sedan and mixed 8.7 l/100 km is the point. Versus generation 4’s best 3.7 mixed (10.4), that is −1.7 l/100 km. Versus generation 4 335 hp you give up 195 hp and 4.6 s (10.2 vs 5.6). `2.0 MT` 145 hp is 9.5 s and 200 km/h — 0.7 s quicker than the 140 hp MT but 9 km/h slower top speed on generation 2. Generation 2 `2.0 AT` 145 hp is the slowest measured car in the line-up at 10.7 s. Generation 2 `2.0 AT` 140 hp has 0–100, top speed, consumption, and kerb all not measured — you cannot rank it on performance from this file.
Buy generation 1 only if you specifically want the 1991–1996 Sedan. Outputs match generation 2’s 140/145 split. Generation 1 `2.0 MT` 145 hp mixed 10.2 is 1.5 l/100 km worse than generation 2 `2.0 MT` 140 hp mixed 8.7, at +5 hp. Both generation 1 automatics: 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured, kerb not measured.
Reliability / problems: this dataset has no failure rates, recalls, or workshop figures. Those topics are not measured here. What is measured is mass, drive, gearbox, fuel, and time to 100 km/h — and those already separate the clones that share a name.
Short map: fastest = generation 4 `3.7 AT` 335 hp AWD (5.6 s). Lightest 3.7 = generation 4 `3.7 MT` 320 hp (1706 kg). Best 3.7 mixed = generation 4 `3.7 AT` 320 hp 1719 kg (10.4). Best mixed overall among measured cars = generation 2 `2.0 MT` 140 hp and generation 1 `2.0 MT` 140 hp (8.7). Lightest 6-cylinder = generation 3 `3.5 MT` 260 hp (1510 kg). Highest clearance = generation 3 Coupe (160 mm). Do not pick a `3.7 AT` or `3.5 AT` by name alone: the same label covers 320–335 hp, RWD and AWD, 1710–1988 kg, and 5.6–6.4 s.