The redesigned interior, leather with some vinyl mostly on the dash and doors, comes in three handsome shades: wheat, graphite and stone. The instrument panel is Infiniti's double wave design, trimmed in standard spun aluminum, so understated it seems almost stark (inspired by elegant, handmade Japanese Washi paper), or optional African rosewood. The rosewood is unique and classy, while the aluminum is sporty. The signature analog clock is present, of course. The materials, fit and finish are high quality.

The three-spoke steering wheel contains audio and cruise controls, and is wrapped in hand-stitched perforated leather. The instrument panel uses electroluminescent lighting, its needles glowing red on a white-and-violet background. An information gauge gives readouts for useful stuff like immediate or average fuel mileage (16.9 for us), average speed, elapsed time, running distance, distance to empty, outside air temperature, odometer, and warning displays.

The perforated leather seats are comfortable, with the 8-way driver's seat having air lumbar support. Both front seats slide with the touch of a button, to allow passengers into the rear seat. The Sport Package, standard on the 6MT, adds 14-way sport-styled seats with thigh extensions and power adjustable torso and thigh bolsters for the driver, sporty steering-wheel stitching, and aluminum pedals.

The paddle shifters on the steering wheel are magnesium, and you can actually reach them with your fingers when your hands are at the 10 and 2 o'clock position on the steering wheel. With many other cars it's not possible. You pull back on each one: right side upshifts, left side downshifts.

Door pockets are small, half-taken by armrests, although each includes a hollow for a water bottle. Plus, there are two big cupholders behind the shift lever. Further back, under the driver's elbow, the size of the compartment in the center console is reasonable, and there's a glovebox.

A cool center stack falls around a small screen that displays data or navigation information, with the $2200 navigation package. It's easy to understand, and its functions controlled with a four-way dial that indicates current traffic conditions, including construction ahead, with routes showing in green, yellow or red, colors based on congestion. It's all done through XM radio.

Infiniti has done the radio right. While many German, British and some Japanese cars are ridiculously overcomplicating sound system controls, Infiniti sees that simple is good (because it's efficient), and also intelligent. The G37 shows off its sound system with SOUND capabilities, not button-pushing and menu-interpreting that's only tail-chasing.

The optional G37 music box sound system uses a 9.3 gigabyte hard drive to record about 90 CDs in superfast time (it's legal because it's not burning). So you never have to carry CDs in your car. The directory can access your CDs by artist or type of music.

There's a vent in each A pillar to keep the side windows clear, and lots of rear glass gives good visibility and makes up for a lack of head space back there. There's not much knee room in the rear seats; that legroom stat of 29.8 inches is the lowest we've seen in a long time. The driveshaft hump runs high between the two rear seats, and supports an unimaginative console with cupholders and a vinyl tray. There's a wide crack between the seatback and seat bottom that might be uncomfortable over the miles.

That crack exists because the seatbacks fold forward to extend the trunk space, which is fairly shallow, with only 7.4 cubic feet. Overall, the rear seat sends heavy reminders that this is a coupe, not a sedan. You might even think of it as a four-seat 350Z.