When we finally broke our winter weather spell a couple days after summer officially arrived, I surprisingly found myself outfitted in an Infiniti G37 convertible to welcome the reappearance of sunshine to the Northwest. This is not a normal happening in my life as usually when I get a convertible to drive, the weather takes a serious turn to cold, damp and overcast that eliminates the joy of taking a spin topless.

Joining the G37 coupe and sedan for the 2009 model year, the new 2010 Infiniti G convertible is the retractable hardtop addition to the Infiniti G lineup. The only notable addition to this year’s version is the optional navigation system, which was included in my vehicle.

The G convertible is offered in two trim levels: standard and Sport 6MT. Features in the standard version include heated eight-way power front seats, intelligent key, a seven-inch information screen with a rear view monitor, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, and leather seating with adjustable lumbar support for the driver.

An optional Sport package adds 19-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension and steering, sport seats, paddle shifters and interior and exterior styling accents. The Sport 6MT model includes all these features and a six-speed manual transmission.

Besides the Sport package, the G convertible that I drove included the premium option package, which I would definitely include because it includes the Bose Open Air 13-speaker sound system with iPod integration. This Bose system has been custom-engineered specifically for the G convertible and quite frankly makes stereo listening not only possible with the roof retracted, but enjoyable without subjecting your tunes to the world around you. The Bose Open Air sound system monitors ambient noise, vehicle speed and hardtop position. Then it dynamically adjusts the amplifier’s equalization to create clarity across all 13 speakers. Meanwhile audio Pilot 2.0 noise compensation technology helps reduce unwanted outside noise to preserve optimum listening conditions. Bose personal front seat speakers are integrated into the front seat headrests to create depth and ambience providing wider sound.

With the roof raised, the G convertible looks like the coupe version and when the power retractable hard top is lowered, the lines of the elegant coupe remain. Infiniti has done an outstanding job not to ruin the lines of this convertible, which often occurs when the hard top is folded into the trunk space. This has resulted in trunk space big enough for a laptop and small purse in the trunk when the roof is retracted. The three-piece power retractable hardtop is engineered to open and close in less than 30 seconds in an unconventional clam shell manner to minimize the bulk when folded, creating this slimmer more appealing exterior look.

All Gs come standard with Infiniti’s 3.7-liter Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) V6 engine. The standard G convertible powers the rear wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission with a rev-matching manual shift mode. EPA fuel economy estimates of 17mpg city/25 mpg highway are on par with the competition.

The Sport-equipped version offers a firmer ride due to a re-engineered rear suspension. I enjoyed the drive and did not feel the suspension was too bumpy for around town driving.

I would recommend trying the model without the Sport package if performance driving is not your bag.

The sporty cockpit of the G convertible is accented with Silk Obi aluminum, which creates warm flowing lines. A glare-free 7-inch information screen is mounted in the center of the dash. Controls and displays are all clear and easy to use. Rear seating can hold two average adults who will feel less confined – I am sure – with the top down.

The Infiniti G convertible truly offers the best of both worlds – an incredible topless driving experience for incredible Northwest weather and a fantastic hard top for the majority of Northwest weather.

Kirkland resident Sally Hanson is an automotive journalist and scholarship chairperson of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She and husband, Don, own Juanita Bay Pharmacy in Kirkland.