| Year
(of specifications) |
2011 |
| Engine |
3.7
litre V6, 5.6 litre V8, and diesel V6 options |
| Transmission |
7
speed automatic RWD |
| Max
speed |
- |
| 0-60 |
- |
| Horsepower |
316
hp (3.7 litre V6) |
| weight |
- |
The third generation Infiniti M was revealed at the 2009 Pebble
Beach Concours d'Elegance in California. Designed to enter service
as a 2011 model the new M model is the first to be sold across
all of Infiniti's 32 markets around the world, including Western
Europe.
The 2011 Infiniti M will be available with V8 and V6 engines.
The models will be designated the Infiniti M56 and Infiniti
M37 respectively, reflecting their more powerful, larger displacement
engines. The M56 V8 is expected to offer more than 400 horsepower.
For Western Europe, the M56 will be replaced by a V6 performance
diesel. Despite improved performance from the new engine lineup,
fuel consumption will be reduced.
The 2011 Infiniti M also features a completely redesigned body,
which easily matches the competion for style. The curvaceous
lines even have a touch of Italian glamour about them. This
new Infiniti design language follows the example laid out by
the Infiniti Essence concept car.
As expected, the interior of the 2011 Infiniti M features luxurious
components including; innovative materials, an advanced climate
control system, and a quality audio system. The vehicle is also
equipped with a blind spot intervention system. This industry-first
system is designed to help alert the driver if another vehicle
is detected in an adjacent lane during an intended lane change,
and then help assist the driver in returning the vehicle toward
the center of the original lane of travel.
Similar and related vehicles:
Infiniti Essence
Infiniti Coupe Concept 
2011 Infiniti M press release:
Featuring industry-first features, advanced Safety Shield technology
and displaying Infiniti’s unswerving commitment to passionate
design and a rewarding drive, Infiniti’s latest example of Inspired
Performance will be the first M to be available in all of Infiniti’s
34 world markets – including Western Europe.
A more exclusive alternative to the traditional stalwarts of
the executive class, such as the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-Class,
the M Line goes on sale in European showrooms from September
2010 with petrol and diesel V6 power options, while an innovative
petrol-electric hybrid is due to join the range in Europe in
2011. All will have a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The M Line takes Infiniti’s saloon range in Europe – which also
includes the G37 – to a higher new level, inside, outside and
on the road, too. The Infiniti M combines rear-wheel drive poise
with impeccable luxury credentials in a 4945mm-long saloon with
space to spare inside the best designed and finished cabin that
Infiniti has ever offered. As flagship saloon for the brand,
the M Line also revels in the uniqueness that is Infiniti, from
the flowing lines of the Essence concept car-inspired profile
and the integrity of the natural materials used, to the pledge
of an utterly hassle-free ownership experience.
The new, third-generation M Line has been able to call on key
Infiniti strengths in order to satisfy more demanding European
drivers. These include lightweight aluminium componentry, adaptive
technology, race-bred engine design, sophisticated chassis design
with almost perfect weight distribution and proven double-wishbone
suspension with the availability in some models of Infiniti’s
sports handling technology, 4-Wheel Active Steering (4WAS).
It debuts many new features such as Blind Spot Intervention,
Infiniti Drive with Eco mode, Active Noise Control and the Forest
Air climate system which are explained in more detail in the
next section. To the benefit of looks, ride and cabin room,
the M also has one of the longest wheelbases in the class. Finally,
its body is one of the most aerodynamic on the road, too.
The new Infiniti M has its first outing – in the metal – at
an unveiling in Beverly Hills, California, yesterday (December
1) prior to US sales commencing in the spring. An earlier debut,
in August this year, was as a “virtual” car created in 3D by
video mapping – presaging a trend for “firsts” that the new
M Line is well placed to expand upon.
Technology highlights being introduced to European buyers by
the Infiniti M in more detail:
Blind Sport Intervention (BSI)
The latest in a list of world-first safety features from Infiniti,
BSI takes blind-spot technology to another level by introducing
an element of side collision protection. As well as giving the
driver both visual and audible warnings of another vehicle in
the blind-spot area which is detected by using radar, BSI intervenes
if the driver ignores the warnings and attempts to steer into
the other vehicle’s path. The intervention is in the form of
a directional adjustment, executed automatically. This is achieved
by selective braking on one side of the car to create a “yaw”
effect that eases the vehicle back into its original lane.
Active Noise Control (ANC)
By identifying undesirable sounds in the cabin and then playing
back through the speakers sound waves of opposite phase, the
original noises are cancelled out, making the M’s interior a
quieter, more restful place to be. The system is aimed at reducing
undesirable low-frequency engine sounds only. M models with
the 16-speaker Bose® Studio Surround® sound system are equipped
with Bose Engine Harmonic Cancellation (EHC) which is even more
effective at controlling unwanted noises.
Infiniti Drive
The M’s throttle sensitivity and transmission mapping are fine
tuned according to which of four driver-selectable modes is
engaged via a switch positioned behind the gear lever: Standard,
Eco, Sport and Snow. The Eco mode utilises green and yellow
lights on the instrument panel to provide feedback on fuel efficiency.
Eco mode also introduces a new Infiniti concept known as the
Eco Pedal. If driving too aggressively, the driver will feel
the accelerator pedal “push back” to indicate fuel is being
wasted. Sport mode changes the automatic shift points and enhances
throttle response for increased performance. It will also adjust
the 4WAS for a nimbler feel and raise the ESP intervention level.
Forest Air
Infiniti believes the quality of the air within a car’s cabin
has a direct bearing on the well-being of driver and passengers.
Which is why it developed Forest Air, Infiniti’s most advanced
climate control system that makes its debut in the M Line (depending
on model). The system offers unrivalled temperature, humidity
and pollution control while re-creating the gentle breezes and
subtle scents of an environment known to promote alertness and
relieve stress: the forest.
ESP with Dynamic Cornering Enhancement
The M Line benefits from Infiniti’s latest electronic stability
program which optimises control of braking and engine torque
on individual wheels to achieve smoother and more stable cornering.
The system can apply selective braking to help create increased
steering response when rapid changes of direction are required,
such as in S bends or fast lane-change manoeuvres.
Safety Shield
For the 2011-model year M Line, Infiniti’s 360-degree “bubble
of protection” around the car known as the Safety Shield becomes
more complete than ever. New features such as Blind Spot Intervention
and Dynamic Cornering Enhancement are fully integrated into
existing Safety Shield technology such as Intelligent Cruise
Control (full speed range), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and
Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Distance Control Assist (DCA),
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning
(FCW) and Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts.
INFINITI M LINE IN DETAIL
The body
The M’s design is signature Infiniti, its subtle curves and
complex surfacing endowing it with an emotional draw that goes
beyond the colder, more austere class norm. Its deeply sculpted
door surfaces and front bumper section add distinction and a
sense of both aggression and intrigue. The body crease below
the glasshouse is the clearest of many design cues picked up
from Essence, the stunning Infiniti concept car that made its
debut at the Geneva Auto Show early in 2009.
To the benefit of both performance and efficiency, the M is
adept at carving through the air. Its drag coefficient is a
mere 0.27 and the body has been designed for zero lift at the
front and rear for increased high speed stability. As with other
Infiniti models, the M is equipped with lightweight aluminium
doors, bonnet and boot lid (as well as an all-alloy V6 engine).
The M uses the advanced FM (Front Mid-ship) platform that positions
the engine behind the front axle resulting in an optimised front-to-rear
weight balance for naturally stable and rewarding handling.
Suspension is double-wishbone in front and multi-link at the
rear, along with front and rear anti-roll bars. The standard
wheel size is 18-inch. For the sportiest models, 20-inch wheels,
new double-piston shock absorbers, special suspension settings,
4-piston brakes and 4-Wheel Active Steering are all available.
The M37 is powered by the charismatic 3.7-litre VVEL V6 petrol
engine also used in other Infiniti models in Europe. All alloy
and of tried and trusted motor racing-style ladder-frame construction,
power and torque are unchanged, at 320 PS (316 bhp) and 360
Nm (266 lb ft) of torque. Standard on every M is Infiniti’s
seven-speed Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) automatic transmission
– complete with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Drive Sport
(DS) mode for full manual control via the available solid magnesium
shift paddles behind the steering wheel. Performance data is
yet to be confirmed.
A look inside
The new Infiniti M has an interior every bit as carefully crafted
as its exterior. The result of extensive research by engineers
and designers into every aspect of the cabin, from the shape
of the switches to the softness of the textures, the aim was
to create Infiniti’s best saloon car interior ever, with human
warmth and an outstanding level of luxury appointments. And
all with that most important of Infiniti traits: a clear focus
on the driver.
Mission accomplished then. The M cabin’s wow factor begins as
soon as a door is opened: there can be no missing the perception
of quality in everything that is seen, touched and felt – right
down to the smallest details. Combining vibrant, Japanese-influenced
design and luxury materials, it is an immediately alluring,
sensual place, as well as notably spacious. The M’s wheelbase,
at 2900mm, is longer than that of most competitors and this
shows inside where there is plenty of room for five adults.
Attention to detail inside takes many forms. Handcrafted wood
accents, for example, have been treated with a unique powdered
silver for a mirror-like finish that takes tradition into a
modern age. The standard leather is quilted, but for those who
want an even more sumptuous finish there’s the availability
of semi-aniline leather. Distinctively textured aluminium highlights
and, as standard, piano black trim make the cabin especially
inviting.
The signature Infiniti dashboard clock – always analogue – is
reinvented in rectangular form, an elegant touch at the centre
of the imposing new dashboard that blends luxury with technology
in seamless fashion. The new dashboard also demonstrates Infiniti’s
commitment to ergonomic excellence. The instrument panel features
“Fine Vision” electroluminescent gauges and logically grouped
controls for maximum ease of use. In addition, with the M Line,
Infiniti is introducing a bespoke new generation of switchgear.
Although prices, range structure and standard specifications
are yet to be confirmed for European markets, the M is expected
to follow in the tyre tracks of the G, EX and FX Lines in offering
exceptional levels of standard equipment. Available features
include climate control seats, bi-Xenon adaptive front lighting,
premium Bose sound system, 10-way power adjusted heated leather
front seats, heated steering wheel and the all-embracing Connectiviti+
multimedia platform with 8-inch VGA colour touch-screen display
for the hard disk drive navigation which includes – uniquely
– the Michelin Green Guide with information on hotels, restaurants,
places of interest and even scenic driving routes.
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