Infiniti M

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Infiniti M

Manufacturer:	Nissan, Renault
Production:	2003–present
Predecessor:	Infiniti I
Class:	Mid-size luxury car / Executive car (UK)
Body style:	4-door sedan
Platform:	FR FM
Related:	Infiniti FX Infiniti G35 Nissan 350Z
Similar:	BMW 5 Series Lexus GS Mercedes-Benz E-Class

First generation

Also called:	Nissan Gloria Nissan Cedric
Production:	2003–2005
Engine:	4.5L 340 hp V8
Transmission:	5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Wheelbase:	110.20 in.
Length:	197.20 in.
Width:	69.70 in.
Height:	57.60 in.
Fuel capacity:	21.1 gal.

Second generation

Also called:	Nissan Fuga Infiniti M45 Infiniti M35
Production:	2006–present
Engine:	3.5L 280 hp V6 4.5L 335 hp V8
Transmission:	5-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Wheelbase:	114.20 in.
Length:	192.60 in.
Width:	70.80 in.
Height:	59.40 in.
Fuel capacity:	20 gal.

The M30, M45, and M35 are luxury cars from Nissan's Infiniti marque.

1 1990
2 2003
3 2006
4 Other links

[edit] 1990

The original 1990 M30 was the middle offering of Nissan's Infiniti brand. It featured a 162 hp 3.0 L V6 shared, along with its rear wheel drive platform, with the 1987 Japanese Nissan Leopard. A convertible was added for 1991, and the M30 was replaced after 1992 by the more visually provocative Infiniti J30. Infiniti bailed out of the sports car business until the release of the Infiniti G35 coupe in 2003.

[edit] 2003

The 2003 M45 was based on the Y34-series Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric, with styling similar to the Gloria. The engine is Nissan's 340 hp VK45DE V8 which produces 333 ft.lbf of torque. The rather Japanese squared-off styling did not make much of a splash on the US market, and the M45 sold poorly.

[edit] 2006

Infiniti released a completely redesigned M for the 2006 model year to compete directly in the mid-size sport luxury class, against such class stalwarts as the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It uses a much more rigid version of the G35/350Z/FX Nissan FM platform and is available with the common VQ-series 280 hp (208 kW) 3.5 L V6 in the M35, or the Q45's 335 hp (249 kW) 4.5 L V8 in the M45. In Japan the M is known as the Fuga.

The automotive press has awarded the M several best-in-class awards in direct comparisons against its competitors. Despite entering a very crowded, competitive segment in which almost every member has been recently redesigned, the M still managed to find many key distinctions: Both the M35 and M45 are fastest in their class (0-60 in 6.3 and 5.4 seconds, respectively). The M is near or at the top of every interior dimension, actually breaking into the EPA "large" category depending on which option packages are selected. In fact, while being smaller on the outside than the flagship Q45, the M45 boasts more room, greater performance, a superior multilink front suspension, and much friendlier ergonomics, threatening the position of the flagship Q45.

All-wheel-drive models are called the M35x, which uses a sports car derived system (ATTESA-ETS) to send all power to the rear wheels until slip is detected.

The M line was released in February 2005 (at almost exactly the same time as the new 2006 Lexus GS) and its first several months of sales have been far beyond expectations. Prices in the US (USD) range from approximately 40,000 - 55,000.

[edit] Other links

M35 Owners' Resource
M Bulletins and Recalls Information
Official American site
Official Canadian site
2nd Gen Gallery - FamilyCar.com, M35x photos also available.

Infiniti — a marque of Nissan Motors — road car timeline, 1990s-present - [edit]
Type	1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Compact		G20								G20				G35				G35
Mid-size							I30				I30 / I35						M35
	M30			J30										M45			M45
Full-size	Q45							Q45					Q45
Crossover														FX35 / FX45
SUV								QX4							QX56