Teresa’s View
The Infiniti M45 isn’t new. It is, however, so dramatically improved that the 2006 entry erases all memory of earlier iterations. Sandwiched between the smaller G35 and larger Q45, the resurrected M45 gives Infiniti something it’s longed for – credibility in the hotly contested sport-luxury sedan category dominated by Mercedes, BMW and Audi.
Built on the same platform as the G35, the redesigned M45 is larger, more stylish and sportier than its little bro. Class-leading horsepower is provided by a 4.5-liter V-8 that allows this barnburner to run the 0-to-60 dash in a respectable 5.3 seconds.
Infiniti devised a clever way to accommodate the traditional tug-of-war between luxury and sport. They offer two versions of the M45 – one that ratchets up the sport and another that dials in the luxury.
Our tester, the M45 Sport, hugged the road in all the right places, thanks in part, to Rear Active Steer, a technological wonder that adjusts the angle of the rear wheels during cornering. Thanks to this system, the car enters corners confidently and exits with control. Looking smooth has never been so easy.
The M45 has unique styling coming and going. Heavy creases in the sheet metal impart an athletic look, while the taillights appear to have been modeled after a Gatling gun. For the first time, Infiniti significantly upgraded interior materials to salon-approved levels.
What Is It?: The all-new M45 is a 5-passenger, 4-door sport-luxury sedan from Infiniti. Offered in two versions – the Luxury or the Sport – the M45 sells for nearly $50K. A V-6 version, called the M35, is also available.
Gadget Rating: 9.8 out of 10 Even the Sport version of the M45 is heavy on the luxury. The front seats are heated and cooled. An auto-start button operates the car via a computer chip in the key fob. Push a button on the dash and off you go. The large track ball-type knob on the dash controls Gadget Central and is reasonably easy to use. It’s surrounded by inlaid switches that adjust essential functions, most of which can also be accessed through redundant controls on the steering wheel or by using the voice recognition system.
Phone Home: Up to five Bluetooth-enabled phones can be paired with the system. Sound for the hands-free phone is transferred through the premium audio system. Mom never sounded so good.
Loved It: I love the Advanced Rear View Monitor. Drivers are able to clearly view the area behind the car, but – bonus – by using the guide that adjusts based on the predicted course line of the vehicle, maneuvering into the tightest of parking spaces is Game-Boy fun.
Hated It: I hated the Lane Departure Warning System. It beeps every time the car exits the lane. Um, thanks?
Cheat Sheet: Infiniti is the luxury division of Nissan.