Infiniti succeeds in difficult class
In the midsize luxury sport-sedan class, competence is the price of playing.
It’s a starting point, not a talking point.
Consider the prime competitors — the BMW 5 Series, the Lexus GS, the Acura RL, the Audi A6 and this week’s tester, the Infiniti M.
A real kid-in-a-candy-store set of choices.
Three — the 5, LS and M — are rear-drivers, with available AWD. The RL is AWD only and the Audi is a front-driver, except when ordered with Audi’s quattro AWD system.
With the exception of the RL, which offers only a six, all are available with either a six- or eight-cylinder power plant.
There’s not a bad one in the bunch.
New Life for the M
Until last year, Infiniti’s M was an also-ran. But then a stem-to-stern makeover righted its fortunes. One key to its newfound respectability is a pair of first-rate engines, a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 275 horsepower and a 325-hp, 4.5-liter V-8.
There is also a new chassis that locates the engine behind the front axle for superior weight balance. An independent double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear set-up are calibrated to keep the M flat in the curves.
A Sport model tweaks that calibration and adds 19-inch wheels and four-wheel active steering.
Modest ‘07 updates — standard 10-way power for the passenger’s seat, a compass and a HomeLink remote transmitter — keep the momentum rolling.
The M series is available in six-cylinder (M35) and eight-cylinder (M45) versions, and in Luxury and Sport trims. AWD is available only on M35 models. M35 prices start at $42,165, including destination; M45 at $49,815.
Standard equipment includes leather, one-touch up-and-down front and rear windows, dual-zone automatic climate control, wood trim, auto-dimming mirror, heated outside mirrors and an in-dash, six-CD changer with MP3 capabilities. A full complement of safety gear comes along for the ride.
We tested the M35 AWD. With nearly $10,000 worth of options, it topped out at $54,900.
Faceless No Longer
The ‘06 update included a redesign that emphasizes the M’s sporting character. Both interior and exterior design rely on graceful curves and a pleasing absence of ornamentation. Tasteful dollops of chrome splash things up a bit.
By locating the wheels as close to the corners as possible, Infiniti created one of the roomiest cabins in the segment. Its 44 inches of front legroom is well above average, as is the 38 inches in back. The old-school tunnel hump, a byproduct of the rear-drive layout, limits seating capacity to four.
Terrific seats — appropriately firm and well-bolstered, tilt-and-telescoping steering, a passel of well-placed storage cubbies and the sensuously shaped dash make this one of the most attractive interiors in the class.
Still, even equipped with standard leather and Brazilian Rosewood trim (real aluminum adorns Sport models), Infiniti has some catching up to do in terms of materials quality; it’s not gross, just inconsistent. First-cabin trim mixes it up with plastics that are in some cases not up to class standards.
A set of rectangular white-plastic buttons enhances the utility of the control panel, but is somewhat graceless in appearance.
Little stuff, really, but in a class where Audi sets the standard, Infiniti needs to step it up.
When it comes to tech, the M gives up nothing to the competition. The optional voice-activated navigation system includes a mesmerizing (probably not the best thing while driving) 3-D “birds-eye view” map. A back-up camera shows the path the car will take given the turning angle of the front wheels. An available lane-change warning system alerts the driver when the M drifts across a centerline or shoulder marker.
If it bothers you, you can turn it off.
The Pudding’s Proof
Originally, Infiniti positioned itself as a performance alternative to Lexus’ luxury. The strategy foundered and the company struggled for footing. Recently revived, it now aims a dynamic and stylish lineup at enthusiasts.
The M35 is a ball to drive. At 4,043 pounds, the AWD version is the heaviest of the bunch but the six is strong enough to propel it from zero to 60 mph in just under 7 seconds.
The gearbox is serenely smooth and swift in both directions. The manual mode gives the driver the extra control that makes carving the curves so much fun. And the automatic rev-matching function is more than a parlor trick — the ability to match engine and transmission speeds during downshifts elevates the automatic experience from prosaic to dynamic.
Although it’s outstanding by ordinary standards, steering feel and precision falls short of class best.
We haven’t driven it, but some observers have faulted the Sport suspension harshness in urban conditions. Our tester combined exceptional road manners with excellent performance capabilities. Neither broken pavement nor pitted gravel roads upset its composure.
Breeding a first-rate luxury sport-sedan category is no small task, but Infiniti’s M succeeds in a crowded and field where competence is a byproduct, not an end in itself. Buyers in this category are well advised to sample Infiniti’s brand of candy before making a choice.