2006 Infiniti M35/M45: M45 sport Road & Track test

[Vintalage]

Amazing!!!

[Vintalage]

Now that's what i'm talking about. That is one mean front end. And look at that interior. Exellent job Nissan.

Beautiful. I love Nissan. My next car purchase will be a Nissan. Only company that still makes amazing cars.

[Mike3800]

Very nice.

Wonder what's under the hood.

[hotgt]

^^a big v8 if im not mistaken...i like it!!!

at first i thought the back end is was too much, but i like it more and more...the interior is amazing though, i love the contrasts in color...nice touch with the leather shift boot with the automatic..im not a huge fan of wood grain, so brushed aluminum looks more modern and sleek

one gripe...i was sittin in a G35 coupe at NAIAS...and the driver's power seat controls are in an awkward place...right side integrated into the seat...looks like they are in that same weird place in this car..

edit...i looked at the rear again...can you imagine that thing lowered with some fat 19x9.5 wheels and tires on there?? MAN that would look hot!

[badassgrandam99]

what's with the way overdone, Avalon inspired rear end though?? ...Nissan is making some cool cars (Murano, 350Z, G35 Coupe) ...but they have a few cars where the designs are just way too odd and overdone (Maxima...growing on me though, Quest, FX45)

[Vintalage]

The tails may be revised. This is a concept although it's probably 70 or 80% of what the production car will be. Remember the 300C concept? It's looks very similar to the production car but the tails are a little different.

[badassgrandam99]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

The tails may be revised. This is a concept although it's probably 70 or 80% of what the production car will be. Remember the 300C concept? It's looks very similar to the production car but the tails are a little different.

true... 300C was just as boxy and chunky looking as the new 300 though...

[VTECSiGAH8R]

Yeah they need to fix the rear, and I feel as if the roofline sweep too high up in the back like the Maxima. Otherwise, very nice.

[Vintalage]

At a Glance: Infiniti M45 Concept

The Infiniti M45 Concept vehicle, which made its world debut at the 2004 New York International Auto Show, not only gives a look at the next generation M45 sedan, but also the future design direction of Infiniti. The M45 Concept vehicle captures the essence of the current Infiniti M45 – including its sense of elegance, distinction and driving pleasure – while advancing its high levels of sensuous style, engaging technology and driving excitement.

The M45 Concept optimizes both luxury and sport styling to create a dynamic visual appeal. The exterior design features a low, aggressive hoodline, which flows into the anchored shoulders and contributes to the sporty, powerful silhouette. Inside, the interior is highly expressive, combining a driver-oriented ****pit with an Infiniti level of luxury and design detail.

At the heart of the M45 Concept is the high-performance power of the advanced 4.5-liter DOHC V8 currently used in the Infiniti Q45, M45 and FX45. For use in the M45 Concept, it produces 340 horsepower and is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with short-throw performance shifter and manual shift mode.

Advanced technology is abundant on the M45 Concept – starting with a new active rear control suspension system, which helps improve vehicle handling performance by adjusting the geometry of the rear according to steering input and vehicle speed. Also featured on the M45 Concept is a new Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, which warns the driver of a pending, unintended lane departure. The M45 Concept provides a blueprint for the upcoming 2006 Infiniti M45, which is scheduled for spring 2005.

Highlights of the M45 Concept include:

Body

Sporty, luxurious design

Expressive, jewel-like grille and crystal-look headlight cluster

Stable posture with long wheelbase (114.2 inches), wide tread and short overhangs

Low, aggressive hoodline and anchored shoulders provides a sporty, powerful silhouette

All-steel unibody with very high level of torsional rigidity

Engine and Driveline

32-valve 4.5-liter DOHC V8 producing 340 horsepower

Modular cylinder head design, lightweight pistons, titanium valves, continuously variable valve timing, variable length induction system

5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode

Enhanced, “next generation” FM (Front Mid-ship) platform

Suspension, Steering and Braking

Double-wishbone independent front suspension

Multi-link independent rear suspension with active rear control

Enhanced braking system with 4-wheel disc brakes, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)

Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)

Enhanced power-assisted steering system with sport ratio

19-inch wheels and high-performance tires

Interior Features

Inviting interior feel with use of etched aluminum and leather appointments

Large cabin space, able to fit five adult passengers comfortably

Leather-appointed, climate controlled seats

Contemporary instrument panel

Advanced “Solar Eclipse” instrument lighting system

Surround audio system with 14 speakers, 5.1-channel decoding with two personal speakers mounted in each front seat

Infiniti Intelligent Key system and push-button start system

Infiniti Navigation System with a new user interface with voice-activated destination entry

Bluetooth wireless connectivity

RearView monitor with a wide lens view

Intelligent Cruise Control

Safety and Security

Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system with cancel switch, which alerts driver of unintended lane departure

Zone Body platform design, with front and rear crumple zones

Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags and roof-mounted side-impact curtain air bags

Brake-operated pre-crash front seat belts

- www.nissannews.com

[Vintalage]

[Vintalage]

Ok, if I had the choice between the M45 and the Acura RL, i'd choose the M45 in a heartbeat. The interior is just superb looking. It's just more enticing and intriguing than the RL's. Also has a meaning front end. The RL wins on the rear end. But what makes the M45 better is that it has two engines and AWD. V8 and V6. Acura? V6 as always. I believe that is what contributed to the RL's poor sales. It should have the option of a V8.

You know, in some of those shots, the rear end isn't really that bad. It looks pretty good.

[VTECSiGAH8R]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

Ok, if I had the choice between the M45 and the Acura RL, i'd choose the M45 in a heartbeat. The interior is just superb looking. It's just more enticing and intriguing than the RL's. Also has a meaning front end. The RL wins on the rear end. But what makes the M45 better is that it has two engines and AWD. V8 and V6. Acura? V6 as always. I believe that is what contributed to the RL's poor sales. It should have the option of a V8.

Not just a v6, but an underperforming old tech v6 compared to what they have now. The current one is 225 hp from a 3.5 V6, when they have that same engine putting out 250 hp elsewhere, the 3.0 putting out 240-290 hp and the 3.2 putting out 270 hp. Yet it still mills along with it's 225 hp on their biggest luxury sedan. Same story with the next one if it will have a 100 hp electric motor and yet still only 300 hp overall.

id take this car over a 5 series...and possible an sts...mind you only 1 of the 3 are on the road...but yeah...

[GrandAmChick]

Oh, that's really nice! My uncle has an M45.. fun car to drive. That thing takes off as soon as u hit the gas. Not sure which engine he has tho? The speedo goes up to 160, n he has a single, dual outlet exhaust..

edit: I like these concept wheels a lot better too.. altho he has 18s (maybe 19s?), they're ugly n there's quite a gap for such a high end car..

[Vintalage]

Originally Posted by GrandAmChick

Oh, that's really nice! My uncle has an M45.. fun car to drive. That thing takes off as soon as u hit the gas. Not sure which engine he has tho? The speedo goes up to 160, n he has a single, dual outlet exhaust..

Your uncle hat 340hp V8. It's a RWD car.

[Mike3800]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

Ok, if I had the choice between the M45 and the Acura RL, i'd choose the M45 in a heartbeat.

As would I (note the "Datsun" avitar ), however, the RL looks 50x better from every angle inside and out. Probbably better quality as well even if it is underpowered for what it is.

[VTECSiGAH8R]

Originally Posted by Mike3800

As would I (note the "Datsun" avitar ), however, the RL looks 50x better from every angle inside and out. Probbably better quality as well even if it is underpowered for what it is.

True story.

[Vintalage]

Originally Posted by Mike3800

As would I (note the "Datsun" avitar ), however, the RL looks 50x better from every angle inside and out. Probbably better quality as well even if it is underpowered for what it is.

I don't know. I think the M has the better looking interior. Looks striking. The RL's is very nice, but it has a subtle appearance.

Anyone notice the two pods on the driver and passenger seats next to the headrests? Well those are "personal speakers." Part of the 14 speaker 5.1 surround sound system.

[Mike3800]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

I don't know. I think the M has the better looking interior. Looks striking. The RL's is very nice, but it has a subtle appearance.

Well for reference, the interior of the RL is perfect in my book at least for apperance, but perhaps not function.

Originally Posted by Vintalage

Anyone notice the two pods on the driver and passenger seats next to the headrests? Well those are "personal speakers." Part of the 14 speaker 5.1 surround sound system.

Incredible. I knew there was a reason why Datsun is becoming my favorite car company. Like I said I'd rahter have the Inifnity but for looks/style, the RL is a perfect 10 in my book.