2008 Infiniti M Receives Major Upgrades, Including First Available Production Lane Departure Prevention System
Just two years after its highly successful introduction, the Infiniti M receives
major upgrades for 2008 that include the first-ever availability of Infiniti's
intelligent ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system on the 4.5-liter V8-powered
M45. The new model, designated M45x, joins the M35x to provide buyers with two
choices in all-climate AWD performance.
Other enhancements for 2008 include revised interior and exterior styling and
added luxury amenities and technologies, including the production debut of
Infiniti's newest safety technology, the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system.
The exterior enhancements for 2008 include revised front and rear fascia,
grille, rear fender panels, rear decklid and taillight design, new chrome
accents and new 18-inch and 19-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels.
Inside, the new 2008 Infiniti M includes an upgraded Infiniti Hard Drive
Navigation System with touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital
music storage and playback and available XM NavTraffic (requires active XM
subscription, sold separately), as well as new white instrument panel lighting
with violet accents and white and violet interior lighting, standard XM
Satellite Radio (requires XM subscription, sold separately) and a revised Stone
colored interior.
Also for 2008, the previous M35 and M45 Sport models have been replaced by an
available Sport Package, which includes significant visual differentiation from
non-Sport Package models including unique exterior and interior styling, Rear
Active Steer (RAS) and 19-inch sport wheels and tires.
In addition to the advanced navigation system, other available M technology
includes Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, an Infiniti Information Display
with 7-inch LCD screen and easy-to-use controls, Infiniti voice recognition and
RearView Monitor.
The Infiniti M is an expression of power, refinement, technology and design
all the things that make Infiniti owners hearts pound, said Mark Igo, vice
president and general manager, Infiniti. The M captures the soul of the
Infiniti brand, expressing it in invigorating, forward thinking ways.
Refined Exterior and Interior Designs For 2008
From a design standpoint, the Infiniti M optimizes both luxury and sport
styling to create a dynamic visual appeal. The revised exterior styling for
2008 includes a new front grille and bumpers, lower air intake, fog lamps and
side sills. In the rear, the new M features revised fenders, taillights, deck
lid and a new optional rear spoiler design. There are also new chrome bodyside
accents. Sport Packageequipped models have greater visual differentiation than
in previous years, including unique front and rear bumpers, headlight color and
side sills.
What hasnt changed is how the M's expressive grille and crystal-look
headlight clusters, which offer a luxurious appeal, while large 18- or 19-inch
wheels and low profile tires, stable posture with wide track, and short
overhangs contribute to the sportiness of the design.
The Infiniti M's long wheelbase and short overhangs provide a roomy interior
and sporty exterior dimensions. Wide front and rear tracks add to handling
stability, while the overall width enhances interior and trunk volume. Also
featured are lightweight body components, including aluminum-alloy inner and
outer door panels, hood and decklid panels.
The M's low, aggressive hood line, which flows into the anchored shoulders
and fluid roofline contribute to the sporty, powerful silhouette, said Igo.
There's a solid, muscular look to the design, fitting of its vibrant
performance, yet a refined, high quality feel worthy of an Infiniti flagship.
The M's interior design engages the senses in invigorating ways, combining a
driver-oriented cockpit with a graceful, Infiniti level of luxury and design
detail.
For 2008, the M features a new interior look with new Fine Vision
electroluminescent gauges, new gear-like rings on the instrument cluster
meters, a revised center console, new aluminum trim surface texturing, new wood
trim and door trim and a new full gray interior color. Sport Package-equipped
models receive unique steering wheel and shift knob stitching, unique front seat
designs and aluminum-trimmed pedals.
For 2008, the interior also offers an upgraded Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation
System with touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage
and playback and available XM NavTraffic (requires active XM subscription,
sold separately).
These changes enhance the M's modern, intuitive interior feel and layout,
which focuses on purposeful simplicity. Interior features include genuine
Rosewood or aluminum trim, leather-appointed seats, Fine Vision
electroluminescent gauges, climate controlled front seats, standard XM
Satellite Radio (requires active XM subscription, sold separately) and
available features such as heated power reclining rear seats and advanced Bose
Studio Surround sound system with digital 5.1-channel decoding and 14 speakers
including two personal speakers mounted in the shoulders of each front seat.
The interior also offers an array of driver and passenger-oriented technology
features, including the Infiniti Intelligent Key system with Push Button Start,
Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, RearView Monitor and Intelligent Cruise
Control.
Vibrant Performance with Available AWD and Rear Active Steer
When the Infiniti M went on sale as an all-new 2006 model it captured
essential elements of both a luxury performance sedan and an award-winning
sports sedan. Its performance is equally engaging in the V8-equipped M45 or
V6-equipped M35.
The M45 continues to offer a powerful DOHC 4.5-liter V8, shared with the
premium FX45. It is rated at 325 horsepower and 336 lb-ft of torque. The
engine design includes titanium valves, modular cylinder heads, microfinished
crankshaft, lightweight pistons and super-silent single stage cam drive chain to
help optimize performance. In addition, the VK45DE is outfitted with a variable
length air induction system and Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control
System (CVTCS) to enhance the engine's power delivery and operation efficiency.
The M35 utilizes an advanced DOHC 3.5-liter V6 rated at 275 horsepower and 268
lb-ft of torque. The V6 is part of the award-winning VQ engine series also
found in the G35 and FX35, and includes aluminum-alloy block and heads and
electronically controlled drive-by-wire throttle system. Both engines are
mated to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission with performance shifter and
manual shift mode with downshift rev matching.
Every Infiniti M utilizes an enhanced next-generation FM (Front Mid-ship)
platform also used on the G35 Sedan, G37 Coupe and FX premium crossover SUV.
The refined FM platform positions the engine behind the front axle. This
positioning results in an optimized front-to-rear weight balance, which factors
in weight transfer during key handling maneuvers.
The M suspension is an independent double-wishbone design in front and
multi-link independent system in the rear, along with front and rear stabilizer
bars.
The Infiniti M's large diameter wheels and tires are positioned out near the
corners of the vehicle, helping to further enhance handling and driving
excitement. For 2008, the M features new split 5-spoke 18-inch aluminum-alloy
wheels with titanium finish and new, unique split 5-spoke 19-inch aluminum-alloy
wheels for Sport Package-equipped models. Aggressive low-profile tires, sized
245/45VR18 and 245/40WR19 (Sport Package only), are standard.
The M also utilizes standard 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes with
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and
Brake Assist (BA). The steering system is an electronically controlled
vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion design. Every Infiniti M
also features Infiniti's advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction
Control System (TCS). VDC adjusts brake pressure and engine torque
automatically in understeer, oversteer or slippery road surface situations,
helping the driver keep the intended path.
For drivers seeking the enhanced all-climate performance of all-wheel drive, the
M35x and M45x models feature the ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction
Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system also
utilized on FX45 and FX35 AWD. It uses an advanced torque split control strategy
that automatically transfers optimum torque to the wheels according to road and
driving conditions.
The ATTESA E-TS system provides sports car-like handling and cornering
capability due to optimum torque distribution between the front and rear wheels
(50:50 up to 0:100). ATTESA E-TS also provides high starting traction
performance and smooth, stable acceleration, especially in snow-covered or
off-road situations with a 50:50 torque split at standing start. Combined with
the vehicle's VDC system, each wheel receives the appropriate amount of torque
when needed.
We're proud to add the new M45x AWD model to the M lineup for 2008, said Igo.
It's ideal for areas of the country that experience inclimate weather
conditions, as well as for drivers seeking the added handling and control
benefits of all-wheel drive.
The handling and stability of the Infiniti M Sport models is further optimized
by Infiniti's Rear Active Steer system. Unlike passive rear steering systems,
this design features precise, electronic motor-driven control. This system
helps improve the M Sport's handling performance by adjusting the geometry of
the rear suspension according to steering input and vehicle speed.
The system's electronic control unit calculates the desired vehicle dynamics
from a series of sensors, including vehicle speed and steering angle, and
directs the system actuator to change rear geometry by moving both rear
suspension lower links. The result is sports car-like agility, combined with
luxury sedan stability and ride quality.
New Lane Departure Prevention System
Another major advancement for the 2008 Infiniti M is the availability of the
advanced Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system. The LDP system makes its
worldwide production debut on the 2008 M and the upcoming 2008 Infiniti EX35
luxury crossover SUV.
LDP takes Infiniti's existing Lane Departure Warning system (currently
implemented on the FX and previously on the 2007 M) one step further by
utilizing the Vehicle Dynamic Control to apply slight brake pressure to the
wheels opposite the side of the lane departure direction to help prevent the M
from inadvertently traveling out of its intended lane.
Like Lane Departure Warning, the LDP system uses a small camera installed behind
the windshield to detect lane markers in front of the vehicle and calculate its
position relative to lane markers and warn the driver of lane drift (pending
lane change without use of the turn signal) with a visual display and audible
buzzer. If the driver does not return the vehicle in the direction of the
center of the travel lane, the LDP system assists the driver by using gentle
control (generating part of the necessary yaw movement), using the VDC's brake
actuator to control the brake pressure of each individual wheel to generate the
intended movement.
"Infiniti extends it leadership position in offering the first Lane Departure
Prevention system for production vehicles with the new M and the new Infiniti
EX35," said Igo. More than 55 percent of fatal auto accidents in the United
States are caused by lane departures, including single vehicle and head-on
accidents. With the LDP system, Infiniti continues to advance vehicle safety
technology."
Other safety features include an Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage
front supplemental air bags with Occupant Classification System and roof-mounted
side-impact curtain air bags, 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's seat ELR
only), front seat belt adjustable upper anchors with pretensioners and load
limiters, front seat Active Head Restraints and available brake operated front
pre-crash seat belts, which tighten under emergency braking in anticipation of
an evasive maneuver or crash.
Every 2008 M also includes Zone Body construction with energy-dispersing side
structure, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) child seat anchorage
system and Zone Body platform design with front and rear crumple zones.
Four Fully Equipped Models
For 2008, the Infiniti M is offered in four models: the M35 (V6 rear-wheel
drive), M35x AWD (V6 all-wheel drive), M45 (V8 rear-wheel drive) and M45x (V8
all-wheel drive). The M35 and M45 are also offered with a comprehensive Sport
Package with Rear Active Steer, unique suspension tuning, 19-inch wheels and
tires, sport-bolstered and trimmed front seats, sport steering wheel, aluminum
pedal accents and unique body styling.
Other option packages include the Technology Package, Advanced Technology
Package, Premium Package, Wood Interior Trim (standard on RWD and AWD models,
optional with Sport Package models), Xenon/AFS (M35x only, HID xenon headlights
with Adaptive Front Lighting System are standard on all other M models) and
Infiniti Mobile Entertainment Package.
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