2010 Infiniti M Elevates the Mid-Luxury Sedan Class with Responsive Performance, Innovative Technology
There are certain "givens" in the competitive mid-size luxury
sedan class – quality, engineering, luxury accoutrements,
advanced electronics. Now in the fifth year of its
second-generation design, the Infiniti M sedan offers all the
expected, plus innovative technology and, most importantly, a
powerful, athletic presence designed to excite the senses.
"The Infiniti M is a mid-size premium sedan with an emphasis on
performance, user-focused technology and a wide selection of
engine, driveline and equipment choices designed to meet
customers’ needs, budgets and desires," said Ben Poore, vice
president, Infiniti Business Unit. "It offers an unexpectedly
spacious cabin wrapped in a sporty and luxurious exterior
design, along with the exhilarating driving experience expected
of every vehicle that bears the Infiniti badge."
The 2010 Infiniti M is offered in M35 and M45 models, each
available in rear-wheel drive or with Infiniti’s advanced
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. The Infiniti M45 and M45x
AWD feature a 325-horsepower 4.5-liter V8, while the M35 and
M35x AWD come equipped with a 303-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. A
special Sport Package (rear-wheel drive models only) adds a
higher level of sporty performance and style with an advanced
Rear Active Steer system, sport-tuned suspension 19-inch wheels
and tires and unique body treatments.
The 2010 M remains a showcase of Infiniti’s advanced technology,
including Intelligent Cruise Control and the Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems, an
advanced Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with
touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music
storage and playback and available XM NavTraffic® (XM®
subscription required, sold separately).
For 2010, the Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System Package is
now included as part of Premium Package (M45) instead of as a
stand-alone option, and all models feature revised exterior and
interior color selections and combinations.
A
Highly Refined M Design
From a design standpoint, the Infiniti M optimizes both luxury
and sport styling cues – with an expressive grille and
crystal-look headlight clusters, large aluminum-alloy wheels,
low profile tires, and stable, wide-track posture creating a
dynamic visual appeal. The M’s low, aggressive hood line flows
into the anchored shoulders and fluid roofline, contributing to
the sporty, powerful silhouette. Infiniti M models equipped with
the optional Sport Package also features unique front and rear
bumpers, headlight color, side sills and 19-inch wheels and
tires.
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. The M also features
lightweight body components, including aluminum-alloy inner and
outer door panels, hood and decklid panels.
Inside, the intuitive interior design engages the senses in
invigorating ways, combining a driver-oriented cockpit with a
graceful, Infiniti level of luxury and design detail. The M
instrument panel features "Fine Vision" electroluminescent
gauges, "gear-like" rings on the instrument cluster meters and
unique aluminum trim surface texturing. Other interior
highlights include a large center console, wood trim (except
Sport Package-equipped models), climate controlled front seats,
standard XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, 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
Three interior colors are offered – Graphite, Stone and Wheat.
Sport Package-equipped models receive unique steering wheel and
shift knob stitching, unique front seat designs and
aluminum-trimmed pedals.
The M interior also offers an Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation
System with touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive for digital
music storage and playback and available XM NavTraffic® with
Real Time Traffic Information (XM® subscription required, sold
separately). Other driver and passenger-oriented technology
features include standard Infiniti Intelligent Key system with
Push Button Start and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, along
with available RearView Monitor and Intelligent Cruise Control.
A
Choice of Powerplants
The 2010 Infiniti M is again offered in V8-equipped M45 or
V6-equipped M35 models. The M45 features a standard DOHC
4.5-liter V8 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 V8 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 M45 comes standard with an advanced 5-speed automatic
transmission with manual shift mode, Downshift Rev Matching and
a new Drive Sport (DS) mode, which provides better acceleration
feel and a more sporting driving experience.
The Infiniti M35 offers an advanced DOHC 3.5-liter V6 rated at
303 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The engine includes
aluminum-alloy block and heads and electronically controlled
"drive-by-wire" throttle system. Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg
City/25 mpg Highway (M35 RWD). Two transmissions are offered
with the V6 engine – a 5-speed automatic transmission with the
all-wheel drive M35x and a 7-speed automatic with the rear-wheel
drive M35. Both transmissions feature a manual shift mode,
Downshift Rev Matching and Drive Sport (DS) mode.
Every 2010 Infiniti M utilizes an enhanced next-generation FM
(Front Mid-ship) platform also used on the G37 Sedan, G37 Coupe,
EX35 and FX premium crossover SUV. The refined FM platform
positions the engine behind the front axle resulting in an
optimized front-to-rear weight balance, which factors in weight
transfer during driving 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 enhance handling. Double-split 5-spoke
18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and P245/45VR18 tires are standard
on all models. Unique split double-split 5-spoke 19-inch
aluminum-alloy wheels with titanium finish and aggressive
P245/40WR19 low-profile tires are available with the Sport
Package.
The M also utilizes standard 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc
brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake
force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The steering
system is an electronically controlled vehicle-speed-sensing
variable-assist power rack-and-pinion design. Every Infiniti M
includes Infiniti’s advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with
Traction Control System (TCS). VDC automatically adjusts brake
pressure and engine torque during certain situations where the
vehicle is at its handling limit, helping the driver keep the
intended path.
For drivers seeking the enhanced performance of all-wheel drive,
the M35x and M45x models feature Infiniti Intelligent All-Wheel
Drive (ATTESA E-TS™ system). It uses an advanced torque split
control strategy that automatically redistributes torque to the
wheels (0:100 up to 50:50 front to rear) according to road and
driving conditions.
The Infiniti M Sport Package-equipped models come equipped with
Infiniti’s Rear Active Steer system, which uses precise,
electronic motor-driven control to turn the rear wheels.
This system helps improve the M’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 the rear geometry by
moving both rear suspension lower links. The result is a nimble
steering response combined with luxury sedan stability and ride
quality.
Lane
Departure Prevention System
The 2010 Infiniti M is available with Infiniti’s Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems. LDP
utilizes the M’s Vehicle Dynamic Control system to apply slight
brake pressure to the wheels opposite the side of the lane
departure direction to help the driver return the vehicle back
toward the center of the travel lane.
The LDP system uses a small camera installed behind the
windshield to detect lane markers in front of the vehicle,
calculate its position relative to those lane markers and warn
the driver of a potential unintended lane departure 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 with a gentle application of
the brakes.
Other safety features include standard Infiniti Advanced Air Bag
System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with
seat belt and occupant classification sensors; standard front
seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags; and standard
roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front
and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.
The Infiniti M also offers standard 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts
(driver’s seat ELR only), front seat belt adjustable shoulder
height anchors with pretensioners and load limiters, front seat
Active Head Restraints with 4-way manual adjustments and
standard brake-operated front pre-crash front seat belts, which
tighten during emergency braking or handling maneuvers in
anticipation of a crash.
Every M also includes Zone Body construction with front and rear
crumple zones and LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren).
Four
Well-Equipped Models
The 2010 Infiniti M is offered in four well-equipped 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 5-split spoke wheels and tires, sport-bolstered and
trimmed front seats, sport steering wheel and shifter, aluminum
trim and pedal accents and unique body styling.
Available option packages include the Technology Package,
Advanced Technology Package, Premium Package and Sport Package.
|
Need A Repair Shop?
Find local automotive repair shops in your area.
|