2012 Infiniti M
Infiniti covers more bases with its
flagship M sedan line.
Prices: $47,700-$61,600
The 2012 Infiniti M flagship sedan is comparable to handsome, upscale
sports sedans from any country.
The “M” never sold as well as Nissan’s
upscale Infiniti division felt it should have. So the 2011 model was
blessed with superior styling, more-powerful engines, advanced safety
equipment and a more attractive interior. Sales quickly picked up.
Changes were so major for 2011 that there are few enhancements for
2012. They include a new 18-inch wheel package, combining the previous
M56 Sport and Sport Touring packages into a single Sport
package—and availability of the Graphite Interior for models
with the Deluxe Touring package.
The M comes with front-drive or an all-wheel-drive system. Carried over
from 2011 are the M37 model with a 3.7-liter, 330-horsepower V-6, which
is strong enough to satisfy most, and the really fast M56. It has a
5.6-liter V-8 kicking out a neck-snapping 420 horsepower that propels
the car from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds.. All-wheel-drive versions of the
M have an “x” designation.
New for 2012 is the M Hybrid (M35h) rear-drive hybrid model. It
develops 360 horsepower with a 3.5-liter V-6, electric motor and
battery pack, which work with a seven-speed automatic transmission. It
reportedly does 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds and can drive on electric power
alone at speeds up to 62 mph. It delivers an estimated 32 mpg on
highways.
The M35h highway economy figure handily beats the estimated 23 and 26
highway mpg figures for the V-8 and V-6, respectively. The
M35h delivers 27 mpg in the city, which also easily tops the 16 (M56)
and 18 (M37) city figures.
List prices for the the M lineup are $47,700 to $61,600, with the new
M35h at $53,700. The M is Infiniti’s flagship sedan, so
it’s packed with comfort, convenience and safety features.
I tested the $61,600 M56x with all-wheel drive. As with all M models,
it’s heavy, at approximately 4,000 pounds, and feels large.
But it’s nimble, and stability and traction control systems
can help out in a pinch.
Steering is nicely geared, with the right amount of assist. The ride is
firm, but compliant. The responsive seven-speed automatic transmission
in all models has an easy manual-shift feature, and braking is strong.
The solid, precisely built M is a fast, genuine grand touring (GT) car.
It’s handsome, but drivers should keep in mind potential
damage to its low front end, which helps allow very low aerodynamic
drag for a quieter interior and better fuel economy.
Doors have large outside handles for quick entry to the quiet,
decidedly upscale interior, and rearview mirrors fold against the front
window glass to avoid damage.
Gauges can be read at a glance, although a small digital
“mpg” gauge in the instrument cluster seems rather
odd. Controls are easy to use. There’s even ashtrays, which
are in few cars these days. However, I found it impossible to partially
stop the power front windows from racing down or up after
they were activated.
The M is roomy, both front and rear. Front seats provide good support,
and a large front arrmrest helps keep occupants comfortable. But front
door pockets don’t hold much. There are no rear door pockets,
but storage pockets are on the rear of the front seats. The hard center
of the back seat is best left to the fold-down large center armrest.
The trunk is large, but has a rather high opening, and rear seatbacks
don’t fold forward to enlarge the cargo area. Rather, the
rear seat in the regular M37 and M56 has a small center pass-through
area from the trunk.
The hood raises on struts to reveal a large plastic engine cover. Most
fluid areas are easily reached.
The new Infiniti M covers all three bases, with the addition of the
M35h, and promises to score higher.
