Infiniti M to do battle with 5 Series and E Class

ore information has been released about the Infiniti M, set to launch in the UK from September 2010, as it looks to square up to the likes of the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF and Mercedes Benz E-Class in the executive saloon class.

First impressions of the car are very impressive – with its distinctive and classy aesthetics – the car is a departure from the normal executive saloon. To the benefit of both performance and efficiency, the M is excellent at slicing through the air. Its drag coefficient is only 0.27 and the body has been designed for zero lift at the front and rear for increased high speed stability. As with other Infiniti models, the M is equipped with lightweight aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid (as well as an all-alloy V6 engine).

The M37 is powered by the 3.7-litre VVEL V6 petrol engine also used in other Infiniti models. All alloy and of tried and trusted motor racing-style ladder-frame construction. The engine develops 320 PS (316 bhp) and 360 Nm (266 lb ft) of torque. Standard on every M is Infiniti’s seven-speed Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) automatic transmission – complete with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Drive Sport (DS) mode for full manual control via the available solid magnesium shift paddles behind the steering wheel. Performance data is yet to be confirmed. Also available with a V6 diesel powerplant, details of this engine will be revealed nearer the launch.

Infiniti are hoping to differentiate themselves from the crowd by offering an impressive array of new technologies on the car, these include:

• Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) – the car using radar can detach a car in another lane and can warn or even begin to move the car back into its original lane should the car start to move into the problem area.
• Active Noise Control (ANC) – this promises to be a very clever piece of kit. The system can identify unwanted sounds within the cabin and dampen them by playing sound waves through the speakers of the opposite frequency – helping to cancel out the noise. The system is aimed at reducing undesirable low-frequency engine sounds only. M models with the 16-speaker Bose Studio Surround sound system are equipped with Bose Engine Harmonic Cancellation (EHC) which is even more effective at controlling unwanted noises.
• Infiniti Drive – four driver-selectable modes available via a switch positioned behind the gear lever: Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow settings.
• Forest Air – is promising to be a high performance climate control system which also introduces subtle hints of the forest to promote alertness!

2010 promises to be a big year in the executive saloon market with an all new BMW 5 Series also entering the market.