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The 2011 Infiniti M Comes Back From the Future
Luxury sedan is so packed with incredible technology and avant-garde design that it almost feels like a time machine should be standard equipment.
A truly successful automotive design begins the seduction process long before a potential buyer ever cracks open the driver’s door. From those first few fleeting glimpses in a television commercial to the glossy images printed in a car magazine, all the way up to that walk toward the vehicle parked in the dealer showroom, any luxury vehicle worth its salt will have already laid claim to the heart and soul of an enthusiast prior to the ignition key being turned. This very same hypnotic quality exudes from every panel of the 2011 Infiniti M.
The 2011 Infiniti M is the next generation flagship luxury sedan from the same automaker that has shaken up the entire industry with its cutting edge styling. Every inch of the M has been designed to throw gasoline onto the flames of the passions of those drivers who require a vehicle that stimulates both the eye and the soul.
In comparison to the previous versions of the Infiniti M, the 2011 model makes a very powerful statement both coming and going. Its large grille and prominent Infiniti crest lead back to an arched hood that almost matches the vehicle’s roofline in terms of angle. Massive front fenders rise like vestigial horns and house angular headlights that project a sense of foreboding when they appear in the rearview mirrors of those driving lesser automobiles. The rear of the M is equally satisfying with an integrated spoiler built into the lip of the vehicle’s trunklid, and large taillights that swoop across from the vehicle’s flanks to slice into the trunk.
Infiniti has of course gone far beyond updating the 2011 M’s looks – they have also unleashed a veritable army of engineers on the vehicle’s drivetrain and chassis, and the result is two brand-new engines and a uniquely thrilling driving experience. Heading the charge is a 3.7-liter V6 that screams up to 7,000 rpm and produces 330 hp and 270 lb/ft of torque. Found in the M37, this unit is available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive trims with the latter converting the luxury sedan into an even more capable multi-climate chariot. The top of the line M56 bolts two additional cylinders onto the M’s powerplant and punches displacement out to 5.6 liters to generate 420 hp and 417 lb/ft of torque. Variable Valve Event and Lift technology and direct injection allow this engine to trump the previously available Infiniti M V8 by almost 100 hp.
The M56 shares the same rear-wheel/all-wheel drive options as the M37, and each version of the sedan also makes use of a seven-speed automatic transmission with full manual shifting capabilities. Rear-wheel drive editions of either vehicle can be further equipped with 4-Wheel Active Steer. Otherwise known as 4WAS, this advanced system can enhance the steering response of the Infiniti M by actually involving the rear set of wheels under certain circumstances. In combination with the larger brakes and wheels that come with 4WAS through the M’s Sport Package, this feature transforms the sedan from premium performance cruiser into a legitimate track contender. Infiniti also offers Active Trace Control on the M, which uses the braking system to individually interact with each wheel through a turn for the ultimate in control.
Other technologies and brand new features round out the impressive Infiniti M package. The vehicle’s engine control system makes available four modes of throttle mapping through something called Infiniti Driver while Eco Pedal offers feedback that can help owners develop greener habits behind the wheel. From a safety perspective, not only does the M warn drivers of vehicles hiding in their blind spots, it can even prevent a collision by actively turning the wheel thanks to its Blind Spot Intervention system. Finally, inside the sedan, passengers will be treated to the purest possible air quality with the implementation of Infiniti’s Forest Air filtering system, which simulates a natural breeze and prevents the dryness and stuffiness associated with older heating and cooling designs.
The 2011 Infiniti M does more than just impress with its advanced engine choices, incredibly engaging exterior design and wholesale implementation of the latest and greatest technologies – it also hints at how far into the future Infiniti designers and engineers are willing to reach in order to bring the ultimate motoring experience to legions of dedicated Infiniti drivers.
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