Almost there
The luxury car segment has one of the widest price ranges, second only to Supercars which can vary between $200,000 to close to $1,000,000. An entry level posh-mobile can retail for as little as $35,000 all the way up to two hundred grand. The most interesting and possibly the most hotly contested portion would be from the high $60,000 to the high $80,000. In the last 2 years, at least 6 heavy hitters have been introduced or completely redesigned. One of them is the entirely re-penned 2006 Infiniti M.
The M-series of cars began in 1990. Most people do not know of the existence of this model as sale numbers have been very low and the car itself, almost obscure and mysterious. In 2003, Infiniti created the M45, an evolution from the M30. It looked like nothing else except maybe like a Japanese interpretation of an American luxury muscle car. This M lasted only 2 years; 2003-04. There was no 2005 to speak of as the 2006 jumped on the scene in late spring of this year.
The base M35 Luxury retails for $54,800. The as tested top-drawer M45 Sport has a sticker price of $71,800.
Styling
The exterior design of the M is bold and assertive. Quite unlike the oddly
good-looking mish-mash of body parts of the old M45, the new M35s and M45s are purpose oriented in their demeanour. A quick glance at these cars will reveal many styling cues from the G35 and Q45. I can point out the head and taillights, the quarter panel lines and the horizontal grille. Whether it be the M35 with tiny 18" wheels or the M45 with the slightly larger 19" alloys, the M vehicles are sleek and racy. Its impressively low 0.28 coefficient of drag attest to the fact that the car looks like it can slice through air.
Infinitis are generally carefully assembled and this M45 is no different. Panel alignment is very good and gaps are kept to a minimum. Our test example was painted Millennium Bronze. Paint application was also above average.
The occupant quarters of the M45 are very inviting. Beautiful leather enshrouds comfortable and supportive seats in both rows; the best that I have ever experienced in a Nissan / Infiniti product. The remainder of the
materials, namely the different textures of plastic and the meshed aluminium, give off an impression of quality that is somewhat betrayed by their feel. Fit and finish is spotless and deserving of a car in this category. The steering wheel mounted controls must be pushed with very little pressure otherwise the horn will go off.
The Infiniti navigation system functions well as it should however, more input from the passenger or driver is required to surf through the menus than in an Acura. I wear polarized sunglasses and I began noticing a trend in the last few months where I cannot see the LCD screen whatsoever. I do not know why this occurs as I have not experienced this difficulty in other cars except for BMWs.
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The M-series of cars began in 1990. Most people do not know of the existence of this model as sale numbers have been very low and the car itself, almost obscure and mysterious. In 2003, Infiniti created the M45, an evolution from the M30. It looked like nothing else except maybe like a Japanese interpretation of an American luxury muscle car. This M lasted only 2 years; 2003-04. There was no 2005 to speak of as the 2006 jumped on the scene in late spring of this year.
The base M35 Luxury retails for $54,800. The as tested top-drawer M45 Sport has a sticker price of $71,800.
Styling
The exterior design of the M is bold and assertive. Quite unlike the oddly
 |
Infinitis are generally carefully assembled and this M45 is no different. Panel alignment is very good and gaps are kept to a minimum. Our test example was painted Millennium Bronze. Paint application was also above average.
The occupant quarters of the M45 are very inviting. Beautiful leather enshrouds comfortable and supportive seats in both rows; the best that I have ever experienced in a Nissan / Infiniti product. The remainder of the
 |
The Infiniti navigation system functions well as it should however, more input from the passenger or driver is required to surf through the menus than in an Acura. I wear polarized sunglasses and I began noticing a trend in the last few months where I cannot see the LCD screen whatsoever. I do not know why this occurs as I have not experienced this difficulty in other cars except for BMWs.