Nissan Building Infiniti into Global Brand

Infiniti Readies New Concept and Production M for Detroit

Infiniti, Nissan's top-tier division, has been expanding its portfolio lately, with model year 2005 adding styling and power

Infiniti's new M35/45 rear-drive sport sedan will debut in production trim at the Detroit auto show this January. (Photo: Infiniti Canada)

updates to the G35 sedan and coupe, modifications to the Q45 design and an all-new model in its luxurious Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator fighting QX56 full-size SUV, while dropping its once popular I35 sedan.

During the previous couple of years the Japanese nameplate has totally revamped its product lineup, now considered to be among the most enticing available in the sport/luxury segment.

One such new model was the M45 sedan, based on Q45 architecture but slightly smaller in proportion. Despite offering an impressive value proposition, the M hasn't sold well, mostly because of its tough BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class competition. Infiniti hopes

Infiniti states the new model is "a true luxury sedan like no other, balanced between sportiness, luxury and roominess". (Photo: Infiniti Canada)

to do better when its new M35/45 debut in Detroit in January, a rear-drive sport sedan based on the chassis of the award-winning G35. This should translate into M35/45 driving dynamics that rival its Bavarian rival, in a similar way to how Infiniti's G35 gives BMW's 3-Series a serious run for its money.

For this reason Infiniti is bullish about the new model's appeal, with Mark Igo, vice president and general manager of Infiniti stating the new model is "a true luxury sedan like no other, balanced between sportiness, luxury and roominess." He adds the words, "masculine, aggressive and bold" to the list of superlatives, and without doubt he'll be getting few willing to oppose.