It seems almost comical that the Infiniti folks would place a few strips of electrician's tape over the badge to serve as a disguise on this pre-production test car, which clearly is the 2011 M56 sedan. Nevertheless, we're delighted that our spy photographer stumbled across this Infiniti, a large and luxurious sedan with a handsome new look that may help it recapture some of the buzz that surrounded the Q45 back in the early 1990s.
As the name suggests, the M is powered by a 5.6-liter V-8, a version of the aluminum-block powerplant found in the QX56 and Nissan Armada. In those large sport-utility vehicles, the 4-cam 32-valve engine puts out more than 300 bhp. In the M, however, it's believed to be putting out closer to 400 bhp, so the car will undoubtedly be very quick. When it goes on sale in the spring of 2010, the new M will also be available with the 3.7-liter V-6 from the G37, an engine that produces more than 300 bhp but doesn't have the oh-so-important torque of the V-8. This will undoubtedly provide the M56 with a relaxed, dignified feel. European Ms will be available with a high-performance diesel powerplant, but chances are slim that we will ever hear that engine running in a U.S. market M.
As the flagship Infiniti sedan, the new M sedan will be loaded with cool technologies, such as a blind-spot monitoring system and advanced climate control. The blind-spot monitoring system helps alert the driver to other vehicles in the adjacent lane, and then actively assists the driver in returning the vehicle back into the original lane of travel. We haven't driven an Infiniti with this system yet, but we have our reservations...yes, it's a safety enhancement, but it is taking a bit of control away from the driver.
2004 SG Model A PearlBlackObsidian (RIP) 2008 SG Model D BlueRallyWorld
"When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story." -Barney Stinson
"Nothing shuts my pie-hole but pie." -Shawn Spencer
zaxrex wrote:Keep the lane assist crap and give me the diesel!
^ zillion! After coming back from the land of diesels (Ireland), I want one in the worst way!
Sabre (Julian) 92.5% Stock 04 STI
Good choice putting $4,000 rims on your 1990 Honda Civic. That's like Betty White going out and getting her tits done.
^ zillion! After coming back from the land of diesels (Ireland), I want one in the worst way!