With bold new looks, exceptional quality and a host of advanced safety and passenger comfort technologies, the new Infiniti M is sure to grab the attention of more style-conscious South African buyers.
The elegant Infiniti Essence concept of 2009 marked an important part of the development of the new Infiniti M sedan, with interpretations of the concept’s design being implemented in the new luxury car. Poised as the most complete incarnation of the Infiniti brand’s passion for driving enjoyment, technology and craftsmanship, the new Infiniti M takes the brand’s undying pledge to driving involvement and soul-stirring looks to a new level.
Using aluminium construction to save weight, the new Infiniti M sedan features the classic sports layout of a front-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. The sculpted body also lends itself to aerodynamic enhancement, and the Infiniti M sedan boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.27, with zero lift. The design also makes the Infiniti M sedan one of the most spacious cars in its class, with generous rear passenger leg- and head room.
While the Infiniti M sedan shows Infiniti design DNA evolving, it also uses the cornerstones of the classic Infiniti “look” to a sporting effect. The front overhang is short, with the long bonnet meeting a pushed-back A-pillar. The fastback rear is more coupe than sedan, in defiance of the spacious rear passenger compartment. With such a classic sports sedan layout – engine between the front wheels; driver positioned at the vehicle’s mid-point – the Infiniti M sedan is a true Infiniti as well as a car with ideal weight distribution and a low centre of gravity.
With much of the Essence-style detailing based on traditional Japanese art and crafts, the 4945 mm-long four-door body brings a sense of intrigue to a shape that is notable for visually changing with the light.
The crafted interior features top-quality materials which give a sense of ultimate luxury and pure seduction. The finest natural materials, including semi-aniline leather, real wood and metal, have been used and meticulously scrutinised to appeal to all five senses.
Quality integrity with a naturally-welcoming warmth has been achieved thanks to extreme attention to detail – from the texture feel to the shape of the switches – resulting in the finest Infiniti sedan interior, ever. A sculpted cockpit feel means driver focus is stronger than ever. Seating design and adjustment, as well as the layout of controls, have been precisely calculated to ensure the driver is in control and feels relaxed at all times.
With such a gracefully sporty body, the Infiniti M sedan imparts sporty performance even when standing still. Appropriately then, two six-cylinder engines are available to ensure power with grace – as the Infiniti nameplate suggests.
Initially available only with a common rail turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 piezo-injection diesel engine, the new Infiniti M30d brings the power and torque of a V6 engine design, met by the fuel saving characteristics a diesel engine allows. Producing 175 kW of power at 3750 rpm and 550 Nm of torque at just 1750 rpm, the new Infiniti M30d offers exceptional performance and economy.
Sprinting from standstill, the new Infiniti M30d will reach 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds – a great performance credential met by an extra-urban cruising range of over 1300 km from the 80-litre fuel tank. Average fuel consumption on the combined cycle is just 7.5-litres per 100 km, and carbon emissions are impressively low at 199 g/km. Top speed is electronically governed at 250 km/h.
To follow later in 2012 is the new Infiniti M37, a petrol-powered derivative which matches the specifications and features of the M30d. Featuring a well-sorted 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine, the M37 enjoys enhanced performance and a true sports car personality. The engine produces 235 kW at 7000 rpm and 360 Nm at 5200 rpm, allowing for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of only 6.2 seconds (top speed is again limited to 250 km/h). Thanks largely to the M37 engine’s VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) cylinder heads, efficiency is kept at a reasonable level of 10.2-litres per 100 km on the combined average.
Both the new Infiniti M30d and forthcoming M37 sedans employ a silky-smooth seven-speed automatic transmission, with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and in the case of S models, solid magnesium shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel are fitted for a truly sporting drive.
Included as standard on all Infiniti M sedan models is a comprehensive list of safety equipment, which is in keeping with the brand’s reputation of providing uncompromising vehicles.
A total of six airbags are on offer, along with active front head rests and ISOFIX child seat mounting points. Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (ABS with EBD) and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) are also fitted. Furthermore, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, automatic headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and tilting side mirrors (when in reverse) are fitted.
Where applicable, the Dynamic Safety Shield (DSS) Package incorporates Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control with Low Speed Following, Distance Control Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention and Intelligent Brake Assist.
Developed in large part for drivers, the Infiniti M sedan range makes use of a classic front-engine, rear-drive configuration to offer a natural poise on the road and sporty handling dynamics. Lightweight componentry, a race-inspired “bed plate” engine design (on M37), a low down- and far back-mounted engine, near perfect weight distribution, sophisticated chassis engineering and proven double wishbone suspension ensure a dynamic drive.
For an even sportier experience, S and S Premium models feature 4WAS (4-Wheel Active Steer). An Infiniti Drive Mode Selector (with Normal, Eco, Sport and Snow settings) is also fitted as standard.
Thanks in part to the use of double-piston dampers, the Infiniti M30d S Premium and forthcoming M37 S Premium models are always responsive and unfailingly comfortable, delivering the enhanced stability essential for South Africa’s more demanding drivers. The sophisticated shock absorbers provide a flatter ride with less “head toss” for passengers, in league with a new multilink rear suspension.
In keeping with the Infiniti brand’s reputation for providing appealing vehicles without forcing the customer to spend an exorbitant amount of money for luxurious options, standard specification on the new Infiniti M sedan is comprehensive, with two trim levels available in the new range. The Premium package, available as an option on either model, represents good value for money with technologically advanced feature additions.
Standard specification in the new entry-level Infiniti M30d GT sedan includes 18-inch alloy wheels, auto-levelling bi-xenon headlamps with washers, AFS (a mechanical Adaptive Front-lighting System) and a follow-me-home function, LED tail lamps, front and rear fog lights, front and rear parking sensors coupled to a rear-view camera, a soft-closing powered boot lid, powered driver and front passenger seats with electric lumbar adjustment, premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats.
An electrically-adjustable steering column, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, keyless I-Key smart access with a memory function for the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, audio, side mirror and climate control settings (an expression of Infiniti hospitality), an electric glass sunroof, a full-colour eight-inch touch screen interface and a 2GB Hard Disk Drive Infiniti Music Box linked to a single CD/DVD front-loader (with MP3, WMA and DivX compatibility) and a USB/aux port, with six speakers featuring Active Noise Control to boot.
In a sportier vein, the new Infiniti M30d S sedan introduces four-wheel active steering (4WAS), which features on all of Infiniti’s sportiest cars, along with sports suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, opposed-calliper brakes and solid magnesium manual gear shift paddles. Sports seats feature on the inside, along with black lacquer trim and aluminium pedals. Darkened headlamp housings and a sportier front bumper set the Infiniti M30d S apart from the M30d GT variant, visually.
Upgrading either model to M30d GT Premium or M30d S Premium level, a host of extended safety features become available. The Dynamic Safety Shield (DSS) Package incorporates Blind Spot Intervention which is a world-first.
ForestAir® climate control (which includes Auto Recirculation, Breeze Mode, Plasmacluster air purifier, and a Grape Polyphenol Filter) and a 16-speaker Bose® surround sound system are also included at Premium level, which also sees the addition of a rear window blind and Connectiviti+, Infiniti’s acclaimed infotainment system which includes a 30GB Hard Disk Drive satellite navigation, a hi-resolution display and 3D graphics.
The forthcoming Infiniti M37, when specified at Premium level, also gains Infiniti’s EcoPedal technology, which assists in saving fuel by introducing resistance against needlessly heavy throttle inputs – another world first.
Connectiviti+ is Infiniti’s prized infotainment system, which encapsulates a multitude of media systems for an inspiring driving experience. Standard on all Premium grade Infiniti M sedans, a 30GB Hard Disk Drive satellite navigation system, which includes an eight-inch hi-resolution touch screen interface and 3D graphics, is mated to a 10GB Music Box for storage of up to 300 audio CDs. A USB port is available for iPod and flash drive integration, as well as an auxiliary port for other peripheral devices. Bluetooth audio streaming is also integrated into Connectiviti+, along with hands-free phone connectivity.
Dynamic Safety Shield package provides a “bubble of protection” around the car by deploying advanced anticipatory safety technology such as Blind Spot Intervention, Distance Control Assist and Lane Departure Prevention.
Blind Spot Intervention takes the art of blind spot monitoring to a new level in its ability to actively protect against side impacts with unseen vehicles, and is included at Premium level. Both audible and visual warnings are implemented by the system to warn the driver of a vehicle in the car’s blind spot, and should the driver still ignore these warnings, a yaw effect is created by selectively braking the wheels on one side of the car, easing the vehicle back into its original lane. Lane markings are detected by a camera, while radar is used to monitor surrounding vehicles.
Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Brake Assist and Intelligent Cruise Control are three safety systems offered by the Dynamic Safety Shield Pack, standard on Premium grades. The vehicle’s laser range finder is used to alert the driver of a possible frontal collision, via audible and visual warnings. The four disc brakes are also pre-pressurised in case an emergency stop ensues. Where the driver is unable to stop in time and a collision is unavoidable, Intelligent Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to reduce speed and minimise potential accident damage.
The Intelligent Cruise Control system uses radar to monitor the vehicle in front of the Infiniti M sedan, managing speed and following distance. Including Low Speed Following, the system remains active even in slow-moving traffic situations for a truly relaxed drive.
Lane Departure Warning and Prevention works in a similar fashion to Blind Spot Intervention, using a camera to detect unintentional lane departure. The same yaw effect, created by selectively braking the Infiniti M sedan’s wheels, gently brings the vehicle back into its original lane. The system is only active above 72 km/h and relies on zero steering or indicator input.
EcoPedal, which is a world first, is fitted as standard to the forthcoming Infiniti M37 GT Premium or S Premium models only. When unnecessarily wasteful acceleration is detected, the driver feels a “push back” from the accelerator pedal to indicate fuel is being wasted. The Infiniti M37 Premium grade models with EcoPedal technology are the first cars in the world to feature such effective and non-intrusive fuel saving technology, which can be deactivated should the driver wish to do so.
Dynamic Cornering Enhancement (DCE) is a feature of the ESP system. DCE selectively applies brakes during cornering to provide more responsive handling. DCE will apply brake pressure to the inside cornering wheels to help turn the vehicle. In slalom conditions, DCE distributes brake force to the front wheels to improve traction during cornering. If Sport Mode is selected, DCE is modified to provide the driver with more control of vehicle handling.
4-Wheel Active Steer (4WAS), which is fitted to the Infiniti M S and S Premium models, allows the brand to go further than simply upgrading the wheels and styling on sportier models. Unique in its application on a rear-wheel drive car, the 4WAS enhances turn-in, maximises grip and boosts stability by varying the front steering ratio and adjusting the geometry of the rear suspension according to steering input and vehicle speed.
ForestAir® has been developed by Infiniti as one of the world’s most advanced climate control systems. Because the brand believes the wellbeing of the driver and passengers is directly affected by air quality, ForestAir® offers extremely fine temperature, humidity and pollution control while simulating the subtle scents and breezes found in one of the most relaxing environments on earth: a forest. Infiniti’s Plasmacluster air-purifying ioniser is also employed. ForestAir® is fitted as standard on all Premium models.
Infiniti Drive Mode incorporates four drive modes which alter throttle response and transmission mapping – Normal, Eco, Sport and Snow. In Normal and Eco modes, fuel efficiency feedback is conveyed via green and yellow lights on the instrument panel. Sport mode provides sharper throttle response and sportier transmission mapping, while Snow mode offers a more gentle approach in line with the demands of icy conditions. On S and S Premium models, the suspension and four-wheel steering settings are also adjusted in Sport and Snow modes, providing extra levels of grip according to driving conditions.
Semi-aniline Leather, which is offered on all Infiniti M GT and GT Premium models, is a supple and natural-looking leather which offers excellent durability. The leather’s natural characteristics are allowed to show through thanks to a very thin pigment coating. Semi-aniline leather also offers superior colour consistency and resistance to fading.
White Ash wood with silver powder finish finds itself in its first automotive application in the new Infiniti M sedan range, standard on GT and GT Premium models. The full depth of the wood’s grain is brought out thanks to hand buffing and a powdered silver coating. A crafted feel more associated with a musical instrument or high-quality furniture is imparted rather than that of a car, thanks to the White Ash wood’s high gloss brilliance.
Infiniti vehicles are covered by a comprehensive warranty that covers the first three years or 100 000 km of ownership. In addition, a five-year or 100 000 km maintenance plan is standard on all models.
All Infiniti vehicles are also covered by a comprehensive roadside assistance programme – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Infiniti is renowned globally for providing a quality customer experience, in all facets of the buying process and vehicle ownership thereafter. Dedicated Infiniti Centres provide a welcoming environment which emphasises core Infiniti values – luxury, design and comfort – making the Infiniti ownership experience a truly pleasant one.
For prices and more info visit:www.infinity.co.za
