Infiniti M
Infiniti M
Infiniti M
A convertible was introduced for the 1991 model year. All Length 4,796 mm (188.8 in)
convertibles originated as coupe models, and were shipped Width 1,689 mm (66.5 in)
to California and converted by American Sunroof
Height 1,321 mm (52.0 in)
Corporation (ASC). The electric canvas top featured fully
automatic push-button operation. Unlike the coupe, the Curb weight 1,498 kg (3,303 lb) (coupe)
M30 convertibles utilized manual climate controls, and a 1,622 kg (3,576 lb)
standard Active Sound audio system. The convertible (convertible)
model was never officially sold in Japan, and was Chronology
exclusive to the US market, although convertibles have
been imported to Japan in the last few years by collectors. Successor Infiniti G37 Cabrio
The M30 was discontinued after the 1992 model year following a production run of approximately 17,000
cars. It was replaced in the Infiniti lineup by the J30 sedan, which used a DOHC V6, and was based on the
Japanese market Nissan Leopard J. Ferie (chassis code Y32).
Changes
For the 1991 model year, the cable-type speedometer became electric, instrument cluster typeface changed
to match that of the Q45, and fuel and coolant temperature gauges were switched. The driver's and
passenger's side door keyhole and interior dome light would illuminate upon pulling the outer door handle
while the vehicle was locked. Selective door lock logic allowed unlocking of the passenger door from the
driver's keyhole by turning the key twice.
All 1992 models gained the addition of a central locking switch next to the Sonar Suspension II selector,
and the intake plenum cover changed to display the Infiniti logo, rather than the Nissan logo and the "V6
3000" script on 1990 and 1991 cars.
Technical
Power came from Nissan's 3.0 VG30E V6, which produced 162 hp (121 kW; 164 PS) at 6000 rpm, and
180 lb⋅ft (244 N⋅m) of torque at 3500 rpm. All M30s were equipped with a Jatco RE4R01A 4-speed
automatic transmission. The differential was a Nissan open R200 unit. Although most Nissan Leopards
were equipped with a DOHC V6, offered in 2.0 liter, 3.0 liter, naturally aspirated, and turbocharged forms,
the M30 was only offered with the SOHC VG30E. Although it was a smooth powertrain, which Infiniti
touted in its brochures for the M30, the 3,302 lb (1,498 kg) coupe and convertible were generally received
as overweight and underpowered. Infiniti marketed the car as a luxury sports coupe, and its relatively low
power output, combined with the absence of a manual transmission, hampered its performance and sporting
image.
Like the Nissan Maxima, the M30 was equipped with Nissan's Sonar Suspension II. Using a sonar sensor
mounted underneath the front bumper that scanned the road surface ahead of the vehicle, it would instantly
change damping based on varying road surfaces, using individual actuators on each shock absorber. A
center console-mounted switch allowed drivers to choose between Comfort (soft) and Sport (firm)
suspension modes.
The M45 allowed Infiniti to expand the use of the 4.5L V8 that had
been exclusive to the Q45, thus creating a better economy of scale
to cope with that engine's development costs.
Overview
Also called Nissan Fuga
Production December 2004–2010
Model years 2006–2010
Infiniti M35x (North America) Designer Michinari Chiba (2002)[7][8]
Body and chassis
The Infiniti M used a more rigid version of the Layout Front engine, rear-wheel
G35/350Z/FX Nissan FM platform and was available with
drive / Four-wheel drive
the VQ-series 280 hp (209 kW) 3.5 L V6 in the M35, or
the Q45's 335 hp (250 kW) 4.5 L V8 in the M45.[9] Platform FM-L "enhanced FM"
While shorter 177 mm (7.0 in) than the last Q45 at Related Infiniti FX
5,069 mm (199.6 in), the M offers greater interior space, Infiniti G35
performance, a rear multilink suspension and front double Nissan 350Z
wishbone, and improved ergonomics as well as a 30 mm Infiniti G37
(1.2 in) longer wheelbase. Infiniti EX35
Powertrain
Reception Engine 3.5L 280 hp (209 kW)
VQ35DE V6
The automotive press gave the Y50 Infiniti M several best-
3.5L 303 hp (226 kW)
in-class awards. For instance the M45 fared well against
the BMW 545i/550i, Acura RL, Mercedes-Benz VQ35HR V6
E500/E550, and Lexus GS 430/450h. Reviewers cited the 4.5L 325 hp (242 kW)
M35 and M45's driving involvement and handling VK45DE V8
dynamics over the GS and E-Class while having superior Transmission 5-speed automatic; 7-speed
ergonomics to the 5 Series; furthermore the M was automatic
equipped and priced competitively against its German
rivals,[10][11] while the M35 also received strong Dimensions
reviews.[12] Despite entering a very crowded, competitive Wheelbase 2,901 mm (114.2 in)
segment in which almost every member has been recently Length 2006-07: 4,892 mm
redesigned, the M managed to claim several key (192.6 in)
distinctions. The M is near or at the top of its class of
2008-2010: 4,930 mm
every interior dimension, actually breaking into the United
(194.1 in)
States Environmental Protection Agency "large" category
depending on which option packages are selected.
[13]
[14] Width 1,798 mm (70.8 in)
[15] The M35x won Consumer Reports top luxury car
Height 1,509 mm (59.4 in) (M35 &
pick for 2006, taking the top spot from the 2005 Lexus LS M45)
430. 1,511 mm (59.5 in) (M35 &
The Infiniti M did not manage to gain a significant market M45 Sport)
share in the mid-luxury market. The Infiniti G37 sedan M35x: 1,524 mm (60.0 in)
and coupe, competing in the entry-level luxury sport
category, accounted for half of the marque's sales as of 2009.[16] Out of that year's 81000 Infiniti cars sold,
only 10000 were of the M nameplate.[17] Furthermore, the 2009 update left M35 and M45 in awkward
positions of the Infiniti lineup, as though they were the flagships of the marque, they were out-powered by
the VQ37VHR engines fitted in the 2009 G37 coupe and sedan. For that model year while the G Series
received 7-speed automatic transmissions across the lineup, only the M35 RWD was upgraded to a 7-speed
automatic while the rest of the nameplate retained the aging 5-speed automatic.[18]
For the 2008 model year, the Infiniti M received a facelift, receiving
optional all wheel drive (M45x), revised front and rear fascias,
revised tail lights, and redesigned blue-highlted gauges, previously
orange. Infiniti also offered an S type version for the M45/M45x
similar to the previous Sport model. Other new features on the
2008 model include touch screen hard drive based navigation, iPod
integration, and a music hard drive.
2008 Infiniti M35x
For 2009, the M35 received a new V6 engine producing 303 hp (226 kW) and 262 lb⋅ft (355 N⋅m) of
torque and a 7-speed automatic transmission. The 2009 M35x, M45, and M45x retained the five-speed
automatic.[19]
Safety technology has also been introduced, such as Lane Length 4,945 mm (194.7 in)
Departure Prevention, which uses a small camera mounted 5,131 mm (202.0 in)
above the rearview mirror to gauge distance from the lane (Q70L)
markers, and will lightly tap selected brakes when Width 1,845 mm (72.6 in)
necessary to help ease the car back into the correct lane. It
will allow for unimpeded lane changes when the turn Height 1,509 mm (59.4 in)
signal is used, and will yield control to the driver at all
times. Blind Spot Intervention System uses sensors to provide a visual warning in the side view mirror. If
the car senses that movement towards the obstacle is occurring, it will provide an audible warning and will
apply opposite side brakes to guide the vehicle into the correct lane.
Safety
The third generation Infiniti M models were given a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS) by earning a "Good" score for all four IIHS crash tests while also featuring
standard stability control to help avoid accidents altogether.
Engines
Gasoline engines
Model Years Type/code Power, torque@rpm
218 hp (163 kW; 221 PS) @ 6,400, 186 lb⋅ft
M25 2011- 2,495 cc (152.3 cu in) V6 24-valve (VQ25HR)
(252 N⋅m) @4,800
3,696 cc (225.5 cu in) V6 24-valve VVEL 330 hp (246 kW; 335 PS)@ 7,000, 270 lb⋅ft
M37 2010-
(VQ37VHR) (366 N⋅m) @5,200
5,552 cc (338.8 cu in) V8 32-valve VVEL direct 420 hp (313 kW; 426 PS) @ 6,000, 417 lb⋅ft
M56 2010-
injection (VK56VD) (565 N⋅m) @4,400
303 hp (226 kW; 307 PS) @ 6,800, 264 lb⋅ft
3,498 cc (213.5 cu in) V6 24-valve (VQ35HR)
(358 N⋅m) @ 4,800
M35h 2011-
59 PS (43 kW; 59 PS)@? 199 lb⋅ft (270 N⋅m)
electric motor
@?
Diesel engines
Model Years Type/code Power, torque@rpm
2010- 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) V6 24-valve 237 hp (177 kW; 240 PS) @ 3,750, 406 lb⋅ft
M30d
2014 turbodiesel (V9X) (550 N⋅m) @ 1,750-2,500
M35h (Hybrid version) (2011–2019)
The Infiniti M Hybrid, to be sold as the Nissan Fuga Hybrid in Japan where it is the top performance trim
there, will introduce Nissan's first in-house developed electric hybrid technology, and the carmaker claims it
will double the fuel economy of its gasoline-powered version.[26] Nissan also announced that the Nissan
Infiniti/Fuga Hybrid, together with the Nissan Leaf, will include its new Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
system to alert pedestrians, the blind and others to their presence when the hybrid is operating at low speeds
in all-electric mode.[27][28]
The combined power output of the M35H's hybrid power-train is 360 hp (268 kW; 365 PS) at 6500 rpm,
and an estimated 391 lb⋅ft (530 N⋅m) of torque at 2000 rpm.[30]
Reviewers have considered the 2012 Infiniti M35h, along with the 2011 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
which also debuted in the same calendar year, as among the best executed hybrid performance luxury cars.
The M35h and Panamera S Hybrid are the first hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles with an automatic
transmission to return frugal fuel economy figures and retain the acceleration/handling characteristics of its
gasoline-only counterparts. Earlier hybrids such as the Lexus 2007 GS 450h used a CVT for fuel economy
at the cost of driving dynamics, while the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 which has an automatic transmission
did not feature significantly improved mileage over its gasoline counterpart.[31][32] The M35h's fuel
economy is superior to the M37, and it is almost as fast as the M56 while providing a more balanced, near
50/50, front/rear weight distribution.[33]
On August 23, 2011, the Infiniti M35h set an official Guinness world record for the world's fastest
accelerating production full hybrid. The feat took place at the United Kingdom's Santa Pod Raceway,
where CAR magazine journalist Tim Pollard drove the vehicle down the quarter-mile dragstrip in 13.896
seconds. The M35h averaged 13.9031 seconds for all runs, reaching speeds over 100 mph (160 km/h).
Guinness adjudicators were present to witness the run and certify the record.[34][35] The official claimed 0–
100 km/h (62 mph) time for the Infiniti M35h is 5.5 seconds.
In 2010, at the Geneva Motor Show, the Infiniti M was introduced with a diesel engine for the first time. It
will be sold across Europe starting in September 2010. The V9X diesel engine produces 240 hp (179 kW)
and 406 lb⋅ft (550 N⋅m) of torque at 2,500 rpm. In western Europe, this V6 performance diesel will be
offered as a high performance option in lieu of the M56 V8. The M30d will not be sold in the US or
Canada.[36]
Discontinuation
In 2019, Nissan confirmed that the Infiniti Q70, Q70L, Q30, and QX30 models will be discontinued after
the 2019 model year due to poor sales as people in the United States, Canada, and Mexico prefer to
purchase crossovers and SUVs instead of sedans, hatchbacks, wagons, convertibles, and coupes. Another
reason for the discontinuation is also caused by Nissan's plans to withdraw the Infiniti brand from the
Australian, New Zealand, South Korean, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malaysian, and
West European markets by the end of 2020, with Nissan already withdrawing the Infiniti brand from the
South African market in 2017 due to losses and poor sales. Nissan has no plans of abandoning sedans
entirely and plans on possibly introducing an Infiniti EV vehicle in 2021 for the 2022 model year based
from QS Inspiration concept.[37][38]
See also
Infiniti
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External links
Official Infiniti USA site (http://www.infinitiusa.com/)
Official Canadian site (https://web.archive.org/web/20060428184229/http://infiniti.ca/en/mod
els/m35_45/overview.html)