2006 Infiniti M35/45

[jro4566]

Here's the 2006 Infiniti M35/45 that's set to go on sale this Spring.









Apparently, both this and the STS are supposed to be the next kings of the segment and dethrone the Germans. Plus, the M and STS have about the same exact features compared to the Germans. The STS is more of a luxurious, edgy look whereas the M is more athletic in appearance.

[sheithappens]

The bottom cream colored interior is the better of the two in my opinion. Black like the top photo looks dark, depressing and cheap.

Nice pics by the way!

[jro4566]

PRESS RELEASE OF CONCEPT VERSION. FEATURES LIST IS THE SAME AS PRODUCTION VERSION IN WHICH THE PICTURES ARE OF

source: Nissannews.com

At a Glance: Infiniti M45 Concept

The Infiniti M45 Concept vehicle, which made its world debut at the 2004 New York International Auto Show, not only gives a look at the next generation M45 sedan, but also the future design direction of Infiniti. The M45 Concept vehicle captures the essence of the current Infiniti M45 – including its sense of elegance, distinction and driving pleasure – while advancing its high levels of sensuous style, engaging technology and driving excitement.

The M45 Concept optimizes both luxury and sport styling to create a dynamic visual appeal. The exterior design features a low, aggressive hoodline, which flows into the anchored shoulders and contributes to the sporty, powerful silhouette. Inside, the interior is highly expressive, combining a driver-oriented cockpit with an Infiniti level of luxury and design detail.

At the heart of the M45 Concept is the high-performance power of the advanced 4.5-liter DOHC V8 currently used in the Infiniti Q45, M45 and FX45. For use in the M45 Concept, it produces 340 horsepower and is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with short-throw performance shifter and manual shift mode.

Advanced technology is abundant on the M45 Concept – starting with a new active rear control suspension system, which helps improve vehicle handling performance by adjusting the geometry of the rear according to steering input and vehicle speed. Also featured on the M45 Concept is a new Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, which warns the driver of a pending, unintended lane departure. The M45 Concept provides a blueprint for the upcoming 2006 Infiniti M45, which is scheduled for spring 2005.

Highlights of the M45 Concept include:

Body

* Sporty, luxurious design
* Expressive, jewel-like grille and crystal-look headlight cluster
* Stable posture with long wheelbase (114.2 inches), wide tread and short overhangs
* Low, aggressive hoodline and anchored shoulders provides a sporty, powerful silhouette
* All-steel unibody with very high level of torsional rigidity

Engine and Driveline

* 32-valve 4.5-liter DOHC V8 producing 340 horsepower
* Modular cylinder head design, lightweight pistons, titanium valves, continuously variable valve timing, variable length induction system
* 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode
* Enhanced, “next generation” FM (Front Mid-ship) platform

Suspension, Steering and Braking
* Double-wishbone independent front suspension
* Multi-link independent rear suspension with active rear control
* Enhanced braking system with 4-wheel disc brakes, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
* Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
* Enhanced power-assisted steering system with sport ratio
* 19-inch wheels and high-performance tires

Interior Features

* Inviting interior feel with use of etched aluminum and leather appointments
* Large cabin space, able to fit five adult passengers comfortably
* Leather-appointed, climate controlled seats
* Contemporary instrument panel
* Advanced “Solar Eclipse” instrument lighting system
* Surround audio system with 14 speakers, 5.1-channel decoding with two personal speakers mounted in each front seat
* Infiniti Intelligent Key system and push-button start system
* Infiniti Navigation System with a new user interface with voice-activated destination entry
* Bluetooth wireless connectivity
* RearView monitor with a wide lens view
* Intelligent Cruise Control

Safety and Security

* Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system with cancel switch, which alerts driver of unintended lane departure
* Zone Body platform design, with front and rear crumple zones
* Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags and roof-mounted side-impact curtain air bags
* Brake-operated pre-crash front seat belts

[Rex Raider]

I like it. It's way better looking that the current "M".

[amark329]

That is awesome. I really like the interior it's exceptional. I like how Nissan/Infiniti and Toyota/Lexus make the interiors very different from each other unlike Ford/Lincoln and GM/Some Recent Cadillacs and Buicks. (Deville, Escalade, Lesabre.) My only dislike is it looks like a Maxima and G35 together. Other than that I love it.

[benjamin]

I'm not that excited about the taillights. The rest of it looks good, and I guess its a pretty solid performer.

[R.E Sanchez]

I really like this car. The interior is excellent, I like the woodgrain and cream better as well.. Well done Nissan!!

[paul3230]

Great interior, but the front end looks like it got lifted straight from an Altima!

[gmwsag]

It looks like its younger brother (should I say brother??) G35. I like it very much. The interior is very appealing. Good job, Infiniti. Infiniti has always built 'weird', awkward vehicles in the past (FX, QX just to name a few). Most of their new cars out on the market are 'weird' (the current M, Q) but it seems this one I can't get my eye off of.

WATCH OUT STS

[ByTheLake]

Nice looking car. The intrument panel is nice, but I don't care much for the analog clock ... hard to read at a glance, and who wants to take their eyes off the road that long.

[chicubs]

I guess Im the only one who doesnt really care for the interior. The shape just looks weird. I think I would have to see it in person.

[crazywop112]

This car looks good. I think the M45 and Cadillac STS are the best two cars in this segment. Lexus and Acura are boring and unless you opt for the higher end models the german cars are slow. :type:

[ChevyLaxMan]

What's up with the Avalon rear end and the FX front end? Still doesnt look as good as the STS and as I remember it the old 45 was slower than it should have been with 340hp. These two models look like they'll be neck and neck in many aspects. 3.5/4.5L vs. 3.6/4.6L and 260/340hp vs. 260/320hp. So you would imagine they will be similarly priced too. We'll see what the public wants but if you observe the success of Cadillac and Infiniti i think caddy has the edge. Just look at FX vs. SRX and G35 vs. CTS and QX56(who would remember that) vs. Escalade. I think Cadillac is pulling away in most segments. Time will tell.

[impala02]

I can't stand those those taillights, but I dig the interior. It also looks like all those buttons on the steering wheel could be a distraction.

[awalbert88]

I'm not sure I like the quasi-shelf look/feel of that interior instrument panel. It kind of puts me off on the whole car. I've never been terribly fond of Infiniti, though.

The exterior styling isn't too exciting, but it works nicely. Kind of reminds me of the new Acura TL (which I must admit is one of the most impressive and eye-catching new luxury designs on the road).