Infinity’s All-New M For 2011

Infiniti’s competitor to BMW’s 5-series and Mercedes E-class among others is debuting now in its third generation form.

The 2011 Infiniti M will arrive in showrooms spring of this year in M37 and M56 guise. The M37 will use the same V6 motor that resides in the smaller G37 and should deliver 330 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. If you crave the extra kick in the pants, the M56 comes with a V8 boasting 420 hp and a torque rating of 417 lb-ft. Enough to get you where you are going a bit quicker than anticipated.

You Greenies out there will be covered as well. Infiniti will release a hybrid version of the car with the M35 moniker. Details are sketchy at present, but this fuel sipper looks to be available about a year after the standard models.

Tech? There will be plenty of that to go around with features like intelligent cruise control, lane departure and blind-spot warning systems, brake assist and more.

And now for the design. How does this car look? The eye really notices the deeper sculpting of the fenders as well as the lower hood. Much of the style applied here is done in reference to Infiniti’s recent Essence concept car that I wrote about here. In pictures it has a bit of a minimizing effect to the visual heft of the car itself. Overall I approve.

The new M should indeed be a worthy competitor to the mid-size Bavarian sedans. If you are in the market it will be worth a look. Final thoughts from the Connoisseur pending a drive…