2011 Infiniti M debut

Infiniti gave a virtual sneak peak into the third-generation M luxury sedan. The vehicle shown was not the physical car, but a 3D rendition of it. The actual vehicle will debut later this year.

The M56 will be powered by a V8 engine that is expected to offer more than 400 hp. The M37 with be fitted with a V6. Infiniti claims fuel consumption will be reduced even with the increase in engine performance. The current generation M gets 19 mpg overall.

The M is completely redesigned for 2011 with a lower front end and sports sedan proportions. In addition, the vehicle will now offer a blind spot intervention system. Available on other upscale sedans like the Volvo S80, Buick Lucerne, and Cadillac DTS and STS, the safety system will alert drivers of the presence of adjacent vehicles if they are intending to change lanes.

In our tests, the M is a top performer in its class. The current generation M35, with its 3.5-liter V6, is quick, strong and agile with a roomy and well designed interior. We’ll see if the next generation M will stay at the top of the class when we put it through our tests.

The 2011 Infiniti M will arrive at dealerships in the spring of 2010. More details will be announced in December.

—Liza Barth 

Comments

[david]

I hope they will come with smaller rims to improve the ride quality of the M. Who designed the front end? It's only a face a mother could love.

[CyCarConsulting]

The M class is an exquisite car. Problem one has been the marketing. Nissan fails miserabley in this area. The resale is way back of wholesale book, and the preowned units are tough to sell. There is no reason for this. Whenever you talk about Japanese high line, Lexus comes up. Why not Infiniti. Well Nissan why not Infifniti?

[West Coaster]

The designers of the new Infiniti M front end must have designed the decidedly un-beautiful BMW 2nd generation Z car. Same unappealing swoopy lines. Looks like a step backward fr classic design of current M series. I agree with poster who called for smaller rims for better ride. Leave the big rims to the Infiniti G and the people who like losing their teeth fillings fr a harsh ride. Folks with money for the M series (those who don't write reviews for car enthusiast magazine/blogs) don't like big rims and their punishing rides. Overall, I think this new front end of the 2011 Infiniti M will push sales of the current style 2009 Infinti M, so buyers (me included) can get all those sweet pluses in that car that CR reviews salute, but without the new-- and awful-- design. Now we know what happened to the men/wonen who designed the GM's ugly 2001 Pontiac Aztek-- they were not banished fr car designing after all-- they went to work on the 2011 Infiniti M series! I expect the new design will banish Infiniti to where it was before the current smart-looking G and M series appeared.

[coolcar]

too round, too many curves, but I wonder if it will retain the previous generation's award-winning blend of performance and comfort