The Infiniti M is a line of mid-size luxury (executive) cars from the Infiniti luxury division of Nissan. From 2013 (model year 2014) on it has been marketed as the Infiniti Q70, reflecting the company's new naming scheme.
The first iteration was the M30 Coupé/Convertible, which were rebadged JDM Nissan Leopard. After a long hiatus, the M nameplate was used for Infiniti's mid-luxury sedans (executive cars). First was the short-lived M45 sedan, a rebadged version of the Japanese-spec Nissan Gloria. The next generations, the M35/45 and M37/56/35h/30d, became the flagship of the Infiniti brand and are based on the JDM Nissan Fuga.
The Infiniti M30 was a 2-door coupé based on the Japanese market Nissan Leopard (chassis code F31). It was launched in 1989 for the 1990 model year as a luxury coupe alternative to the Infiniti Q45, and was intended to be an alternative to the Lexus SC and Acura Legend coupe for the North American market.
Unlike its competitors that were designed with the American market in mind and were launched as brand-new models, the M30 was based on a somewhat dated platform that was originally designed for the Japanese market; when the Leopard was imported to the United States, few changes were made to the exterior but the interior was revised to better suit American tastes; a leather interior was standard in the M30, and several features in the Leopard such as a center-mounted television screen and a digital instrument cluster weren't available in the M30 as those features were perceived as gimmicks in western car markets.
The M30's angular design aesthetics and on-road performance were viewed as outdated, especially considering a redesigned Acura Legend coupe was launched in 1991. The interior came in for criticism for its outdated ergonomics and lack of room. While the Japanese-market Leopard had received a new dashboard along with the 1988 facelift, economics precluded making a left-hand-drive version of the new dashboard and the M30 was instead fitted with the LHD version of the R31 Skyline's rectilinear dashboard, first presented in 1985.[3]
The M30 made up for these deficiencies in its somewhat lower price; whereas the 1990 Acura Legend coupe started at $27,325 before options and the 1990 BMW 325i started at $24,650 before options, the M30 started at $23,500, and had no factory options, per Infiniti's pricing structure used at the time. Dealerships offered an in-car cellular telephone and in-dash CD player as optional accessories, amongst other items.
Overview
Standard equipment on the M30 included a driver's side airbag, anti-lock brakes, an anti-theft security system with an engine immobilizer, Nissan Sonar Suspension II, and leather upholstery. Other standard features include a 4 speaker Nissan-Bose audio system with satellite radio controls, a cassette player and an electric mast antenna, cruise control, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, power moonroof, and on coupes, automatic climate control.
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. An illuminated entry feature was added that would light the driver's and passenger's door keyhole and the interior dome light upon pulling the outer door handle. Selective door lock logic was added that allowed unlocking of the passenger door from the driver's keyhole by turning the key twice.
A convertible was introduced for the 1991 model year. All convertibles originated as coupe models, and were shipped to California and converted by American Sunroof Corporation (ASC). The electric canvas top featured fully automatic push-button operation, similar to the redesigned 1990 Mercedes-Benz SL, although the SL used a hydraulic system. Unlike the coupe, the M30 convertible use manual climate controls, and a Bose Active Sound audio system. The convertible top used a plastic rear window; as a result the rear window defrost feature used on the coupe was removed, and buttons to raise and lower the convertible top were put in place of the rear window defrost switch. The convertible model was never officially sold in Japan, and was exclusive to the US market, although convertibles have been imported to Japan in the last few years by collectors.
All 1992 models gained the addition of a central locking switch next to the Sonar Suspension II selector, and the intake plenum cover was revised and displayed the Infiniti logo, rather than the Nissan logo and the "V6 3000" script on 1990 and 1991 cars.
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 was based on the F31 Nissan Leopard's successor, the Nissan Leopard J. Ferie (chassis code Y32).
Technical
Power came from Nissan's VG30E V6, which produced 162hp (121kW; 164PS) at 6000 rpm, and 180lb⋅ft (244N⋅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-liter, 3-liter, naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants, 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 3,302lb (1,498kg) coupe and 3,523 lb (1,598 kg) convertible were generally received as overweight and underpowered, with a quoted 0–60 time of 9.4 and 9.7 seconds, respectively. Infiniti marketed the car as a luxury sports coupe, but its relatively low power output, combined with comfort oriented driving dynamics and 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 MacPherson struts for the front wheels and semi-trailing arm with 4-links for the rear suspension from the Skyline. 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 both front struts. A center console-mounted switch allowed drivers to choose between Comfort (soft) and Sport (firm) suspension modes.
Infiniti M45 was designed in 2000 at the Nissan Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi, Japan;[6] was manufactured in Tochigi, Japan;[6] and is based on eleventh generation, Y34-series Nissan Gloria. In contrast to the Japanese models, which were available only with 6-cylinder engines, the M45 was powered by Nissan's VK45DEV8, producing 340hp (254kW) and 333lb⋅ft (451N⋅m) of torque, which it shared with the Infiniti's flagship Q45.[7]
In addition to the difference in powertrain with the Y34 Cedric/Gloria, the Y34 M45 uses a different instrument panel design, similar to the F50 Q45 as well as a different rear multi-link suspension design. The Y34 Cedric/Gloria's rear multi-link suspension design is similar to Z32 300ZX, and S14/S15 Silvia/200SX/240SX where the rear spring is mounted on the strut. The rear suspension design on the Y34 M45 is much like the rear suspension design on the Z33 350Z, where the spring is mounted independent of the shock/strut, and sits directly on the lower arm, in a spring cup.[citation needed]
The front suspension design carries over from the Y33 Q45, with a one-piece strut/upright. In place of the stamped steel front lower arm, the Y34 M45 has a cast aluminum lower A-arm.
2003–2004 Infiniti M45
The M45 broadened Nissan's use of the 4.5L V8 that had been exclusive to the Q45, allowing the company to better amortize the engine's development cost.
Infiniti released a redesigned M for the 2006 model year, released in February 2005, and marketed in Japan as the Nissan Fuga. All-wheel-drive models, marketed as the M35x and M45x, use a system (ATTESA-ETS) to send all power to the rear wheels until slip is detected. As the Q45 was no longer exported from Japan after model year 2006, the M45 became Infiniti's flagship.
Infiniti M35x (North America)
The M used a more rigid version of the Nissan FM platform shared with the G35/350Z/FX — and was available with the VQ-series 280hp (209kW) 3.5 L V6 in the M35, or the Q45's 335hp (250kW) 4.5 L V8 in the M45.[10]
While shorter 177mm (7.0in) than the last Q45 at 5,069mm (199.6in), the M offered greater interior space, performance, a rear multilink suspension and front double wishbone, and improved ergonomics as well as a 30mm (1.2in) longer wheelbase.
Reception
The automotive press the Y50 Infiniti M several praised the M35 and M45's driving involvement and handling dynamics vs the GS and E-Class while having superior ergonomics to the 5 Series; furthermore the M was equipped and priced competitively against its German rivals,[11][12] while the M35 also received strong reviews.[13] Despite entering a very crowded, competitive segment in which almost every member has been recently redesigned, the M managed to claim several key distinctions. The M is near or at the top of its class of every interior dimension, actually breaking into the United States Environmental Protection Agency "large" category depending on which option packages are selected. [14][15][16] The M35x won Consumer Reports top luxury car pick for 2006, taking the top spot from the 2005 Lexus LS 430.
The Infiniti M did not gain a significant share in the mid-luxury market. The Infiniti G37 sedan and coupe, competing in the entry-level luxury sport category, accounted for half of the marque's sales as of 2009.[17] Out of that year's 81000 Infiniti cars sold, only 10000 were of the M nameplate.[18] 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.[19]
2008/2009 Mid-generational refresh
2008 Infiniti M35x
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.
For 2009, the M35 received a new V6 engine producing 303hp (226kW) and 262lb⋅ft (355N⋅m) of torque and a 7-speed automatic transmission. The 2009 M35x, M45, and M45x retained the five-speed automatic.[20]
The Y51, designed by Hideo Komuro during 2006 and 2008 under the supervision of Shiro Nakamura, took on a more fluid look,[17][18][21] recalling the coke bottle styling of a 1960s and 1970s.
A driving mode selector was included on all models, situated below the transmission gear lever and between the heated and ventilated front seat controls, providing four selections labeled "Standard", "Sport", "Eco", and "Snow", allowing the 7-speed transmission, engine and various systems to optimize driving in varying conditions. To minimize intrusion of exhaust noise in the passenger compartment, the M included a noise cancelling system marketed as Active Noise Control. Double-piston shock absorbers, developed by Kayaba Industry Company, have replaced those previously supplied by Hitachi.
The 5.6L V8 VK56VD in the Infiniti M56 was competitive with other V8 mid-luxury (executive) cars such as the BMW 550i and Mercedes-Benz E550.[24][25][26] The 5.6L V8 is not shared with its Japanese domestic market counterpart, the Nissan Fuga, as Nissan opted instead to have the hybrid version as the performance option. The extended length version of the Fuga, known as the Cima, is offered as the Infiniti Q70L beginning from model year 2015.
The M37 and M56 will have all-wheel drive optional, badged as M37x and M56x, respectively.
Safety technology included Lane Departure Prevention, which uses a small camera mounted above the rearview mirror to gauge distance from the lane markers, and would lightly deploy selected brakes to help ease the car into the correct lane. It allowed for unimpeded lane changes when the turn signal is used and yields control to the driver at all times. Blind Spot Intervention System used sensors to provide a visual warning in the side view mirror. If the car sensed movement toward an obstacle, it provided an audible warning and applied opposite side brakes to guide the vehicle to 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.
The Infiniti M Hybrid, sold as the Nissan Fuga Hybrid in Japan where it was the top performance trim, introduced Nissan's first in-house developed electric hybrid technology, and the carmaker claimed it doubles the fuel economy of its gasoline-powered version.[27] Nissan also announced that the Nissan Infiniti/Fuga Hybrid, together with the Nissan Leaf, included 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.[28][29]
Nissan Fuga & Infiniti M Hybrid Powertrain
The hybrid includes one electric motor and two clutches to allow the 3.5L V6 (302hp (225kW) and 258lb⋅ft (350N⋅m)) gas engine and electric motor to drive the rear wheels simultaneously. The lithium-ion battery pack comes from the Infiniti Essence.[30] The VQ35HR 3.5 L V6 Hybrid utilizes the Atkinson cycle. The electric motor, installed in parallel between the engine and the transmission, produces 68PS (50kW; 67bhp) from 1.3kWh lithium-ion batteries that are expected to have a service life of 10 years. The batteries are installed upright behind the rear seats. The main sacrifices are that the luggage compartment space is reduced, the hybrid's rear seats are fixed in place and cannot fold down, and all-wheel drive is not available.[27] One benefit of the battery placement though, is that it leaves the hybrid with a 51/49 front to rear weight distribution.
The combined power output of the M35H's hybrid power-train is 360hp (268kW; 365PS) at 6500 rpm, and an estimated 391lb⋅ft (530N⋅m) of torque at 2000 rpm.[31]
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.[32][33] 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.[34]
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 100mph (160km/h). Guinness adjudicators were present to witness the run and certify the record.[35][36] The official claimed 0–100km/h (62mph) time for the Infiniti M35h is 5.5 seconds.
M30d (Diesel version) (2010–2014)
In 2010, at the Geneva Motor Show, the Infiniti M was introduced with a diesel engine for the first time. It was sold across Europe starting in September 2010. The V9X diesel engine produces 240hp (179kW) and 406lb⋅ft (550N⋅m) of torque at 2,500 rpm. In western Europe, this V6 performance diesel was offered as a high performance option in lieu of the M56 V8. The M30d was not sold in the US or Canada.[37]
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 buyers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico preferred crossovers and SUVs instead of sedans, hatchbacks, wagons, convertibles, and coupes. Another reason for the discontinuation was 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.[38][39]
Infiniti is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989, in North America. The marketing network for Infiniti-branded vehicles included dealers in over 50 countries in the 2010s. As of 2020, there were 25 markets served by new car dealers. The main markets are North America, China, and the Middle East.
The Nissan Pathfinder is a range of sport utility vehicles manufactured by Nissan since 1986. Until the third-generation model, the Pathfinder is based on Nissan's compact pickup truck platform which it shares with the Navara/Frontier. The front end of the D21 and R51 Pathfinder is notably identical with the Navara/Frontier up until the B-pillars.
The Infiniti J30, marketed as the Nissan Leopard J Ferie in Japan, was a rear wheel drive luxury car. The J30 went into production on April 7, 1992 as a 1993 model to replace the M30, and was launched in the United States after its competitors, the Lexus GS and Acura Legend. The car was sold in the mid-size sedan segment between the smaller G20 and the larger Q45, both by size and price. The small interior resulted from its rounded styling uncharacteristic of the crowded executive car class, which is now considered an early variant of a four-door coupé.
In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. To allow for product differentiation without designing or engineering a new model or brand, a manufacturer creates a distinct automobile by applying a new "badge" or trademark to an existing product line.
The Nissan FM platform is a FR automobile layout. The name is derived from the "front midships" location of the engine, with its center of mass located behind the front axle centerline, shifting weight to the middle of the car, leaving the front suspension less encumbered. The engine is pushed as far back to the firewall as possible, creating a weight distribution close to 50:50 and enabling the front wheels to be placed close to the corners for better handling. This platform debuted with the 2001 V35-series Infiniti G-series/Nissan Skyline, and was then used as the basis of nearly all of Nissan's rear and all-wheel drive applications. The platform was revised for use in the JDM Nissan Fuga/USDM Infiniti M35/45, being stretched in wheelbase and reinforced for additional torsional rigidity, a version referred to as the "enhanced FM" platform. The GT-R is built on Nissan's Premium Midship (PM) platform, an evolution of the Front Midship (FM) architecture.
The Nissan Skyline is a brand of automobile originally produced by the Prince Motor Company starting in 1957, and then by Nissan after the two companies merged in 1967. After the merger, the Skyline and its larger counterpart, the Nissan Gloria, were sold in Japan at dealership sales channels called Nissan Prince Shop. Starting with the Third Generation C10, the chassis, suspension and some of the engines were shared with the longer wheelbase Nissan Laurel from 1968-2002, when the formerly Prince factory at Musashimurayama was closed, and the Skyline shared its platform with the Nissan 350Z.
The Acura Legend is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Honda from Japan. It was sold in the U.S. and Canada under Honda's luxury brand, Acura, from 1985 until 1995. It was the first flagship sedan sold under the Acura nameplate, until being renamed in 1996 as the Acura 3.5RL. The 3.5RL was the North American version of the KA9 series Honda Legend.
The Nissan Fuga is a mid-size luxury sedan produced by Japanese automaker Nissan since October 2004. It is built on a wider, stretched wheelbase version of the Nissan FM platform. After the Nissan Cima and Nissan President were discontinued in August 2010, the Fuga became Nissan's flagship vehicle. In North America and Europe, the Fuga is sold as the second and third-generation Infiniti M, where it has been the flagship of the Infiniti luxury division of Nissan since 2006.
The Nissan Cefiro is a mid-size passenger car manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motors over three generations. Almost all Cefiro's were marketed as four-door sedans, though a five-door wagon body style was briefly available (1997–2000). In most cases, the Cefiro used Nissan's VQ six-cylinder engines, named Ward's 10 Best Engines more than ten years running.
The Infiniti Q45 is a full-size luxury sedan manufactured by Nissan for its Infiniti brand, spanning model years 1989-2006 and three design generations.
The Nissan Cima is a luxury sedan manufactured and marketed by Nissan for the Japanese market. The name Cima is derived from Spanish for "summit". Earlier generations featured a hood ornament with an image of an acanthus leaf that was the naming basis for the Nissan Laurel. The acanthus leaf was commonly used by classical Greeks to make a wreath for use as a crown.
The Infiniti QX70, formerly called the Infiniti FX until 2013, is a compact luxury crossover SUV produced by the Nissan-owned Infiniti luxury vehicle brand between 2002 and 2017. The FX replaced the QX4 as Infiniti's mid-size SUV. It shares the same FM platform as the rear-wheel drive Nissan 370Z, and it "made no claims of climbing mountains." Rather, its aggressive shape promised style and quick handling. The similarly sized Nissan Murano is based on the same D platform as the front-wheel drive Nissan Altima. The FX does not have a Nissan-branded equivalent and is not sold in Japan.
The Infiniti G Line is a series of compact executive cars manufactured and marketed by Infiniti, a luxury division of Nissan, for the 1991–1996 and 1999–2016 model years — across four generations.
The Nissan Leopard is a line of sport/luxury cars built by Japanese carmaker Nissan. The Leopard began life in 1980 and was discontinued in 1999. The Leopard were initially based on the Japanese market Nissan Skyline and Nissan Laurel, then later based on the chassis of their Nissan Cedric and Nissan Gloria contemporaries and were rear wheel drive. Final versions were the contributing factors to Nissan's Infiniti M and J products.
The Mitsuoka Galue is a series of luxury cars, based on mainstream Japanese automobiles, customized by Mitsuoka to resemble classic British and American cars.
Nissan North America, Inc., doing business as Nissan USA, is the North American headquarters, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Nissan Motor Corporation of Japan. The company manufactures and sells Nissan and Infiniti brand cars, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks through a network of approximately 1,082 Nissan and 211 Infiniti dealers in the United States, including 187 independent Nissan dealerships, 38 Infiniti retailers and 45 Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers in Canada. The Tennessee location is Nissan's second headquarter office after leaving Gardena, California in 2005, having occupied the location for nearly 50 years.
The Infiniti QX80 is a full-size luxury SUV marketed by Nissan's luxury division Infiniti. The first-generation QX56 was built in the United States and is based on the first-generation Armada. The second-generation model was released in 2010 as a model produced in Japan, which used the sixth-generation Patrol as the base vehicle instead. Since the 2014 model year in 2013, the vehicle was renamed to the QX80 as Infiniti renamed their entire product line under a new nomenclature.
The Infiniti Q50 is a compact executive car manufactured by Nissan for its luxury brand, Infiniti. Replacing the G/Q40 sedan, it debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show and went on sale in North America in the third quarter 2013 and in Europe in fourth quarter 2013. It is the export model of the Japanese domestic market's V37 Nissan Skyline.
The Infiniti Q60 is a 2-door sport luxury coupe manufactured by Japanese automaker Infiniti. It is the successor to the Infiniti G coupe and convertible. The Q60 nameplate was first used as a rebranding of Infiniti G coupes. A new version was introduced in early 2016, as a 2017 model.
The Infiniti Q70 and Q70L is a line of mid-size luxury (executive) cars from Nissan luxury division Infiniti. Essentially an update to the Infiniti M series with minor cosmetic changes, the Q70 name was introduced to reflect Infiniti's updated "Q" nomenclature.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Infiniti M.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
