2011 Infiniti M35 and M56 get a special reveal
by Jonathon Ramsey on Sep 22nd 2009 at 8:29AM 
Infiniti's "swoopy anger" design language has made it to the M line, and InsideLine got some seat time in the V8-powered, rear-wheel drive, M56 and the six-cylinder, all-wheel-drive M37x. The M56 is, of course, the monster of the two and kinda looks it. The black hue and 20-inch wheels makes all the difference on the outside, giving the 400+ horsepower V8 sedan the sporting chops to make you go "Hmmm." The interior continues the curves, and the contrasting color scheme appears to create a very rewarding three-dimensional cabin.
The M37x is reportedly worth about 325 hp, and will end up being the middle in the range, just above a rear-wheel-drive model below it. Seven-speed autos will get the power to the ground in every model. Edmunds wasn't allowed to give driving impressions, but they did get lots of photos, so head on over to get a good look at the next M.
[Source: Straight Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Stugots 8:37AM (9/22/2009)
Why do the automakers keep making 4-door-coupes?! This doesn't look like a sedan at all any more.
It's a shame they're ending the Crown Vic/GM/ToCars....
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timwang2006 8:52AM (9/22/2009)
"Why do the automakers keep making 4-door-coupes?! This doesn't look like a sedan at all any more."
Thats the point.
And who the hell would rather be driving a Crown Vic or TownCar over a Infiniti M?
Stugots 8:53AM (9/22/2009)
Me, that's who. And no, I'm not even 30 yet.
askroon 9:02AM (9/22/2009)
"Why do the automakers keep making 4-door-coupes?! This doesn't look like a sedan at all any more."
Answer: Variety is the spice of life.
You really like Crown Vics? I pity you for this, especially since they are huge monsters on the outside and smaller than any compact car on the inside, with creaky plastic and fake wood that has about 6 inches of give if you press on it. If that's what you like, then go for it. Yeah, I know it's rear-drive. But so is the Infiniti! Although I'd point you toward the Pontiac G8, which is ten times better than a Crown Vic.
Just please tell me you don't like Lincoln Town Cars. They are even worse than their Crown Vic counterparts.
Fernando 9:08AM (9/22/2009)
Considering your name of course you would drive a Crown Vic, LOL.
Stugots 9:09AM (9/22/2009)
Of course I'd rather have a Town Car. It has huge leather seats, huge trunk, column shifter and actually looks like a car.
Japanese cars in particular (also Germans, like the latest 7-series) look like coupé/sportscars to me. I understand that it's just design process, but I don't like it one bit.
fixitfixitstop 9:49AM (9/22/2009)
Looks like a sedan to me, and nothing like a coupe.
akboss302 10:36AM (9/22/2009)
Why is everybody hating on the Vics and Town Cars? They may be the anti-sport to modern 'four-door coupes', but they are built solid and don't pretend to be anything other than dependable, solid cars. How many other sedans are built body-on-frame? This alone makes it tougher than most any unibody car out there - how long do you think an Infiniti would last as a New York taxi cab or a Police Interceptor? Before you could count to ten, the suspension would be falling off, that lovely perfect interior would be knocked to bits as the car bounced over potholes, and the driver would have chronic backache from the stiff ride.
Sal Collaziano 11:00AM (9/22/2009)
I'm not really crazy about the front-end.. It reminds me too much of a Maxima.. But everything else I like.. Especially the rear-end and interior.. Very, very nice.. I'm sure power will be really nice as well. They don't make luxury sport cars like this in America anymore unless you're buying a CTS-V - and that's a little over the top for some people.
In any event, I like the Crown Victoria and Town Car as well - but I'd never take either of those over one of these Infiniti Ms.. They're just too outdated.. I'd be embarrassed to be seen in a Crown Vic - and the Town Car - while I love it for what it is (a truly comfortable commuter), is just too dated.
Now if the Town Car wasn't being discontinued and we could still have cars here in America like it or the Fleetwood - and they could be updated to compete with cars like the 750Li, Audi A8, S550, LS460L and XJ, I'd own one...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.infinitiforum.net/
Stugots 11:37AM (9/22/2009)
Yeah, I'd never consider a Crown Vic either, just listed it to point out the demise of all three Panther platform siblings.
It all boils down to personal taste, I guess, and maybe I'm just fed up with all the metrosexual style here in Europe... bah...
Vizel 10:51PM (9/23/2009)
aww come on Infiniti, you gotta be kidding me... I mean, this car doesn't look BAD by any definition, but this actually looks inferior in design in comparsion to say, the New Hyundai Sonata or Ford Taurus =(...
BigMcLargeHuge 8:42AM (9/22/2009)
Glad they dropped the 'cowlick' c-pillar from the concept.
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Jei 9:47AM (9/22/2009)
Lovin' it!
So what's stopping Infiniti from producing the Essence concept? Thought the market is down, there is a certain consumer "hunger" that's ready for it.
The interior is a lot more refined (albeit mature). I wouldn't mind seeing that interior in a 5- or 7-series where BMW comes off as a bit cold and bland.
It looks like Infiniti is trying to make the M37/56 a true flagship gradually in measured steps. And besides the model is getting bigger and bigger where the G37 will soon be the size of the 2002 M45.
Ligor 8:49AM (9/22/2009)
that Black one is definitely showing a nice design
sort of reminds me a bit of a Quatroporte in a distant way, I love it
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homunculus 9:11AM (9/22/2009)
overall, great update. infiniti is really creating a coherent brand design.
the grille could be better. they need to stamp out those new fx style design genes.
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ello 9:15AM (9/22/2009)
Ehhhh, the current crop of luxury cars is getting really uninspiring (the new 7 series, the new E-Class, and now Infiniti M). This car simply looks bloated, doesn't look sleek, it's missing something. I am more than sure it will be fast and luxurious but it just doesn't have that first wow factor (the emotion that makes me want this car is nonexistent). The only luxury car that I like it (that recently came out) is the new Jaguar XJ but it also is not a perfect design. I guess most auto makers want to play it safe. Who would really want a futuristic/bold looking luxury sedan?
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Toy Yoda 10:22AM (9/22/2009)
So, what about the Fisker Karma and Fisker Sunset? The former is a futuristic looking sedan. It's not out yet, but will be next year.
yacoub 9:20AM (9/22/2009)
If that's all the rear seat legroom you get, the G37 sedan must have none.
Also, now it looks like a slightly enlarged G sedan, making it harder to tell them apart from a quick glance on the road. The existing M at least looked different (and rather good, except for the fat rear end, imho).
Oh well.
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dal20402 10:33AM (9/22/2009)
Are we looking at the same car? This looks nothing like the G. The proportions are totally different, and this car has a lot more curves front, greenhouse, and back.
It's not totally for me, but you have to give Nissan credit for trying -- I think this has more inspiration than a lot of recent designs in the segment (particularly the BMW 5 and new E-class).
Stephen 9:22AM (9/22/2009)
When I saw the pick from above and to the rear, I though this was one of the rare new cars that actually looks good... then I saw the front. Someone needs to get the EpiPen out quick! That car is having an allergic reaction to something.
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