| In any category of car there's always those | | | | down, shift into Drive, and punch the gas. Your |
| obvious top-name picks that everybody seems to | | | | right-foot prompting is rewarded with a satisfying, |
| gravitate toward. Maybe it's me-too-ism, or | | | | refined growl and the muscular pull of the M45's |
| maybe it's just people's faith in certain apparently | | | | impressive 340 lb- ft. of torque. Although the car |
| "sure-thing" brands. Whatever the underlying | | | | weighs a substantial 3995 pounds, it nonetheless |
| reasons for this phenomenon, in the world of | | | | moves with an effortless, rather addicting |
| luxury cars, the big names are evergreens BMW | | | | urgency when asked to.And believe me, we |
| and Mercedes, along with more recent fave | | | | asked it to a lot. No matter what speed you're |
| Lexus.And then there's Infiniti. Introduced at | | | | traveling, the M45 has speed-hungry drivers |
| approximately the same time as Lexus, the | | | | covered. Nail it off the line and you're hauling along |
| nameplate hasn't made nearly the impression that | | | | readily. Plunge into the throttle at highway speeds |
| its biggest rival Japanese luxury brand has. And | | | | and the 5-speed automatic transmission promptly |
| that's a shame. This upscale Nissan division has | | | | and appropriately drops a gear or two as needed, |
| offered its share of sophisticated machinery to | | | | pushing the speedometer needle vigorously |
| rival Lexus and other luxury marques. And, in | | | | upward. Leave the pedal down to the floor and |
| many cases, Infinitis have a livelier, sportier feel | | | | the magic 100-mph mark approaches and passes |
| than those more-popular competitors.But while the | | | | by with pleasing effortlessness.Indeed, if you're |
| brand's relative obscurity might be a bad thing for | | | | not watching closely, you can find yourself thinking |
| Infiniti, it's certainly not a bad thing for Infiniti | | | | you're cruising a cop-friendly 65 mph, and actually |
| owners. Not those willing to forgo image | | | | be doing more like 85 or 90. Aside from a little |
| projection in favor of real, satisfying automotive | | | | too much wind noise around the A-pillars, the |
| substance anyway. For such folks looking to get a | | | | M45's speedometer is the only substantial |
| top-notch midsize luxury car that won't get lost in | | | | indication that you're approaching triple-digit |
| a sea of BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Classes, and | | | | velocities.Part of that sensation of effortless |
| Lexus GSs, the all-new Infiniti M45 fits the bill | | | | speed is a result of the M45s ride. It's a fine mix |
| beautifully.And even if you don't care about being | | | | of competent body control and impressive bump |
| a nonconformist, the new Infiniti M is a terrific car. | | | | absorption, despite stiff 40-profile performance |
| It's worth considering strictly on its merits | | | | tires. The car is admittedly a tad on the firm side |
| alone.This all-new M was introduced in Spring 2005 | | | | for a luxury sedan. But it's nevertheless |
| as a 2006 model. It's offered as the M35 with a | | | | comfortable and, more importantly, composed. |
| 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 and as the M45 with a 335-hp | | | | Our test M45 remained surefooted and stable |
| 4.5-liter V8. The M45 can also be had in a Sport | | | | even when traversing wavy country roads at |
| version, which has 19- instead of 18-inch wheels, | | | | close to 100 mph.In fact, it seemed no matter |
| upgraded suspension, and a unique automatic | | | | how fast we were going the M45 felt planted and |
| rear-wheel steering system. It's this hottest | | | | ready for more. At 130 mph on smooth roads, |
| version of the M that we were lucky enough to | | | | the car's confidence-inspiring composure remained |
| get for our test session.Easing into the M45's | | | | intact and the engine was still pulling strong. |
| roomy interior, you're surrounded by high-grade | | | | Satisfied with this as proof of the M45's |
| furnishings that speak of expensive quality. Sport | | | | high-speed prowess, we eased off the gas to |
| versions of the M45 eschew luxury-car-cliche | | | | more sane velocities.Using the car's powerful |
| wood trim in favor of attractive stainless steel | | | | brakes to haul us quickly back down into the |
| panels dressed with a fine crosshatch pattern. | | | | double-digit realm, we were able to sample the |
| The cabin's overall look is a confidently | | | | M45's fine road manners. Although this is a |
| understated luxury, with a clean, modern flavor. | | | | sizeable machine and it's obviously aimed at luxury |
| Very nice.The instruments are traditional dials, | | | | and comfort more than athleticism, it's |
| neatly arranged in front of the driver. Somewhat | | | | nonetheless quite satisfying to put through its |
| less "neat," however, is the integrated navigation | | | | paces. Grip is very good, helped by performance |
| climate/audio control system, which sprawls | | | | rubber, along with electronic handling aids that are |
| across a somewhat odd, almost horizontal panel | | | | effective and generally unobtrusive. Body lean is |
| jutting out of the middle of the dashboard. | | | | minimal, and the car treats drivers to a |
| Although not as frustrating to use as some similar | | | | nimbleness that's impressive for a large sedan.No |
| systems found in the M's rivals, the layout is | | | | doubt some of that agility is due to the Sport |
| nonetheless more distracting than it should | | | | version's rear-wheel steering. The system's |
| be.That said, the busy array of buttons is really | | | | operation is entirely transparent to the user, |
| the only major negative to be found in the M45's | | | | except when you consider that this big two-ton |
| cabin. The seats are long-haul comfortable and | | | | sedan is whipping through corners as if it were a |
| supportive, with good leg- and head-room even | | | | size or two smaller.Complementing the rear-wheel |
| for tall occupants. Trunk space, while not | | | | steering is the sensation drivers get from the |
| massively copious, is more than adequate for a | | | | front wheels. The M45's steering feel is perhaps |
| foursome's weekend luggage.Getting ready to | | | | one of the car's most satisfying elements. It's a |
| embark in the M45 requires just the push of the | | | | pleasing blend of good feedback, reasonably quick |
| starter button -- no key required as long as | | | | ratio, and light but appropriate weighting. It isn't |
| someone in the car has it in their pocket. Holding | | | | likely to disappoint luxury buyers who seek a |
| the button down, first the seats and steering | | | | more rewarding driving feel than many of the M's |
| wheel motor to their memory position, then the | | | | rivals can offer.And in a broader sense, that |
| engine fires with a low, muted V8 rumble.Now get | | | | notion is the real core of the M45's appeal. This is |
| ready to really wow your friends: Grab the | | | | a car that's rich, luxurious, and comfortable, yet |
| leather-wrapped shift knob and slide the lever into | | | | sporty, modern, and a little unique. It's an excellent |
| Reverse. You'll see not just the standard gee-whiz | | | | blend. Perhaps the best evidence of that is how |
| deal of the outside mirrors motoring down, but a | | | | much we hated to give this car back when our |
| reverse-view camera appearing on the dashboard | | | | week-long test session was over.Anyone who |
| LCD screen as well.Wow -- real James Bond | | | | experiences the M45 will most likely feel that |
| stuff!Pause a minute while the oohs and ahhs die | | | | strongly about it too. |