Infiniti M

Just two years after its highly successful introduction, the Infiniti M receives major upgrades for 2008 that include the first-ever availability of Infiniti’s intelligent ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system on the 4.5-liter V8-powered M45. The new model, designated M45x, joins the M35x to provide buyers with two choices in all-climate AWD performance.

Other enhancements for 2008 include revised interior and exterior styling and added luxury amenities and technologies, including the production debut of Infiniti’s newest safety technology, the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system. For 2008, previous M Sport models have been replaced by an available Sport Package, which includes unique exterior and interior styling, Rear Active Steer (RAS) and 19-inch wheels and tires.

LDP takes Infiniti’s existing Lane Departure Warning system (currently implemented on the FX and the 2007 M sedan) one step further by utilizing the Vehicle Dynamic Control to apply slight brake pressure to the wheels opposite the side of the lane departure direction to help prevent the M from inadvertently traveling out of its intended lane.

The Infiniti M’s exterior enhancements for 2008 include revised front and rear fascia, grille, rear fender panels, rear decklid and taillight design, new chrome accents and new 18-inch and 19-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels. There are also six new exterior colors (out of an available eight). There is also greater visual differentiation between the Sport Package-equipped models and non-Sport Package models.

Inside, the new 2008 Infiniti M includes an upgraded Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and available XM NavTraffic (requires active XM subscription, sold separately), as well as new white and violet instrument panel and interior lighting, standard XM Satellite Radio (requires XM subscription, sold separately) and a revised Stone colored interior.

The M45 continues to offer a 325-horsepower 4.5-liter aluminum-alloy DOHC V8, while the M35 features the award-winning VQ-series 3.5–liter V6, tuned for the M to produce 275 horsepower. Both engines are mated to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission with performance shifter and manual shift mode with downshift rev matching.

In addition to the advanced navigation system, other available M technology includes Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, Infiniti Information Display with 7-inch LCD screen and easy-to-use controls, Infiniti voice recognition and RearView Monitor.

Body

Sporty, luxurious design with revised front and rear fascia, grille, rear decklid and taillight design, rear fender panels, new chrome accents
Stable posture with long wheelbase (114.2 inches), wide track and short overhangs
Low, aggressive hoodline and anchored shoulders providing a sporty, powerful silhouette
Advanced unibody construction with a high level of torsional rigidity
Lightweight aluminum doors, hood and trunk lid
New 18-inch and 19-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheel designs
Increased differentiation between Sport Package and non-Sport Package vehicles; Sport Package includes unique bumpers, side sills, headlight color and 19-inch wheels
Available High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights with Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS)
New rain sensing wipers
Six new exterior colors (out of eight total)

Engine and Driveline

Front engine, rear-wheel or intelligent all-wheel drive
32-valve 4.5-liter DOHC V8 producing 325 horsepower and 336 lb-ft of torque (M45) or 24-valve 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 275 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque (M35)
Modular cylinder head design, lightweight pistons, titanium valves, continuously variable valve timing, variable length induction system
5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode with downshift rev matching
Enhanced FM (Front Mid-ship) platform
New M45x AWD model with intelligent ATTESAä E-TS all-wheel drive (also available with M35x)
Quad-tipped dual exhaust pipes

Suspension, Steering and Braking

Double-wishbone independent front suspension
Multi-link independent rear suspension with available Rear Active Steer (Sport Package-equipped models)
Front and rear stabilizer bars
4-wheel vented disc brakes with 4-channel/4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
Power-assisted steering system with sport ratio
18-inch or 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and high-performance, low profile tires

Interior Features

Inviting interior with revised aluminum and wood trim
Large cabin space, able to fit five adult passengers comfortably
Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and available XM NavTraffic® (requires active XM subscription, sold separately)
In-dash 6-disc auto changer with MP3 and WMA compatibility (replaced by Music Server on Technology Package-equipped vehicle)
Available Boseâ Studio Surround™ sound system with digital 5.1-channel decoding and 14 speakers including two personal speakers mounted in the shoulders of each front seat
Standard XM Satellite Radio (requires XM® subscription, sold separately)
Standard leather-appointed seating
Standard 10-way power driver’s and front passenger’s seat
Standard climate-controlled front seats
Advanced “Fine Vision Meters” electroluminescent light system with new white instrument panel lighting with violet accents and white and violet interior lighting
Infiniti Intelligent Key system with push-button ignition
Infiniti Voice Recognition system
Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System
Standard HomeLink® Universal Transceiver
Power-sliding glass moonroof
Sport Package includes sport-bolstered and trimmed front seats, sport steering wheel and aluminum pedal accents
Available RearView Monitor with a wide lens view and new wheel trajectory view feature with directional guidelines that adjust based on steering input
Available Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
Available rear seat Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System with roof-mounted 8-inch screen, remote control and two sets of wireless headphones
Revised Stone colored interior

Safety and Security
Production debut of Infiniti’s Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system
Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor
Standard front-seat and roof-mounted front and rear curtain side-impact supplemental air bags
3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver’s seat ELR only)
Front seat belt adjustable upper anchors with pretensioners and load limiters
Front seat Active Head Restraints
Zone Body construction with energy-dispersing side structure
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) child seat anchorage system
Zone Body platform design, with front and rear crumple zones
Standard brake activated pre-crash front seat belts
Models and Manufacturing

Available in four models: M35, M35x AWD, M45 and M45x AWD
Exterior and interior designed at Nissan Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi, Japan
Assembled by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. at Tochigi, Japan