Infiniti M
The Infiniti M is a line of mid-size luxury cars from the Infiniti luxury division of Nissan. From 2013 on it has been marketed as the Infiniti Q70, reflecting the company's later naming formula.
The first iteration was the M30 Coupé/Convertible, rebadged variants of the JDM Nissan Leopard. After a hiatus, the M nameplate was used for Infiniti's short-lived mid-luxury M45 sedan, a rebadged version of the Japanese-spec Nissan Gloria and Infiniti's subsequent flagship M35/45 and M37/56/35h/30d, based on the JDM Nissan Fuga.
First generation (1989–1992)
The Infiniti M30 was a 2-door coupé based on the Japanese market Nissan Leopard. It was launched in 1989 for the 1990 model year as a lower-priced alternative to the Infiniti Q45, and was intended to be an alternative to the Acura Legend coupe and to a lesser extent the Lexus ES 250, as it was also a lower-priced alternative to the Lexus LS400, although the ES 250 was only offered as a 4-door sedan.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The M30's angular design aesthetics and on-road performance were viewed as outdated, especially considering a redesigned Acura Legend coupe was launched in 1991. The interior came in for criticism for its outdated ergonomics and lack of room.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.
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. 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 defroster feature used on the coupe was removed, and buttons to raise and lower the convertible top were put in place of the rear window defroster 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.
Technical
Power came from Nissan's VG30E V6, which produced at 6000 rpm, and of torque at 3500 rpm. All M30s had 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 coupe, and 3,523 lb 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, 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. A sonar sensor mounted underneath the front bumper scanned the road surface ahead of the vehicle and instantly changed damping based on varying road surfaces, using individual actuators on all shock absorbers. A center console-mounted switch allowed drivers to choose between Comfort and Sport suspension modes. All M30s used MacPherson struts for the front wheels, and a semi-trailing arm rear suspension with coil springs for the rear.
Second generation (2002–2004)
M45 was designed in 2000 at the Nissan Technical Center in Atsugi, Japan; was manufactured in Tochigi, Japan; 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 VK45DE V8, producing and of torque, which it shared with the Infiniti's flagship Q45.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 the Nissan Z32 300ZX, and Nissan 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 Nissan Z33 350Z, where the spring is mounted independent of the shock/strut, and sits directly on the lower arm, in a spring cup.
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.
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.
Third generation (2005–2010)
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 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.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 3.5 L V6 in the M35, or the Q45's 4.5 L V8 in the M45.
While shorter than the last Q45 at, the M offered greater interior space, performance, a rear multilink suspension and front double wishbone, and improved ergonomics as well as a 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, while the M35 also received strong reviews. 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. 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. Out of that year's 81000 Infiniti cars sold, only 10000 were of the M nameplate. 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.