Infiniti M is a phrase often uttered here in the UK, as in "Infiniti? Em..." But we're assured that by September the first UK Infiniti Centre will be opened (near junction 11 of the M4), finally giving off-kilter execs a sweet premium alternative to Lexus.
The Infiniti M is the Japanese brand's mid-size executive, which will sit above the G saloon range and become the sixth model in the maker's line-up when it goes on sale in Spring 2010. The pictures you see here are from its 'virtual' unveiling at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, during which images of the newcomer were projected onto a massive screen at the posh event ahead of its actual world debut at the
Geneva Motor Show next year.
It's early days then, so we don't know much about the M, although Nissan has revealed it will come in two versions. One is called the M37 and it's powered by the same 3.7-litre V6 found in the G37, which in that application produces 317bhp from six cylinders. There'll be a 400bhp-plus M56 V8 for the States, though we're unlikely to get that, instead having to make do with a BMW 530d-rivalling 'V6 performance diesel', as Nissan puts it.
It's actually the third-generation M car for those who've had Infiniti for some time (namely America), but for us it's Nissan's first attempt to break into the executive market - and it's been a long time coming too. There's no word on prices just yet, but we can expect a Lexus-like tack: price it similarly to its German peers but load it with standard kit.
There's a new 'blind spot intervention' system, for example, which basically stops the driver from ploughing into another car during a lane change (hence the headline, in case you were wondering), and we're also promised an 'advanced climate control system'. Of course, we'll keep you posted as and when more news comes in ahead of its Geneva debut.
Mark Nichol - 17 Aug 2009