Car Gazing
M45 has Q power without a bloated price
By Derek Price
When it comes to mid-size luxury cars with beefy V8 power, there are plenty
of choices including stalwarts like the Mercedes E-class, Audi A6, BMW
5-series and Jaguar S-type.
All those are great cars, but in V8 trim they can get rather pricey – well
over $50,000 in most cases.
For those who want highly refined V8 performance and stylish luxury at a
price that's not so sickening, Infiniti offers the all-new M45. Priced
around $42,000, it has the same incredible V8 as its more expensive Q45
stablemate, along with a sporty suspension and classy, comfortable interior.
Think of it as an athletic Q without all the bells and whistles.
Compared with the flagship Q, the M45 has a stiffer suspension that keeps it
more closely aligned with the great European sport sedans – and makes it
much more fun to drive, especially with the traction control turned off. It
also has more responsive steering and a completely new body that exudes
classic American style.
But, the heart of the M45 is its award-winning 4.5-liter, aluminum intensive
V8 engine that makes a buttery smooth 340 horsepower. No matter where you
mash the accelerator – on the highway, in a corner or at a stoplight – the
engine is always anxious to send loads of power instantly to the rear wheels
for a thrilling, inspiring jolt.
Equally impressive is the sporty handling afforded by a fully independent
suspension adapted from the Q45. While it does allow some body roll, it
keeps the 3,850-pound car firmly planted in corners and provides a decent
amount of driving feedback without jarring passengers.
There are no complaints about the five-speed automatic transmission, also
taken straight from the Q45, that offers perfectly smooth shifts under
virtually all conditions.
Inside, M45 comes standard with leather seats, real bird's eye maple trim, a
10-way power adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control,
a terrific Bose stereo and an LCD screen to control all the gadgets.
Some high-tech options include a navigation system, XM or Sirius satellite
radio, a larger 7-inch display, and intelligent cruise control that
automatically adjusts the M45's speed to keep a set following distance from
another vehicle.
There are only two gripes about the interior – the back seat doesn't have
enough leg room, and the computerized control system can be difficult to
operate. Commands that should be simple, like adjusting the blower to
defrost the windshield, take multiple button pushes and several glances at
the LCD screen before they're complete. This isn't the direction technology
should take us.
Aside from those quibbles, there's little not to like about the M45. It has
plenty of head and hip room, a large and deep trunk, high-quality interior
materials, and perfectly located controls for the driver and passengers.
That, coupled with inspiring V8 performance, shows that Infiniti is clearly
giving Europe a run for your money.
(Derek Price is a newspaper editor and freelance writer living in Texas.
Contact him at dprice@cargazingonline.com)
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