Awards & Reviews

2010 Infiniti Starting Lineup will include the QX, M, EX, FX, and G Models

 

 

Press Release:

The 2010 Infiniti Lineup - Charting the Changes

Following an aggressive slate of enhancements and additions in the previous model year, the most notable changes to the 2010 Infiniti lineup are found in the G Sedan and Coupe.  The G37 Sedan receives a new grille design and revised front and rear fascias.  Both the G37 Sedan and G37 Coupe feature mildly revised interiors, including new color and trim treatments and enhanced standard and option package content. 

 

Key changes to 2010 Infinitis include, but are not limited to, the following:

• QX - Simplified exterior color selections.  On sale NOW.
  

• M - Revised option package selection ancontent,simplified color selections.  On sale NOW.

• EX - Revised option package selection and content, standard heated front seats (EX35 AWD), enhanced audio and navigation system features, and revised exterior/interior color combinations.  On sale OCT 2009.

• FX - Revised option package selection and content, standard Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System (all models), enhanced audio and navigation features, simplified exterior/interior color combinations.  On sale OCT 2009.

• G Coupe - Revised interior colors and trim appearance, available next generation navigation system, new gauge color scheme and center console design, rain-sensing wipers and Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with Plasmacluster? air purifier added to Technology Package, revised Journey model content and one new exterior color.  On sale January 2010.

• G Sedan - New grille, front fascias (Base and Sport) and headlight treatments, new 17-inch wheels, revised interior colors and trim, available next generation navigation system, new gauge color scheme and center console design, rain-sensing wipers and Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with Plasmacluster? air purifier added to Technology Package, standard 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat and one-touch auto up/down rear windows on Base model, revised Journey model content and two new exterior colors.  On sale January 2010.

• G Convertible - The 2009 G37 Convertible went on sale in June 2009.  Information on the 2010 model will be available at a later date.

Following is a more detailed overview of Infiniti products for the 2010 model year:

2010 Infiniti QX56

The 2010 Infiniti QX56 continues to offer an outstanding combination of refinement, roominess, advanced technology and power - providing maximum utility and all-season versatility in a stylish, fully equipped full-size luxury SUV.  Its sophisticated body design is marked by a distinctive chrome "waterfall" style grille, High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights, Infiniti-style LED taillights, power sliding moonroof and power-operated rear liftgate.  

The QX interior features class-leading 2nd row legroom* and seating for up to eight with the optional 2nd row split bench seat.  The list of standard and available technology and luxury equipment includes leather-appointed seating, an Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with 7.0-inch LCD screen, XM® Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic® with real-time traffic information (XM® subscription required, sold separately), 12-speaker Bose® Premium Audio system with Burr-Brown DAC and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and power-folding 60/40 split 3rd row bench seat.  

Every 2010 QX56 comes with an advanced drivetrain, featuring a standard 5.6-liter V8 engine rated at 320 horsepower and 393 lb-ft of torque and refined 5-speed automatic transmission with tow mode.  A high-strength steel frame, 4-wheel power-assisted disc brakes, 9-spoke 20-inch chrome-finished aluminum-alloy wheels and auto-leveling 4-wheel independent suspension are standard on both 2WD and 4WD models.

The 2010 Infiniti QX56 is available in two-wheel drive (2WD) or with the Infiniti All-Mode 4WD® system.  It is on sale beginning late May 2009.  Changes for 2010 include:

Serengeti Sand and Lakeshore Slate exterior colors are no longer available

*Based on WardsAuto.com's Large Luxury Sport/Utility Class, with MSRP under $100,000.  2009 QX56 vs. 2008 competitors.

2010 Infiniti M

The Infiniti M mid-size premium performance sedan enters the last year in its current product cycle essentially unchanged from 2009, when it received a new 303-horsepower VQ35HR 3.5-liter V6 for the M35, a new 7-speed automatic transmission for the M35 RWD model and numerous other enhancements.

For 2010, the Infiniti M is again offered with a choice of 325-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 (M45) and 3.5-liter V6 engines (M35) and with rear-wheel drive or ATTESA E-TS? all-wheel drive.  It is available in four models total - M35 RWD, M35x AWD, M45 RWD and M45x AWD.  It goes on sale in September 2009.

The M remains a showcase of Infiniti's advanced safety technology, including Intelligent Cruise Control and the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, an advanced Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and available XM NavTraffic® (XM® subscription required, sold separately)

Changes for 2010 include:

Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System Package is now included as part of Premium Package

M35 Premium Package is no longer available (applies to both M35 and M35x)

African Rosewood interior trim is no longer available with Sport Package

Lakeshore Slate, Desert Shadow and Sahara Sandstone exterior colors are no longer available and Wheat interior is only available with Moonlight White and Black Obsidian exterior colors

2010 Infiniti EX

The 2010 Infiniti EX35 combines sports car style and performance, the 4-door convenience of a luxury sedan and the cargo area of an SUV - all wrapped up in a sleek, sculpted, elegant skin.  Like every Infiniti model, the EX35 emphasizes exhilarating driving performance, combining an advanced 297-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, standard 5-speed automatic transmission and available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.  

The 2010 Infiniti EX continues to offer an engaging interior environment with a long list of available features, including standard leather-appointed seating and RearView Monitor, and available driver's seat headrest coat hanger, advanced audio systems and power-folding 2nd row seat.  

EX offers a host of available technologies.  The Around View Monitor Package utilizes four small cameras located front, side and rear to give the driver a "top-down view" of the outside of the vehicle and help reduce blind spots when parking.  Other driving aids include Lane Departure Prevention system (LDP), Intelligent Cruise Control, Distance Control Assist (DCA) and Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning.  

The 2010 Infiniti EX35 goes on sale in OCT 2009.  

Changes for 2010 include:

Revised option package selection and content, including the addition of Around View Monitor to the Bose® and Around View Monitor Package and availability of navigation as a stand-alone package (previously part of Bose® and Navigation Package)

Standard heated front seats on EX35 AWD

Standard heated outside mirrors on EX35

Standard auto on/off headlights

Standard Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System on EX Journey models

Addition of optional Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS)

Addition of USB Connection Port with Infiniti Interface System for iPod® (standard on all models)

Addition of 2GB Music Box hard drive to the Bose® Premium Audio system on vehicles without the Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation system

Addition of Bluetooth® Streaming Audio, XM NavWeather® and Zagat® Restaurant Guide features to the Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation system (XM® subscription required, sold separately)

2010 Infiniti FX

The 2010 FX is available with a choice of a 390-horsepower 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) or with a 303-horsepower 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6.  Both engines are paired with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and available solid magnesium paddle shifters.

The FX is also offered with available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (standard on FX50), double-wishbone front/multi-link rear suspension and large 4-wheel disc brakes, along with available Continuous Damping Control (CDC)®, Rear Active Steer, Intelligent Brake Assist and 21-inch super lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels designed by Enkei.

Inside, the FX interior provides a warm, modern, inviting environment highlighted by a driver-oriented cockpit with intuitive controls, available sport seating and advanced audio, navigation and technology ranging from an 11-speaker Bose®-developed audio system to Infiniti Intelligent Key, available Intelligent Cruise Control (Full Speed Range) and available Around View Monitor system.

The 2010 FX is available in three models: FX50 AWD with 5.0-liter V8, FX35 AWD with 3.5-liter V6 and FX35 RWD with 3.5-liter V6.  It goes on sale OCT 2009.  

Changes for 2010 include:

Revised option package selection and content

Standard Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System (standard on all models)

Addition of USB Connection Port with Infiniti Interface System for iPod® (all models)

Addition of 2GB Music Box hard drive to the Bose® Premium Audio system on vehicles without the Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation system

Addition of Bluetooth® Streaming Audio, XM NavWeather® and Zagat® Restaurant Guide features to the Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation system (XM® subscription required, sold separately)

Simplified exterior/interior color combinations

2010 Infiniti G37 Coupe

For the 2009 model year, the G37 Coupe lineup expanded with the addition of a new G37x Coupe AWD model featuring Infiniti's "intelligent" ATTESA E-TS® all-wheel drive system.  For 2010, the major enhancements are found inside the seductively styled G Coupe body - with revised colors and model/option package content.

The 2010 G Coupe is available in four models - G37 Coupe, G37 Coupe Journey, G37S Coupe Sport 6MT and G37x Coupe AWD.  Every G37 Coupe comes equipped with a standard 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 with VVEL (for Variable Valve Event and Lift) rated at 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.

The engine is backed by a choice of an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with available magnesium paddle shifters or a responsive 6-speed manual transmission.  

The G37 Coupe's advanced platform and chassis also includes an available 4-Wheel Active Steer system (4WAS), which helps improve vehicle handling performance by adjusting both the front steering gear ratios and the rear suspension geometry according to steering input and vehicle speed.  Braking and handling is targeted to be among the best in the luxury sport coupe class.

The G37 Coupe also includes an extensive list of available technology features, including a touch screen navigation system with XM NavTraffic® Real-Time Traffic information (XM® subscription required, sold separately), RearView Monitor and an available 11-speaker Infiniti Studio on Wheels? by Bose® audio system with 24-bit Burr Brown DAC, 3-way door speaker arrays with 10-inch woofers and a 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive.  

The 2010 Infiniti G37 Coupe goes on sale in January 2010.  

Changes for 2010 include:

Revised interior colors and new aluminum interior trim appearance

New white gauge color scheme

New center console design with revised lower center stack on automatic transmission equipped models

New available next generation Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with all-new features, including higher resolution graphics, Zagat Survey® restaurant reviews, XM Weather® reports (in addition to XM NavTraffic®), Speed Limited Advisories and fastest-route-calculation based on statistical traffic data (XM® subscription required, sold separately)

New available Spanish language support for navigation displays and Voice Recognition functions

New rain-sensing wipers

New available Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) - automatically shuts outside air vents when exhaust fumes are detected, while its Grape Polyphenol Filter removes airborne allergens from the cabin and the Plasmacluster? air purifier uses charged ions to help reduce or neutralize airborne germs

HomeLink® Universal Transceiver and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System added to the Journey model

Heated seats and heated outside mirrors added to the Journey model

RearView Monitor now standard on the Journey model

2GB Music Box Flash Memory Music Server added to the Premium Package

Revised 18-inch wheel color (lighter)

One new exterior color

2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan

In 2009, the Infiniti G Sedan added a new, larger 328-horsepower 3.7-liter "VVEL" V6 and available 7-speed automatic transmission, along with available sport brakes, new 18-inch wheels and numerous other enhancements.  The G37 Sedan continues to be refined for 2010, with a number of additions and refinements to the exterior, interior and model/option package content.

The 2010 G37 Sedan is available in four models - G37 Sedan, G37 Sedan Journey, G37x Sedan AWD and G37S Sedan Sport 6MT.  Its strikingly seductive exterior continues to be defined by its sleek wave form hood, signature G-style taillights and raked A-pillars and athletic stance - along with new front and rear fascias, new grille, new headlight treatments and redesigned 17-inch wheels for 2010.  Inside, the G37 Sedan offers a crafted, heritage-inspired interior environment and luxury features such as standard leather-appointed seating and an available audiophile-quality Infiniti Studio on Wheels? by Bose®.

The G37 Sedan's advanced engine combines with the second-generation FM (Front Mid-ship) platform - featuring a 4-wheel independent suspension with lightweight aluminum components - to provide responsive acceleration and agile handling.  The G37x AWD adds Infiniti's "intelligent" ATTESA E-TS® all-wheel drive system.

Advanced technologies include standard Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and available RearView Monitor; a touch screen Infiniti Navigation System with XM NavTraffic® real-time traffic information and 9.3GB Music Hard Drive (XM® subscription required, sold separately); Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) and Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking.

The 2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan goes on sale in January 2010.  

Changes for 2010 include:

New grille design

New Base model front fascia with new headlight design and separated (from headlights) fog lights

New Sport model front fascia with integrated fog lights and "blacked out" sport headlights

New rear fascia

Revised interior colors

Revised aluminum interior trim

New white gauge color scheme

New center console design with revised lower center stack on automatic transmission equipped models

New available Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) - automatically shuts outside air vents when exhaust fumes are detected, while its Grape Polyphenol Filter removes airborne allergens from the cabin and the Plasmacluster? air purifier uses charged ions to help reduce or neutralize airborne germs

Standard 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat and one-touch auto up/down rear windows on Base model

New available next generation Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with all-new features, including higher resolution graphics, Zagat Survey® restaurant reviews, XM Weather® reports (in addition to XM NavTraffic®), Speed Limited Advisories and fastest-route-calculation based on statistical traffic data (XM® subscription required, sold separately)

New available Spanish language support for navigation displays and Voice Recognition functions

New available USB input plays music from a compatible iPod®, flash drive or other compatible mass storage device

HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and automatic anti-glare rearview mirror added to the Journey model  

Heated seats and heated outside mirrors added to the Journey model

RearView Monitor now standard on the Journey model

New Bluetooth® Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) included in Navigation Package - allow users to stream two-channel audio from a compatible device to the vehicle audio system

DVD-Video playback included in Navigation Package

2GB Music Box Flash Memory Music Server added to the Premium Package

New 17-inch wheel design and color  Two new exterior colors

Infiniti G37 Convertible

As the latest expression of Infiniti "Inspired Performance," the all-new Infiniti G37 Convertible is designed to rejuvenate the spirit with seductive styling and exciting performance - with a three-piece power retractable hardtop designed to look as good with the top up as down.  It went on sale at Infiniti dealers nationwide in June 2009.

The G Convertible offers an all-new design from the A-pillars back, including extensive structural reinforcements, a wider rear track, modified rear suspension and a special convertible-focused interior with available Bose® front seat Personal Speakers, wind deflector and climate-controlled front seats.
The inviting G Convertible interior includes standard leather-appointed seating, a special Bose® Open Air Sound System that dynamically changes equalization based on outside noise, vehicle speed, and top position, and an adaptive climate control system that adjusts fan speed in accordance to top position and vehicle speed.  

Technology features include standard RearView Monitor and an available touch-screen Infiniti Navigation system with XM NavTraffic® Real-Time Traffic information with 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive, Pre-Crash Seat Belts, Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking and Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS).

Every G Convertible comes equipped with a standard 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 with VVEL (for Variable Valve Event and Lift) rated at 325 horsepower.  The engine is backed by a choice of an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with available magnesium paddle shifters or a responsive close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.  The G37 Convertible Sport 6MT adds sport-tuned steering and larger sport brakes, along with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and W-rated performance tires.

 

  

Infiniti Prices 2010 M Luxury Sedan From $45,800

Infiniti's all-new 2011 M sedan may be just around the corner but the current model still has to soldier on until its arrival. The company today announced pricing on the outgoing 2010 M range, which has just hit showrooms all around thecountry. A special Sport Package (rear-wheel drive models only) adds an advanced 'Rear Active Steer' system, sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels and tires and unique body treatments. No major updates have been introduced for 2010 so thankfully prices have remained the same as last year.

This means that the range kicks off with the V-6 powered M35 at $45,800, with the M35x AWD next in line at $47,950 and the V-8 powered M45 starting at $52,150. Topping out the range is the flagship M45x AWD, which is priced from $54,650.

The only change for 2010 is that the Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System Package is now included only as part of the premium package on the M45, instead of as a stand-alone option. In addition, all models offer revised exterior and interior color selections and combinations.

The M35 models feature a 303 horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 with a 7-speed automatic transmission for the M35 and 5-speed automatic for the all-wheel drive M35x.  The M45 models utilize a 325 horsepower 4.5-liter V-8 and 5-speed automatic transmission.  Every amenities, including leather seating, Bluetooth hands-free and a premium audio system.

The 2010 Infiniti M is once again available in a choice of refined V-8 and V-6 engines and in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, as well with a selection of available premium, technology and sport packages--allowing buyers to select differing levels of performance, luxury and sportiness depending on personal tastes.

The Infiniti EX35 SUX Tops IIHS List of Safe Cars. Infiniti has finally joined the top safety ranked
cars!

The EX35 was recently given the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick.


PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 10, 2009 -

The new Infiniti EX35 CUV has earned the Top Safety Pick award (2008) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The luxury EX35 SUV is the first Infiniti to earn
this top safety award.  Cars that win the Top
Safety Pick afford superior overall crash
protection among the vehicles in their class. In
order to qualify for this award, a vehicle must
earn the highest ratings in the front, side, and
rear tests, provided by the Institute. The car
must also be equipped with Electronic Stability
Control (ESC). 

The Institute made the criteria to earn the
safety award tougher in 2007 by adding the
requirement that winners must have Electronic
Stability Control. This recent requirement was
based on the Institute's research that cars
with ESC are significantly reduced in the risk of
driver involvement in crashes.  The criteria to
win has been made tougher because the award is
intended to inspire safety advancements in new
cars. The EX35 has such improvements, like a top
crash test rating, and ESC (which comes
standard). 

The Infiniti EX35 has not only joined the top
safety ranked cars but is a leader in its class.
No matter what kind of crash you're going to be
in, you are guaranteed to be safe in the EX35.
It's important to choose a vehicle that will
protect you no matter what and the Top Safety
Pick from IIHS is intended to help people make the right andsafest choices. 

 

Top picks
Best models of the year in 10 categories

Last reviewed: April 2009

Of the more than 300 vehicles we've recently tested, our Top Picks are the best all-around choices in their categories. This year's list includes two new models: The Toyota Highlander is our new pick for midsized SUVs, unseating the Hyundai Santa Fe. And thanks to improved reliability, the Chevrolet Avalanche replaced the Chevrolet Silverado as our choice for pickups. See full Ratings, reliability and data on all Top Picks in our model overviews.

How we choose:   Top Picks must meet our criteria in three areas:

Road tests

Vehicles must rank at or near the top of their categories in our overall road-test score, which includes more than 50 individual tests and evaluations.

Reliability

Each must have an average or better predicted-reliability Rating, which is based on the problems Consumer Reports subscribers reported for more than 1.4 million vehicles in our latest Annual Auto Survey.

Safety

Top Picks must perform adequately in overall safety if tested by the government or the insurance industry. (For some models, we do not have enough crash-test data to assign an overall safety Rating.) In addition, each must offer electronic stability control (ESC), a proven lifesaving safety feature, as standard equipment or as a readily available option.

Infiniti G37

One of the highest-rated sedans we've tested, the G37 (formerly G35) combines sportiness and luxury in a very appealing package. It has a very lively powertrain, agile handling, a comfortable ride, and a nicely appointed interior. For 2009, it also has a larger, 328-hp, 3.7-liter engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission, which improves fuel economy. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. Price: $33,000 to $36,000.

The G is quick, sporty, and pleasant. For 2009, all trims get the 3.7-liter V6 and seven-speed automatic that improves fuel economy. The car is blistering quick, yet returns 21 mpg overall. While the V6 is a bit loud at high revs, the car is now quieter at highway speeds. Handling remains agile and predictable, with a taut yet compliant ride. The interior has high-quality materials and easy-to-use controls. But the cabin is a bit snug and the trunk is small. AWD is optional on both the coupe and sedan.

                                                                       

Car and Driver selects its "10 Best" 2009 cars

 

Unlike Motor Trend, which only looks at brand-new designs, Car and Driver considers past winners in its 10 Best competition. Eight of the 10 winners this year were repeats, with the Infiniti G37 and Jaguar XF unseating the Chevrolet Malibu and Mazda Speed 3 from last year's list. 

Although BMW still rules this class-entry-level luxury sports sedans and coupes.Infiniti keeps edging closer to parity with the Germans. A 2003, 2004, and 2007 10 Best winner, the G returns for 20009, thanks in large measure to the sedan's new 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 328 horsepower, an increase of 22 over the previous 3.5-liter six.

We're not immune to the appeal of more power, of course, but there's more to the G?s story than increased muscle. The power train team also improved the refinement of the V-6 and the engagements and feel of the six-speed manual transmission, putting it on par with, if not ahead of, the gearbox in BMW's 3-series. Similarly, the chassis engineers have maintained the G's agile handling while simultaneously taking the hard edge off the ride quality, a particularly welcome improvement in the firmer Sport edition.

The G coupe and sedan haven't changed much visually (though a convertible version is due in mid-'09). But that's not a demerit; styling has never been a weak suit. And the quality of interior appointments and features compares well with any car in this class.

Car and Driver does not select a winner in each market class, as the list of winners makes clear. Rather, they simply and unscientifically pick 10 cars that they really like. The winners are below:

Car and Driver 10 Best Cars
BMW 3-Series	Cadillac CTS
Chevrolet Corvette	Honda Accord
Honda Fit	Infiniti G37
Jaguar XF	Mazda MX-5 Miata
Porsche Boxster/Cayman	Volkswagen GTI

Road Tests

Comparison Test:

2009 Infiniti G37 Journey vs. 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD

Four Doors, No Compromises

By Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
Date posted: 11-16-2008

There comes a point in your life when change becomes essential. No longer is it acceptable to eat dinner directly from the cookware. Beanbag chairs are frowned upon. And, most of all, your friends are tired of being stuffed into the dank, musty backseat of your two-door coupe.

Sure, a coupe sometimes boasts an incrementally more structurally rigid body shell than a sedan, but it's a moot point when you consider how stiff modern cars are. You'd have to be Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton to discern the difference.

Sportiness transcends sheer door count when it comes to the desirability of a sedan these days, and two examples of this are the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD and the 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey. Sedans only in form and more coupelike in dynamic function, these two cars take their sporting credentials seriously.

Thinking About the Sport Sedanmakes an all-wheel-drive version of the G37, an all-season sedan that would appear to be the logical counterpoint to the all-wheel-drive Acura TL SH-AWD. But if you're talking pure performance, the honor goes to the 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey, the baddest G sedan in the land. And ifyou're choosing a pure sport sedan, this is the one you'd pick.

To wit, consider that the Journey is the only G37 sedan that can be had with the Sport package, which arms it with some serious hardware - summer tires and 18-inch wheels, a limited-slip differential, shift paddles for the transmission, bigger brakes, quicker steering and tauter suspension underpinnings. Our bright red G37 sedan test car came equipped with this Sport package as well as the Premium package and Navigation package, and its price totaled $41,265.

As with other Honda and Acura offerings, our $43,995 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD technically had no options because it is sold as a discrete model. In this case, this TL comes comprehensively equipped with everything from a navigation system to summer tires.

These cars represent two different approaches to growing up. The sport sedan that will come out on top in this comparison test must balance the inevitability of maturity with the cravings of your inner hooligan.

2nd Place: 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD
If you can avoid eye contact with the TL's Medusa face and make it into the TL's cabin without being turned to stone, you'll find its interior is a cut above the G37 both in spaciousness and in appearance.

The airiness of the TL's cabin derives from your sense of greater overall width, and its multifunction screen is set further back than the G37's touchscreen, so you don't feel as crowded by the dashboard. The various plastics and contrast-stitched leather are easier on the eye and to the touch. The rows upon rows of buttons on the center stack seem like an intimidating mess at first, but with seat time, however, their grouping and function makes sense.

In terms of thrust, the Acura never bests the Infiniti's ability to make a quick escape, despite the traction advantage afforded by the TL's all-wheel-drive system. Acura has found 305 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 273 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm within the TL's 3.7-liter V6, but it's not enough to get the TL to keep up with the Infiniti in a straight line.

Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that the TL is saddled with 250 pounds more and two fewer gears in its transmission, and the result is a 6.7-second run to 60 mph (6.2 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and a quarter-mile sprint of 15 seconds at 94.3 mph. Hardly
slow, but well off the pace set by the Infiniti G37.

Exercising the TL
With nearly 60 percent of the TL's 3,961-pound curb weight resting on the front tires, we were expecting the Acura's handling balance to tip on the side of relentless understeer. Surprise ? we were wrong.

The first time you bend the TL into a fast corner, you immediately realize that the TL SH-AWD doesn't simply punish the outside front tire relentlessly as you'd expect from its forward-biased weight distribution. Steering response from the front of the car is taut and sharp, and the TL sports an eagerness to change direction that belies its weight bias. It turns out that driving all four wheels has its advantages when it comes to handling.

Beyond simply improving traction, the TL's all-wheel-drive system effectively utilizes the rear wheels to manipulate the car's cornering attitude.

This reduces understeer and improves outright grip to the tune of 0.93g on our skid pad. The TL SH-AWD still likes to be driven tidily, but you can fling the TL around with zeal and come away grinning.

The rest of the chassis bits are willing participants as you explore these outer reaches of the TL's performance envelope. Body roll is minimal, and the quick-ratio steering faithfully communicates what the front tires are up to. Around center the steering feels slightly artificial, but as
electric-assist power steering goes, you could do worse than the TL.

We've noticed that the brakes in modern Hondas tend to wilt at the first sign of hard driving, yet the TL's brakes buck this trend. They haul the Acura to a halt from 60 mph in a scant 106 feet. This performance is matched by the G37, but the TL exhibits less brake fade than the Infiniti.

Perhaps this marks the turning of a new leaf for future Honda offerings.

During the TL's best slalom run of 67.8 mph, we observed that this maneuver highlighted some lag in the all-wheel-drive system's ability to react to sudden maneuvers. Out in the real world, however, the system's manners are unimpeachable, and AWD proves to be a key element in the TL's keenly capable and confidence-inspiring character.

1st Place: 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey
When you first slide behind the wheel of the 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey after soaking in the TL's cabin, your wow meter might droop a bit. The G37 lacks the breezy spaciousness and rich ambience of the TL, instead exuding a more traditional vibe. Likewise, the G's sheet metal is all soft, anonymous curves, as if the Pillsbury Doughboy penned them with a crayon made out of Silly Putty.

Don't be deceived. The G37 is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

The basics of the G37's 3.7-liter VQ-Series V6 might be familiar from various Nissan and Infiniti offerings, but summer camp at Club Ninja has toned the power plant's muscles. Now with 328 hp at 7,000 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm, it'll wind all the way to the fuel cutoff at 7,600 rpm. It's a shade raucous up there, but you'll hardly notice since you'll be busy passing everything in sight.

With this engine paired to a brilliant new seven-speed automatic, the G37 sports the mechanical equivalent of a gazelle's legs. It tears to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds (5.2 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) on its way to a quarter-mile sprint of 13.7 seconds at 102.8 mph.

Character of the G
Where the TL's chassis hardware is employed to ends that are highly effective yet somehow clinical, the G37's bits turn the Infiniti into an ass-kicking hoot. The G37 feels nimbler than its stout 3,704-pound curb weight would suggest, an impression confirmed by a quick 69.2-mph
slalom speed. Its ultimate grip of 0.91g on the skid pad trails the TL slightly, however.

The quick-ratio steering that comes as part of the Sport package works so well that it hardly attracts attention to itself, which is just the way it should be. It reinforces just how silly the optional four-wheel active steering system is (our test car didn't have it).

The combination of an automatic transmission and a car with sporting pretenses is usually a big letdown. Not so in the G-model. Like the TL, the G37 has shift paddles on the steering wheel and does the sporting blip of the throttle on downshifts. Yet the G37 won't spoil your fun even in auto
mode, because this G37 facilitates fast driving as well as simple outright speed.

You can simply leave the transmission in Drive if you like, because as you increase your entry speed in corners, the transmission instantly recognizes the situation and begins to hold gears with an aggression that's rare among slushbox hardware. When fun time is over and you want
to cruise, the G37's transmission reprises its Clark Kent persona. But by then the secret is out. In its adaptability, the G37 clearly has an enthusiasm for hard driving.

Likewise, the default setting of the G37's stability control system even allows for several degrees of slip angle on the tires before intervening.

It's a nice feature, since the classic rear-drive layout gives this Infiniti an attitude you can adjust with your right foot. This thing is serious fun.

No Dangling Chads Here
Yet all this extreme sport sedan stuff doesn't get in the way of civility where the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD and 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey are concerned. Both cars exhibit a certain suppleness when the roads prickle their backs, with the edge going to the more supple TL. The backseat in both cars provides the kind of legroom that makes long road trips a realistic proposition.

We have two very accomplished sport sedans in the TL and the G37, and their differences in character are more a matter of personal preference than in capability. The scoring was close enough between the two that the G37's $2,730 sticker price advantage took on increased significance.

Ultimately, though, the 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD couldn't claw its way back from the drubbing given to it by the sheer speed of the 2009 Infiniti G37. It doesn't hurt that the G37 really shrinks around its driver when you want it to and expands when you don't. In this respect, the G37 is the four-door sports car you always wanted, the car that lets you change and grow up without forgetting where you came from.

The Cars World Blog

Road Test 2009 Infiniti G37 Sport Sedan

BY ERIK JOHNSON
10/13/2008

Redesigned for 2007, the second-generation Infiniti G35 sedan was good. Really good. Good enough to get all up in the faces of the competition and fall only to the benchmark BMW 3-series in its last comparison test. Good enough to have been invited to join us for a 40,000-mile fling. Good enough, in fact, to have secured itself a place on our 2007 10 Best Cars list. But now it's dead. And we don't care.

We don't mourn too deeply, you see, because the G35 has been replaced for 2009 by the G37. It's still a second-gen G sedan, of course, but one that has been revised in several major areas.

Brains and Brawn: More MPG and More HP

Under the hood, the 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 has been kicked to the curb in favor of the 3.7-liter unit from the G37 coupe. The move adds 22 horsepower and variable valve timing to the sedan's arsenal, with output now standing at 328 galloping ponies. Torque rises by just one, to 269 pound-feet, but the smooth-spinning six serves up adequate grunt no matter where the tach needle is pointing.

Fuel economy is unchanged for the manual-transmission model, but the rest of the lineup (which now uses a seven-speed automatic in place of the old five-speed) sees gains of 1 mpg in the city and 2 on the highway to 18/26 for rear-wheel-drive cars and 18/25 for the all-wheel-drive G37x. We recorded our observed fuel economy, but then either a staffer took the logbook home for bathroom reading or a sticky-fingered Infiniti PR rep snatched it up in the middle of the night, because it?s gone now.

 Curiously, the additional power didn't do a lot for the G37 at the test track, where we logged a 0-to-60-mph time of 5.2 seconds and a quarter-mile run of 13.8 seconds at 104 mph. Although quick, those digits lag 0.1 second each behind the best runs posted by its 3.5-liter predecessor (5.1 seconds and 13.7 at 104 mph). Admittedly, the results of various G35 Sports ranged as high as 5.5 seconds to 60 and 14.1 seconds through the quarter, and our G37 was a nearly factory-fresh car with a green motor, so there's a chance the latest G could improve its results. Curb weight could also be a bit of a factor, as the G37 rang in at 3703 pounds, 120 pounds more than the slimmest G35 Sport we had previously weighed.

Maybe it didn't shine on the test track, but the G37 sedan does burn brightly in the refinement department, an area where the G35 fell decidedly short. Infiniti quelled the G?s buzzy engine and quivering shifter somewhat last year, but things are even better now, with the only hint of engine harshness at the lofty tiptop of the tach (redline is still 7600 rpm) rather than throughout.

The six-speed manual also seems better behaved, with less vibration than before. The throws remain short but high-effort, the latter a trait shared with the clutch. We also sampled the seven-speed automatic in a G37 Sport, and between mostly invisible full-auto operation, a well-programmed sport mode, and throttle-blipping, paddle-actuated downshifts, it's not a bad option for folks who don't want to row their own. Upshifts in manual mode could be smoother and more quickly effected, though.

It Takes More than a Big Engine to Catch a 3-series

Rear-drive G37 Sport models also swipe the G coupe's bigger brakes, with 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors squeezed by four- and two-piston calipers, respectively. (Non-Sport G sedans make do with 12.6-inch front and 12-inch rear binders.) The new setup continues the G tradition of serving up fade-resistant performance and lots of feel. Again, however, the revision didn't show up in the test numbers, with the G37 taking 160 feet to stop from 70 mph, compared with 157 feet for the G35. Frankly, either number is good; the car has great brakes.

The steering is also revised for rear-drive G37 Sports, as they adopt the G37 Sport coupe's quicker-ratio rack; it's talkative, lively, and accurate. We greatly prefer this setup to the steering in base and all-wheel-drive cars, which, in addition to being slower, sacrifices some feel. Infiniti claims the interior is tweaked a smidge, too, but the only immediately noticeable change is the switching of the seat-heater controls from toggle switches to rotary knobs. The cool "Washi" metal trim (inspired by handmade Japanese paper) and phenomenal steering wheel remain.

Enough Incremental Improvement for a Paradigm Shift?

Although the G37's changes don?t seem to add much quantitatively, they do make for a better car. The G?s largest and perhaps only handicap in its head-to-head meetings with the 3-series (its sometimes rough character) has been addressed. Although the ride can still border on too harsh, the balanced chassis, the awesome brakes, the big power, the tenacious grip, and the communicative steering are all still there. The newfound refinement might not be enough to finally vault the Infiniti over the BMW in a comparison test, but we're champing at the bit to find out.

Top 10 vehicles with highest resale value

With gas prices rising, fuel efficient vehicles are gaining worth

updated 11:25 a.m. ET, Thurs., Aug. 7, 2008

 

Online Article

You can't call them "good investments" because they inevitably depreciate. But the models in our ranking of the top 10 vehicles with highest resale value do amount to sensible purchases for the way they minimize the dollar losses associated with owning and maintaining a vehicle.

The models on our list retain a higher percentage of their original purchase price than any other car you can buy. But high gas prices are having a dramatic effect on prices - so much so that in just a matter of weeks, the list of the top 10 vehicles with the highest resale values will look different.

"Economy cars are improving," says John Blair, chief executive officer of Automotive Lease Guides (ALG), a market research firm headquartered in Santa Barbara, Calif. "The outlook for small, fuel-efficient vehicles is much brighter today versus a year ago. And the outlook on SUVs has changed dramatically in the other direction."

Basically, fuel efficient vehicles are gaining value and non-fuel-efficient vehicles are losing value.

So it's no surprise that the car that tops this ranking, the playful Mini Cooper, is one of the most fuel-efficient models on sale in the United States. It will hold more than 60 percent of its value after three years of ownership.

None of the models on our resale honor roll give up more than 15 percent of their purchase price per year through their first three years, based on data from ALG. And as automobile depreciation goes, that's as good as gold.

Even though rising fuel prices have caused fuel economy to have a greater impact on resale values, most of the models in our ranking don't ask you to sacrifice in the service of fiscal good sense. They are fun and rewarding to drive, each in their own way.

Some express youthful nonconformity, like the Scion xB, Nissan Rogue and Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, numbers 7, 9 and 10, respectively. The Infiniti G37 Coupe, BMW 1 Series and Audi S5, which rank second, third and tenth, combine sophistication with spirited energy.

1. Mini Cooper Base MSRP: $18,050  Residual value after 3 years: 62.7 %

2. Infiniti G37 Base MSRP: $34,900  Residual value after 3 years: 60.6 %

3. BMW 1 Series  Base MSRP: $28,600 Residual value @ 3 years: 59.6 %

4. Jeep Wrangler 4WD Base MSRP: $18,980  Residual value @ 3 years: 59.0 %

5. Volkswagen R32   Base MSRP: $32,990 Residual value @ 3 years: 58.8 %

6. Honda CR-V AWD Base MSRP: $20,700 Residual value @ 3 years: 57.9 %

7. Scion Xb  Base MSRP: $15,650  Residual value after 3 years: 57.8 %

 

8. Honda Civic Hybrid Base MSRP: $22,600  Residual value after 3 yrs:
56.8 %

 

9. Nissan Rogue AWD Base MSRP: $19,430 Residual value after 3 yrs:56.4 %

 

10. (tie) Audi S5 Base MSRP: $50,500 Residual value after 3 years: 55.8 %

 

 (tie) Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible Base MSRP: $23,125 Residual value  after 3 years:55.8 %

Special Report - Ward's 10 Best Engines
By Bill Visnic
WardsAuto.com, Jan 2, 2008 9:33 AM

Winners

1. Audi AG: FSI 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4
2. BMW AG: 3.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-6
3. Daimler AG: 3.0L DOHC V-6 Turbodiesel
4. Ford Motor Co.: 4.6L SOHC V-8
5. General Motors Corp.: 3.6L DOHC V-6
6. General Motors Corp.: 6.0L OHV V-8 Hybrid
7. Honda Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.5L SOHC V-6
8. Mazda Motor Co. 2.3L Turbocharged DOHC I-4
9. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.: 3.7L DOHC V-6
10. Toyota Motor Corp.: 3.5L DOHC V-6

By now, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.'s all-conquering VQ
V-6 architecture needs no introduction.

The 3.7L variant's 2008 10 Best Engines award
marks the 14th consecutive win for the VQ, and it
is the only engine to win every year of the
competition's history.

The VQ "brand" was established in 1995 on the
pillars of landmark refinement and ultra-low noise, vibration and harshness levels.(NVH)

 
Like many rivals, however, Nissan has not
resisted the temptation to increase displacement,
and over the years it grew into three distinct
iterations: the original and oh-so-smooth 3.0L,
the 3.5L introduced in 2002 (and still powering
the majority of models from Infiniti) and the new 3.7L DOHC V-6
(VQ37VHR), which wins the 10 Best Engines award
for 2008 and for now is available exclusively in
the '08 Infiniti G37 Coupe.

In the quest for punchier power and torque
numbers, the move to 3.5L was, to our senses, a
tradeoff that peeled back on the VQ's signature
refinement. But when the company's engineers
unleashed the HR (High Rev) generation last year,
many of the design changes - a structural ladder
frame in the block, larger crank journals and
asymmetric piston skirts, to name a few - had the
tertiary effect of improving NVH while enabling
higher, more satisfying engine speeds.

Now the stroked 3.7L variant of the VQ's HR
design enjoys the same, only more so. Our
favorite: the sweet sting of 330 hp, a power
improvement of almost 10% compared with the
VQ35HR. 

A little perspective helps, too. The latest VQ
V-6's 330 hp is 30 horses stronger than Ford
Motor Co.'s standard 4.6L Mustang V-8.

A prime goal was permitting engine speeds even
higher than the 3.5L HR variant. Here, Infiniti's
octane-crazed engineers didn't mess around. The
hair-raising new redline of 7,500 rpm is
effortlessly and smartly accessed with almost no
adverse auditory or tactile sensations.

Nissan says about 35% of the parts are unique to
the 3.7L VQ, and the major new addition is the
electronically adjusted variable valve lift
(Variable Valve Event and Lift), imparting a
"throttleless" effect not unlike BMW AG's
Valvetronic, which also markedly reduces pumping
losses by essentially throttling the engine with
the intake valves.

Even with the efficiency claims for VVEL, we
believe fuel economy, at 17 mpg in the city and
26 mpg  on the highway is hardly encouraging, and
is one of our few complaints about the 3.7L DOHC V-6.

But this latest 3.7L variant of Infiniti's special
VQ V-6 may be the best in 14 years and is a
magnificently focused engineering effort

Best Under-$50K Luxury Cars

Jacqueline Mitchell 02.05.08

2009 M35 Sedan

Standard features include African rosewood trim, climate-controlled front seats with internal ventilation, an advanced airbag system with seat belt sensors, and leather-appointed 10-way power driver and passenger seats with adjustable lumbar system. Options include an eight-speaker premium audio system, 19-by- 8.5-inch aluminum alloy wheels, power reclining and heated rear seats, power rear sunshades, and a lane departure prevention and warning system for drowsy and distracted drivers.

M sedan & EX35
J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Award

The J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study has named the Infiniti EX the "Highest Ranked Entry Premium Vehicle in Initial Quality" & The Infiniti M the "Highest Ranked Midsize Premium Car in Initial Quality"

                     J.D Power & Associates video




Best New Feature:

Lane Departure Prevention

Where you can find it: Infiniti  M35/M45 - EX35 -FX35/FX50

Infiniti's Lane Departure Prevention builds on conventional lane-departure warning systems, which detect lane markings and sound a chime if you drift astray. LDP goes one step further by gently applying the brakes to certain wheels to nudge you back on course. Sound too intrusive? We tried it out in the EX35 and it keeps a remarkably low profile. Hit the turn signal or steer the wheel slightly, and the system deactivates. On straight roads, it intervenes with just a hint of deceleration, and the dashboard chime alerts you of its actions. For its effectiveness and low profile, LDP is the winner.

Lane Departure Prevention Video


Around View Monitor

Where you can find it: Infiniti FX35/FX50 - EX35

Let's be clear on one thing: Infiniti's Around View Monitor ain't pretty. With cameras mounted on each side of the car, its fish-eye, top-down view distorts any three-dimensional object nearby. But is it effective? You bet. With a 360-degree view of exactly what's around your car, it reduces getting into narrow parking spots and crowded alleys to a science. Even the best front-and-rear sonar systems can't replicate this. You have to see it - and park it - to believe it.

2009 Infiniti QX56 - What the Auto Press Says

The 2009 Infiniti QX56 ranks 8 out of 11 Luxury Large SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 39 published reviews and test drives of the Infiniti QX56, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The QX56 has ample engine power, but some interior materials and cramped cargo room disappoint, and some might find the styling too boxy.

The Infiniti QX56 is an unremarkable-looking SUV that offers comfortable seating for seven or eight and a powerful, refined ride. Despite its somewhat bland exterior, the QX56 has good performance and reliability.  As sales of large SUVs continue to slide, buyers should be in a strong bargaining position. 

• "Instead of heavy breathing and hey-lookit-me decoration, the Infiniti delivers impeccable manners behind a forgettable face." Car and Driver
• "The 2008 model year marks a redesign for the full-size Infiniti QX56, with new exterior features, interior enhancements and a range of new standard amenities and technology." Road and Track
• The QX56 "might be the most luxurious, comfortable and stylish SUV on the road today." Forbes

QX56 Performance - 8.1 (Very Good)

The Infiniti QX56 is a powerful SUV that moves well for its size. The Chicago Sun-Times says the QX56 "has remarkably good steering, handling and braking for such a big fella." 

Acceleration and Power

Most reviewers agree that the Infiniti QX56 delivers impressive power and good acceleration. The 5.6-liter V8 engine makes 320 horsepower and 393 lb-ft of torque, and is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Not surprisingly, fuel economy of the QX56 is low. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the 2WD model to get 12 miles per gallon in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. The 4WD should get 12/17 city/highway.

QX56 Exterior - 6.1 (Mediocre)

Reviewers aren't terribly impressed by the QX56's exterior. AutoWeek thinks, "The crooked roof-line gives the SUV the look of a cap welded askew on the back of a pickup -- which it is, sort of." 

QX56 Interior - 8.2 (Very Good)

The interior of the Infiniti QX56 has plenty of room and comfort, but some reviewers think the materials should be nicer for this price point.  "There's seemingly enough room for an NBA starting team to stretch out," writes the Chicago Sun-Times, "although it helps to have NBA agility to climb in and out of this 78-inch-high vehicle."  

Standard Infiniti Navigation System with Hard Drive database, Birdview? Vehicle Information System with 6.3-inch LCD screen; includes navigation, audio and climate-control displays; trip computer (elapsed time, distance and average speed) and maintenance reminder XM Nav Traffic.

QX56 Safety

The 2008 Infiniti QX56 gets good scores in government crash tests.  The QX56 is equipped with many of the same safety features as others in its class. The 2009 QX56 receives five out of five stars for driver safety and four out of five stars for passenger safety in frontal crash tests. Side crash tests have not been performed. Both the 2WD and 4WD models get three-star rollover ratings.

Accident Avoidance

Standard on the 2008 QX56 are anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist. The optional all-wheel drive system also helps to maintain grip on slippery surfaces. A rear view camera protects against accidents in while backing up and a tire pressure monitoring system helps the driver keep tabs on any issues that might develop in the tires.

Crash Protection

The QX56 comes equipped with dual-stage front air bags, side-impact air bags, and curtain air bags, as well as a passenger-classification sensor.

User Reviews

  9.8 Overall Rating
  9.7 Styling
  9.6 Performance
  9.7 Interior
  9.7 Quality
10.0                 Recommendation

Infiniti FX Dominates BMW X6 in Motor Trend Comparison


Motor Trend asked the question "Which fashion-forward sport/UTE rules the runway?" The answer was casy-to-find places." Once again, it looks like the FX's redefining of the crossover has yielded convincing results.

Infiniti transforms the crossover again. The all-new 2009 FX luxury performance crossover fuses thrilling performance and bold styling with rewarding luxury and versatility. It is a viscerally rewarding experience built around space and flexibility to facilitate an active, impassioned life.

Its brave new design is both more progressive and more organic with details like functional side air vents to deliver even greater aerodynamic performance. Its intensified power is generated by a new 390-hp V8 matched to a 7-speed automatic transmission. And its dynamic handling is elevated by a suspension that self-adjusts for performance or comfort, and exclusive Rear Active Steer for quicker, more stable steering.

Designed to make life in the FX as easy as it is thrilling, the FX introduces technology to fight traffic for you: Intelligent Cruise Control (Full Speed Range) and Distance Control Assist monitor to maintain your distance from the car ahead at low speeds. The FX also offers Infiniti's Around View Monitor*, which provides a virtual 360-degree view around your FX on the in-dash monitor. * Click to see a You Tube video.

Driven: Infiniti gives M35 more firepower for 2009

Posted Oct 9th 2008 7:58PM by Michael Harley
 

We slid behind the wheel of the 2009 Infiniti M35 S last week in Napa, California. It was a quick jaunt, but we wanted to try out the newly revised power plant under the hood. Yes, even thought the nomenclature remains the same, the Japanese automaker has swapped out the mass of aluminum up front for something a bit more updated and powerful. Find out how the 2009 Infiniti M35 S did after the jump.

Since its introduction, the M35 has featured Nissan's familiar VQ35DE 3.5-liter V6 rated at 275-hp. For 2009, Infiniti has replaced it with the newer VQ35HR 3.5-liter V6 rated at 303-hp (it's the same "VVi" engine found under the hood of the '08 G35 sedan). While horsepower is up, torque is down slightly to 262 lb-ft (it was 268 lb-ft). We hardly think '09 M35 owners will care, as the new engine comes with a new slick-shifting seven-speed electronically-controlled transmission that should decrease 0-60 times by a couple of tenths, especially with its new Drive Sport shift mode. Best of all, fuel economy is up from 16/23 (city/highway) to 17/25 for 2009. Interestingly enough, the all-wheel drive M35x will get the new engine, but it retains last year's five-speed automatic and fuel economy stays the same. The V8-powered M45 carries forward without significant mechanical changes.

You are probably wondering why the '09 M35 didn't get the 328 hp VQ37VHR 3.7-liter like its slightly smaller sibling, the '09 G37 Sedan. We are betting that there is an all-new M Series replacement on the horizon (2010 model maybe?) set to debut as the M37. In addition, had Infiniti dropped that sweet engine under the hood now, it would have been stepping on some toes -- namely those on the foot of the V8-powered 325-hp M45. Then Infiniti would have needed to bump that car up to the M50... ah, you get the picture. The automaker has chosen to hold off for now and keep us all waiting.

 

In our brief spin around wine country, the M35 "S" (the Sport Package adds rear active steer, sport suspension, 19-inch wheels, etc...) proved comfortable and competent. Our seat-of-the pants accelerometer said it was quick, and it handled with confidence, but it was far from being as sporty as Infiniti's G lineup. The new transmission does make a difference in the driving experience as shifts are smooth and perfectly timed. Overall, the M35 still competes strongly in the segment against the BMW 535i, Mercedes-Benz E350, and Lexus GS 350. In addition to the aforementioned engine and transmission transplants, all '09 M models receive auto speed-sensing door locks and Infiniti's Scratch Shield "self-healing" paint. Infiniti will offer the M Series in four flavors for 2009: M35 RWD, M35x AWD, M45 RWD and M45x AWD. You can check out the new M35 in showrooms this month.