The female species isn’t typically thrown into the obsessed gearhead club. But they do know fashion and the importance of accessorizing.
My wife calls them “bright shiny objects.” The right or wrong ornament can either add the final coup de grace or diminish the desired look. It’s like wearing a nice suit with clip-on ties or drab shoes. A great outfit is based on the entire ensemble. Anything out of whack draws attention that something’s amiss versus welcome admiration.
The same theory applies to cars. Pop on some shimmering rims and bold chrome exhaust tips and watch the heads turn. If a high-class ride is saddled with proportionally budget-sized wheels, the ratio simply doesn’t fit and dulls sexy cars into loaners. Manufacturers know this and showcase their new models in ads with gleaming, exotic and intoxicating racy dishes of metal and sporty accouterments. The wife even agrees these are the honey luring us to “purchase quickly” status.
The new 2011 Infiniti M37 offers a stellar package of the manufacturer’s “double wave design”, powerful performance, a luxurious interior and gadgets galore. And it’s simply magnificent when paired with the optional “bright shiny” five-spoke, 20-inch aluminum alloy rims and low profile performance tires. It’s that accessory that’ll snap heads fast.
SKIN
Our tester arrived in deep Black Obsidian paint. Gone are the angular boxy lines, replaced with more sultry curves than a centerfold. From certain angles, its styling borrows from Maserati’s sumptuous visual cues. The 2011 M is bigger than its predecessor, but its figure hides the added size well. The front is sporty and bold, and the upturned rear adds to the overall look. I think the model looks best in Liquid Platinum silver (as shown in Infiniti’s ads), which better showcases the car’s silhouette and lines.
The wheel wells and bulging fender flares are also much larger – hence my prodding to upgrade to bigger rims to fill the added space. They perfectly complete the M37’s stunning package.
PERFORMANCE
My ears perked immediately to the sweet engine rumble, signaling the formidable motor was dying to be driven – hard. The M37 is 3.7 liters of power-packed fun offering 330 horses and 269 lbs of torque. You could opt for the M56 and its robust 5.6-liter V8, but given the M37’s impressive capabilities it may not be necessary.
While larger, the taut M37 drives smaller than it looks and flat out flies. It’s surprisingly nimble, sporty and the seven-speed automatic Adaptive Shift Control up and downshifts perfectly, especially in Sport Mode. You can switch from Standard, Snow or even green-lovin’ Eco Mode – offering the odd sensation of pushing the accelerator against your foot to inhibit lead-foot starts.
However, even with all its sports performance capabilities, the car cruises quite well. I normally like to push testers but sometimes a man just wants to chill in luxury. And the M37 gets decent gas mileage of 21 city and 31 highway. I coaxed 24 mpg overall in Standard mode and 22 in spirited Sport settings. That’s much better than the old model.
The M predominately arrives in rear-wheel drive, as driving enthusiasts in the Sunbelt regions won’t need the optional X (all-wheel drive). Plus, the Snow Mode already helps in slippery conditions. And, for a big ride, the car has an incredibly small turning radius.
CABIN
When a car company blares its trumpets over a new design, you hope everything is better than the replaced model. The new M delivers big on that promise. As with the exterior, the updated cabin is wider but feels inviting and warm like a high-tech womb.
The materials are luxurious and the dash and doors mirror the outside’s graceful flows. The higher roofline (even with the standard moonroof) could house a NBA power forward comfortably, yet somehow keeps its sleekness rather than resembling a double-decker bus.
The vented leather seats are supportive and can be optioned to heat and cool. The wheel is adorned with volume, menu and cruise control buttons. You can choose wood grain or even real silver powder etched into the trim. Storage is ample and the center console has two trays to store your stuff and iPod interface. The optional illuminated kick plates are a nice touch.
All control buttons have a terrific tactile feel, are simple to understand and easy to reach. The instrument panel is vibrant and crystal clear. The screen changes immediately upon request with zero lag between radio formats. One wishes all tech designers could marry form and function as well as Infiniti’s engineers.
An optional Touring Package (not on the tester) adds Bose 5.1 Surround Sound, upgraded leather, power rear sunshade and the unique Forest Air System that recreates natural breezes, controls humidity, and monitors external pollutants to modify air quality intake (automatically switching to recirculation mode). It also reduces allergens and even stinky cabin odors.
TECH CHECK
Infiniti continues to impress the finicky techno-lover. The optional and worthy Premium Package includes a gorgeous high-res VGA 8-inch display controlled via touch, buttons or voice. I found it extremely easy to navigate. Included are NAV, Bose 10-speaker Premium Audio, XM Real-Time Weather, climate-controlled front seats, heated steering wheel, Voice Recognition and a 9.3GB hard drive. The NAV is one of the best in the biz. You can select points of interest (all the golf courses were listed) and restaurants by Zagat ratings. The backup camera includes tracker lines to alert you if you’ll clear whatever is lurking behind. Bluetooth is standard.
Like most in its class, the M37 offers several safety protectors in its optional Technology Package including Blind Spot Intervention, Auto Distance Control and Lane Departure Prevention. It’s worthy if you desire the constant nudge to drive safer. If forced to choose, I’d opt instead for the Sport Package with the 20-inch rims, tuned suspension, better-bolstered seats, a more aggressive front fascia and paddle shifters on the wheel. The Sport Pack’s goodies are the perfect fit for a luxury sedan begging to be driven with earnest purpose.
The M37 is a terrific option for the buyer wanting to swim in upscale waters. It’s bigger and more luxurious than previous models, while still providing the spirited drive one expects from the I-team. Infiniti has long obsessed competing with their formidable European foes in the treacherous and very picky premium market segment. The new M37 proves Infiniti is now on equal turf judging from the nervous glances from across the pond.
Test-drive the M37 at Crest Infiniti in Plano.
SCORECARD
Golf bags: Two
Curbside appeal: Luxurious and very sporty with a hint of Italian sexiness.
0-60: Under six seconds
Must-haves: Premium and Sport packages
Warranty: 4 years/60,000 miles
Base price: $46,250
Price as tested: $54,010
|
