What Changed for 2008:

• Revised front and rear fascia, grille, deck lid and taillights


• Revised interior styling


• Available Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)


• New ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive (AWD) option for M45


• New 18- and 19-inch wheel designs


• Available 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for music storage


• New rain-sensing wipers


• Six new exterior colors

Overview
Infiniti first introduced the “M” in 1990—the same year Infiniti debuted as an automotive brand. The 6-cylinder M30, a re-badged coupe or convertible Nissan Leopard, was sold for just three years in the U.S. until it was pulled from the lineup. In 2003, Infiniti revived the M with the introduction of the 8-cylinder M45, itself a re-badged Nissan Gloria. In 2006, Infiniti launched the new “M”, an all-new, clean-sheet design built on Nissan’s FM (Front Mid-ship) platform. The M was offered with a choice of 6- or 8-cylinder engine and a generous level of standard equipment. For 2008, Infiniti has revised the exterior and interior styling, increased available options, and added an all-wheel-drive option to the M45.

Model Lineup
Infiniti offers the 2008 M in four different models: M35, M35x AWD, M45 and M45x AWD. The M35 is a rear-wheel-drive, 6-cylinder sedan. The M35x AWD is identical in chassis and engine, but with AWD. The M45 is a rear-wheel-drive (RWD), 8-cylinder sedan. The M45x AWD shares the chassis and engine with the M45, but for the first time in 2008, it is available with an AWD powertrain.

Designed and built in Japan, the 5-passenger sedan offers a mix of luxury and sport. Standard features include leather seating, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 160-watt, 6-speaker audio system with XM radio and Bluetooth. The Luxury package adds African Rosewood accents to the interior. The Sport package, available on only the RWD models, adds Rear Active Steer, sport-tuned suspension, sport front seats, sport steering wheel, aluminum pedal accents, sport body styling, and 19-inch wheels.

Several technology-based option packages are available. The Technology package adds an upgraded Bose stereo, DVD-based navigation with voice recognition, a RearView monitor and a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive. The Advanced Technology package upgrades the Bose radio to a 5.1 channel Studio Surround system, adds the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, and adds a DVD-video to the center console.

Powertrain
The 2008 Infiniti M is available with one of two engines. The M35/M35x features a 24-valve, 3.5-liter V-6 engine rated at 275 hp and 268 lb.-ft. of torque (EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city/22-23 mpg highway). The M45/M45x offers a larger, 32-valve, 4.5-liter V-8 engine rated at 325 hp and 336 lb.-ft. of torque (EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city/20-21 mpg highway). Both engines are mated to a standard 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. Every 2008 Infiniti is offered with a 4-year/60,000-mile basic coverage warranty, and 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain coverage.

Safety
Driver and front passenger in all 2008 Infiniti M models benefit from advanced air bag technology including dual-stage front air bags, front-seat-mounted side air bags, and front and rear side curtain air bags (protecting all outboard passengers). Front seat belts are equipped with pre-tensioners and load limiters. Rear seats are fitted with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system. Standard active safety systems on the Infiniti M models include anti-lock brakes (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with traction control (TCS), and a direct-reading tire-pressure-monitoring system. The 2006-07 Infiniti M35/M45 was crash tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The frontal offset and side-impact crash ratings were both “Good”: the highest rating the Institute offers.

Technology
While the M35x has offered Nissan’s full-time ATTESA E-TS AWD since it was launched, 2008 marks the first year Infiniti has offered the system on the V-8-powered M (designated the M45x AWD). The advanced AWD system, originally developed for the exotic Skyline GT-R, is configured with RWD bias under normal conditions. While the vehicle is in motion, a 16-bit microprocessor monitors ABS sensors for wheel slippage, while a G-sensor monitors lateral and longitudinal inputs. If a loss of traction is sensed, the ECU sends power instantly to the wheels with traction—automatically varying the torque as needed. Unlike “reactive” AWD systems that must wait for a significant loss of traction before responding, the ATTESA E-TS system responds nearly immediately to offer a much smoother transition of power, according to Nissan. This advanced AWD system works in conjunction with the TCS and VDC to provide high starting traction, smooth acceleration and vehicle stability, the automaker adds.