2008 Infiniti M Press Kit: At a Glance

Just two years after its highly successful introduction, the Infiniti M receives major upgrades for 2008 that include the first-ever availability of Infiniti’s intelligent ATTESAä E-TS all-wheel drive system on the 4.5-liter V8-powered M45.  The new model, designated M45x, joins the M35x to provide buyers with two choices in all-climate AWD performance.

Other enhancements for 2008 include revised interior and exterior styling and added luxury amenities and technologies, including the production debut of Infiniti’s newest safety technology, the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system.  For 2008, previous M Sport models have been replaced by an available Sport Package, which includes unique exterior and interior styling, Rear Active Steer (RAS) and 19-inch wheels and tires.

LDP takes Infiniti’s existing Lane Departure Warning system (currently implemented on the FX and the 2007 M sedan) one step further by utilizing the Vehicle Dynamic Control to apply slight brake pressure to the wheels opposite the side of the lane departure direction to help prevent the M from inadvertently traveling out of its intended lane. 

The Infiniti M’s exterior enhancements for 2008 include revised front and rear fascia, grille, rear fender panels, rear decklid and taillight design, new chrome accents and new 18-inch and 19-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels.  There are also six new exterior colors (out of an available eight).  There is also greater visual differentiation between the Sport Package-equipped models and non-Sport Package models.

Inside, the new 2008 Infiniti M includes an upgraded Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and available XM NavTraffic® (requires active XM® subscription, sold separately), as well as new white and violet instrument panel and interior lighting, standard XMâ Satellite Radio (requires XM® subscription, sold separately) and a revised Stone colored interior.

The M45 continues to offer a 325-horsepower 4.5-liter aluminum-alloy DOHC V8, while the M35 features the award-winning VQ-series 3.5–liter V6, tuned for the M to produce 275 horsepower.  Both engines are mated to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission with performance shifter and manual shift mode with downshift rev matching.

In addition to the advanced navigation system, other available M technology includes Bluetoothâ Hands-free Phone System, Infiniti Information Display with 7-inch LCD screen and easy-to-use controls, Infiniti voice recognition and RearView Monitor.

Body

• Sporty, luxurious design with revised front and rear fascia, grille, rear decklid and taillight design, rear fender panels, new chrome accents
• Stable posture with long wheelbase (114.2 inches), wide track and short overhangs
• Low, aggressive hoodline and anchored shoulders providing a sporty, powerful silhouette
• Advanced unibody construction with a high level of torsional rigidity
• Lightweight aluminum doors, hood and trunk lid
• New 18-inch and 19-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheel designs
• Increased differentiation between Sport Package and non-Sport Package vehicles; Sport Package includes unique bumpers, side sills, headlight color and 19-inch wheels
• Available High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights with Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS)
• New rain sensing wipers
• Six new exterior colors (out of eight total)

Engine and Driveline

• Front engine, rear-wheel or intelligent all-wheel drive
• 32-valve 4.5-liter DOHC V8 producing 325 horsepower and 336 lb-ft of torque (M45) or 24-valve 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 275 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque (M35)
• Modular cylinder head design, lightweight pistons, titanium valves, continuously variable valve timing, variable length induction system
• 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode with downshift rev matching
• Enhanced FM (Front Mid-ship) platform
• New M45x AWD model with intelligent ATTESAä E-TS all-wheel drive (also available with M35x)
• Quad-tipped dual exhaust pipes

Suspension, Steering and Braking

• Double-wishbone independent front suspension
• Multi-link independent rear suspension with available Rear Active Steer (Sport Package-equipped models)
• Front and rear stabilizer bars
• 4-wheel vented disc brakes with 4-channel/4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
• Power-assisted steering system with sport ratio
• 18-inch or 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and high-performance, low profile tires

Interior Features

• Inviting interior with revised aluminum and wood trim
• Large cabin space, able to fit five adult passengers comfortably
• Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and available XM NavTraffic® (requires active XM® subscription, sold separately)
• In-dash 6-disc auto changer with MP3 and WMA compatibility (replaced by Music Server on Technology Package-equipped vehicle)
• Available Boseâ Studio Surround™ sound system with digital 5.1-channel decoding and 14 speakers including two personal speakers mounted in the shoulders of each front seat
• Standard XM® Satellite Radio (requires XM® subscription, sold separately)
• Standard leather-appointed seating
• Standard 10-way power driver’s and front passenger’s seat
• Standard climate-controlled front seats
• Advanced “Fine Vision Meters” electroluminescent light system with new white instrument panel lighting with violet accents and white and violet interior lighting
• Infiniti Intelligent Key system with push-button ignition
• Infiniti Voice Recognition system
• Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System
• Standard HomeLink® Universal Transceiver
• Power-sliding glass moonroof
• Sport Package includes sport-bolstered and trimmed front seats, sport steering wheel and aluminum pedal accents
• Available RearView Monitor with a wide lens view and new wheel trajectory view feature with directional guidelines that adjust based on steering input
• Available Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
• Available rear seat Infiniti Mobile Entertainment System with roof-mounted 8-inch screen, remote control and two sets of wireless headphones
• Revised Stone colored interior

Safety and Security

• Production debut of Infiniti’s Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system
• Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor
• Standard front-seat and roof-mounted front and rear curtain side-impact supplemental air bags
• 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver’s seat ELR only)
• Front seat belt adjustable upper anchors with pretensioners and load limiters
• Front seat Active Head Restraints
• Zone Body construction with energy-dispersing side structure
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) child seat anchorage system
• Zone Body platform design, with front and rear crumple zones
• Standard brake activated pre-crash front seat belts

Models and Manufacturing

• Available in four models: M35, M35x AWD, M45 and M45x AWD
• Exterior and interior designed at Nissan Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi, Japan
• Assembled by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. at Tochigi, Japan