Nissan’s premium brand, Infiniti, launched the fourth generation of the M-Series sedan in 2010 as a 2011 model.
It was aimed directly at the BMW 5-Series, but with a touch of Japanese styling.

The Infiniti dealers begged for a replacement of the third generation, which lacked in some features and was far behind the German competitors. The car-maker listened to them and offered a facelift in 2008 but it was not enough. So, in 2010, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the new generation of the Infiniti M-Series was unveiled.

The long hood, swept-back headlights, and flowing lines were a main theme for the Infiniti M since 2004 and the rectangular grille with the chromed badge in the middle was established as a brand image. The rear shoulders over the fenders inspired dynamism and power. The engine was mounted behind the front axle, and that explained the long hood.

Inside, the upholstery was made out of genuine leather on contact surfaces and man-made leather on the sides, and some lower areas. There was an option for a premium sound system with a Bose amplifier and 16 speakers. The touch-screen was used for the navigation and back-up camera as well as for other features of the car. Space in the rear was generous for two adults due to its 2.9m (114.2”) long wheelbase.

For the engines, the M-Series was offered with a choice of a V6 and a V8 for the American market. The Europeans received a V6 turbocharged diesel as well. The standard transmission for the engine range was a 7-speed auto. The M-Series also was offered as a Hybrid.

Nissan’s premium brand Infiniti introduced the third generation of the M-Sedan in 2005 based on the Japanese Nissan Fuga.
When Nissan decided to offer a better car, it meant it. The M-Sedan was a mid-size vehicle built with a mix of technology, luxury, and performance. As a result, the M-Sedan outperformed most of its competitors on the market.

By 2005, Infiniti already found its design cues and established a line to keep its vehicles’ shape in a common trend. On the M-Sedan, the swept-back headlights resembled those installed on the G35 Coupe and those on the EX-series. Its raked grille with chromed horizontal slats was already known on the market. To emphasize the car’s performance sedan orientation, the designers made the rear window sloped and the decklid short.

Inside, the high bolstered seats at the front were inspired by those from the G35 Coupe. Infiniti placed four dials in the instrument cluster, just like most of the other carmakers, but the fuel-level and the coolant-temperature gauges were larger than usual. On top of the center stack, the M-Sedan featured a screen for the infotainment system similar to the one from the Nissan Primera, controlled via a distinct control panel.

Under the hood, Infiniti installed two engine options and an all-wheel-drive system carried-over from the mighty Skyline GTR. All versions were paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission.

While it wasn’t the family’s flagship, the 2003 Infiniti M45 was like a muscle car from the ’60s brought back to life with modern technologies inside.
The car’s development took just two years, and it was more of a Nissan Gloria with different badges. But since the Gloria was not available on the North-American soil, it was just like a brand new car. Nissan built it to match some of the finest German and American V8 sedans on the market, but with more focus on the driver than the passengers.

Its look, with flowing lines and big, squared, headlights, was imposing. The greenhouse design was ended into a sloped rear windscreen, somehow like the Acura Legend. But the curved edges and thin C-pillars and the frameless doors made the car looks meaner than a regular, luxury sedan. In the back, the taillights were adapted for the U.S. market and were not extended over the trunk lid.

Inside, the M45 looked like an executive sedan, with a combination of leather upholstery and wood trim on the door panels. A simple, four-dial layout for the instrument cluster and two small LCD inside the tachometer and speedometer offered all the car’s information. In the glove compartment, the manufacturer installed the cartridge for the Bose CD-changer.

Infiniti installed only one engine option for the M45, and that was a 4.5-liter V8 unit that sent 340 hp to the rear wheels. Since the car was light for its class, it could hit the 60 mph (97 kph) barrier in less than 6 seconds.