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Infiniti M M30d and M37 GT Premium and S Premium road test report

M30d and M37 GT Premium and S Premium

Nissan’s luxury brand Infiniti was launched way back in 1989 in the US and in Europe as recently as 2008. Infiniti’s new M sports saloon now joins the existing EX, FX and G model range, but to succeed the M has to hold its head high among the established giants of premium executive saloon sector.

Road Test Reports Says 4.5 star rating
A front-facing image of the Infiniti M M30d and M37 GT Premium and S Premium

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TOM STEWART SAYS

Performance Performance - 5 stars

The new M comes with either a 3-litre, 235bhp V6 diesel (M30d) or a 3.7-litre, 316bhp V6 petrol unit (M37). Both are rear wheel driven and have 7-speed auto transmissions with manual mode. (The hybrid M35h is due to follow in the Spring of 2011.) Both perform very impressively and can make light work of surging toward their electronically-limited 155mph top speeds – the more powerful M37 even more so. 0-62 times are 6.9 secs (M30d) and 6.2 secs (M37). Four different driving modes (Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow) significantly alter driving characteristics depending on conditions and mood.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 4 stars

The M may be large and luxurious, but like other Infiniti models, it’s a sportier driving machine than its conservative looks might suggest. Grip is tenacious, steering is responsive and accurate, there’s impressive stability at speed and, while the car’s ride errs on the firm side. the suspension copes very well, even on particularly poor surfaces. The M37 S Premium I drove was fitted with sophisticated double-piston dampers, but due to several different circumstances (eg. roads, tyres, conditions) I wasn’t able to detect much difference. However, the S Premium’s 4-wheel active steering system (4WAS) definitely makes an already nimble car that much more nimble, as a slalom test through cones convincingly proved.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

Infinitis haven’t yet featured in UK JD Power Customer satisfaction surveys, but US JD Power data shows that they’re strong performers. The several Infinitis I’ve now driven have all appeared flawless in both fit and finish, inside and out. On the production line in Japan every car, not just every tenth car, is laser scanned to ensure that panel gaps are within prescribed limits. In common with other models, the M’s body is painted with self-healing, ‘Scratch Shield’ paint while Infiniti’s Total Ownership Experience includes a free pick-up and delivery service within a radius of 150 miles from the Infiniti Centre.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

In addition to six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring and all the usual stuff, Infiniti has really pushed the boat out on its Premium models with Dynamic Safety Shield. This incorporates: Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control with Low Speed Following, Distance Control Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention and Intelligent Brake Assist. There’s also ESP with Dynamic Cornering Enhancement that optimizes braking and engine torque on individual wheels for better cornering. DCE can also apply selective braking to help create increased steering response when rapid changes of direction are required. Security is handled in part by I-Key with ‘smart access’, ‘smart ignition’. All doors and windows also close automatically with the intelligent I-Key.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 5 stars

With its 2,900mm wheelbase the M is slightly longer than most of its competitors and this allows for plenty of comfort and space for four or five adults. The M’s luxurious, well-appointed and attractive cabin is upholstered in new, specially-developed soft-touch materials and leathers, while the brushed aluminium and black lacquer or treated wood finishes make the interior especially inviting. The cabin is practical too with storage facilities including a cubby with cupholders in the large rear seat armrest. When down, this armrest reveals a lockable ski hatch opening through to the M37’s 500-litre boot, or the M30d’s 450 litres.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

Prices start at £37,650 (M37) or £39,250 (M30d) and rise to around £46,600 for a top-spec S Premium M30d, so the Ms are competitively priced, especially when compared with option-laden Audi A6s, BMW 5s, Jag XFs, Lexus GSs and Merc Es. Equipment levels are impressive and include the novel and breezy Forest Air climate control system as well as the 30GB Connectiviti+ multimedia system which, despite an occasionally clueless satnav and dodgy USB/iPhone connectivity in both my test cars, does pretty much everything except go online. The M37 manages 27.7mpg combined with 235g/km of CO2, while the M30d returns 37.7mpg combined with 199g/km of CO2. Subjectively the M isn’t the prettiest car in the class, but it does have a great deal going for it, and it’s different…

Submitted: 11/11/2010 09:05:12

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