Dial "M" for Mundane

By John Rogers

Infiniti M45

Nissan Gloria

Infiniti M45

Nissan Gloria

1992-97 Infiniti Q42

May 24, 2002 -When launched in the early '90s, the Infiniti marque had some unique breakthrough styling on cars, such as the original grille-less Q45 and the anti-wedge, love-it-or-hate-it, Jerry Hershfield-designed J30. Annually getting spanked in the sales charts by rival Lexus throughout the remainder of the decade caused the powers-that-be at parent Nissan to pull back the Infiniti-only funding and revert to shilling chromed-over Nissans, like the Infiniti G20 (Primera), the I30 (Maxima), and the QX4 (Pathfinder).

Recently though, Infiniti has benefited from Nissan's phoenix-like resurrection from near death by getting worldclass competitive products that arm Nissan's premium North American brand with the guns to go head-to-head in the competitive, yet lucrative, luxury sport market.

It started with the revitalized power-laden Q45 luxo-barge, the just launched 3 Series-challenging rear-wheel drive G35 sedan and coupe (available with a stick--a stick!), and the forthcoming V8 powered FX45 luxury SUV. These Infiniti vehicles present unique drivetrain configurations and original, consistently aggressive styling to distinguish themselves from not only their competitors, but also their downmarket Nissan brethren.

Infiniti was sustaining a good buzz throughout the car zealot community--the sense was they really had their act together. Great looking, great driving cars targeted to appreciative, intelligent buyers who would usually knee-jerk to the predictable German uber marques.

And then I started hearing the rumors. Another Infiniti model. Another sedan slotted between the G and the Q. This car would have the Q's potent 340-hp 4.5-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 engine driving the rear wheels, in a smaller package. Yikes!! That should kick some Teutonic ass, right?

Oh, and here's the best part, the part that I fell hook, line, and sinker for: Infiniti was going to call it the "M." Hey, you have to have some pretty big balls to take on the mythic aura of BMW's Motorsport division, so, this new car was going be a stunner, right?

Turns out it's more like a stunned mullet.

Luckily, for Infiniti, the surprise unveiling of the M45 at the New York show in March was overshadowed by the introduction of the noteworthy G35 sedan and coupe. The Infiniti press gang kept to the plan, and even boasted that their new middleweight contender would do battle in the same ring as the Lexus GS430, BMW's 540i, Mercedes-Benz's E430, the Audi A6 4.2, and Jag's S-Type V8. Sure, it will definitely contend on cost, as the M45 will be priced to compete with six-cylinder versions of those cars, but anyone considering an A6 would have to not be wearing their glasses to choose the matronly M45.

Yes, it has impressive performance, luxury, and value to recommend, but, to say the M45's styling is conservative would be like accusing Britney of being chaste (Sorry, time you crawled out of your garage, as that understatement certainly doesn't work anymore. - Ed.). Looking for the best bang for the buck in this class? Maybe, but this isn't the WRX crowd. Styling actually means something to buyers in this class and the M45 can't compare to the entrenched style leaders like the E Class, 5 Series and A6.

What I can't figure out is why Infiniti bothered. This certainly doesn't support the M45's stunningly competent stablemates. My only guess is that the plant that makes the Japanese market Cedric/Gloria sedans, which the M45 is based on, wasn't at full capacity. It's a bit of a reverse tactic in that Infiniti pulled a similar stunt with the much unloved 1997-2001 Q sedan--a neutered version of the original Q that failed to excite North American buyers.

If you're a Crown Vic owner, and tired of seeing your service manager fortnightly, you're in luck, 'cause Infiniti certainly has a luxo barge right up your alley.

Just don't let me catch you bragging to your friends that you own an "M" car.