The Crank: Is Infiniti der neu BMW?

[svgallery name="2011_Infiniti_M37_Sport"] By John LeBlanc For Crank readers with any kind of automotive historical context, you probably already know that when Nissan’s Infiniti premium brand launched in the late 1980s, it’s original Q45 sports luxury sedan was seen as a direct shot at Germany's Ultimate Driving Machine brand, while Toyota’s also-then-new Lexus was left to handle the Mercedes wannabe chores. Said readers will also know that, Infiniti’s pursuit of said Ultimate Driving Machine BMW went a bit sideways in the 1990s. Japan’s decade-long economic crisis meant it was left peddling chromed-over Nissans (see the I30). Flash forward two decades later, and there I was recently, with the latest midsize sport sedan offerings from each maker, a new-for-2011 Infiniti M and also-new-for-2011 BMW 5-Series sedan. And, surprisingly, the car that met my expectations of what a BMW should be wasn’t wearing a blue and block roundel on its hood. First off, the new 5 Series is one of the most unimaginative cars I’ve recently driven. After a decade of daringly styled cars, BMW's design department seems to be mailing it in, returning to the “same sausage, different length” approach that got it in such a severe design funk in 1990s. I dare you to spot the difference between a new 5 and 7 Series from 50 metres. Tough, eh? Same goes for the 5's interior—it reeks of BMW Cabin Design 101. And from what I can tell, the next 3-Series will be spat out from the same design mold. I already think the new M is one of the most underrated cars you can buy. And now with some time behind its wheel, a visceral delight to sit and be seen in. Arguably better built than the 5’s insides, it scores with flourishes of real aluminum. The paddle shifters and door handles look like pieces of art. From the driver’s seats, the M’s front fenders were like target sights for the next corner. Outside, the car has that quintessential “looks fast, even when it’s parked” style. Perhaps the aspect that rocked my prejudices between the two brands the most was the way the Infiniti and BMW each drove. I was driving the 330 hp, six-cylinder $63,400 M37 Sport. From the get-go, it chomped at its reins. Quick, alert at the helm, and with a zesty exhaust note, the M37 Sport responded to my requests with gusto, a real “driver’s car.” The 240 hp, six-cylinder BMW 528i (comparably equipped, $63,700) I drove the same week, was a really “nice” car. Quiet, refined, smooth, a true “luxury” car. Er, just like a smaller 7er, which, effectively, der neu 5er is. But it certainly didn’t urge me to take a corner quicker, like the M did. Yes. I’m sure a 300 hp, turbo-six 535i would be a better rival to the Infiniti. Plus I could order it with a stick. Something I can't do in the Infiniti. But at $77,100 (comparably equipped) it’s a bit of an apples and oranges argument. So there you go. With BMW moving more towards keeping luxury buyers happy, Infiniti seems to have snuck up and created a car that appeals to drivers. Which, if I’m not mistaken, is where BMW used to be.

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