Infiniti M37 – Prices, specs +video

The Infiniti M37 starts at £35,150 in the UK

We’ve covered just about everything Infiniti has thrown out in the last year as they seek to establish a presence in the UK and Europe. They debuted the Infiniti M at Geneva in the Spring, and today we have price and spec details for the Infiniti M37, the first of three Infiniti M models hitting the UK and Europe in the next few months.

Sadly, Infiniti has felt it necessary to make the M37 the biggest engine on offer, deciding that fuel thrifty Europe wouldn’t be interested in the big V8, 5.6 litre M56. Or maybe they decided that offering 420bhp from a 5.6 litre was a bit feeble. The competition would be the Jaguar XFR, the BMW M5, the Mercedes E63 and the Audi RS6. Enough to scare off all but the most capable.

But the Infiniti M should be capable, although we haven’t driven a Euro spec car (or actually seen one on the roads – has anyone?). The 3.7 litre V6 delivers 316bhp and offers a 0-60mph of 6 seconds. Which is pretty much on a par with petrol engines from BMW and Mercedes. Jaguar doesn’t offer a similar sized V6 – just the 3.0 litre. The chassis is based on the Nissan 370Z, which is perfectly able.

In terms of spec even the entry-level Infiniti M37 getting 7 speed auto, reversing camera, HDD music box, bi-xenons and Sport, Normal, Snow and Eco settings. The toys increase as you move up the trim tree, with the top of the range Infiniti M S Premium (starting at £45,000) adding goodies like Forest Air, BOSE and Infiniti’s Connectiviti+ 30gb Infotainment centre.

The Premium trim also ‘benefits’ from something called ‘Eco Pedal’. Eco Pedal is an economy setting which pushes back the accelerator pedal at you if you drive too aggressively. Which sounds appalling.

Next up will be the Infiniti M30d, which will probably account for the bulk of Infiniti M sales, followed in Spring 2011 by the Infiniti M35 Hybrid. But we can’t help but think Infiniti has got the M all wrong. Lexus have gone all goody-two-shoes (except for the LFA) and the door should be wide open for a quality, performance alternative from Japan.

The Infiniti M isn’t it. No performance version and a range topper that only manages a 3.7 litre V6 and a 0-60mph in 6 seconds. Seems a bit of a feeble effort for a Sports Saloon.

Makers of the European sports saloons won’t be losing any sleep over the Infiniti M.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXC3oQJI5jc

By Cars UK