Infiniti M Named 2006 Best Luxury Sedan in MotorWeek's Drivers' Choice Awards; Announcement Made at 2006 Chicago Auto Show
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"The Infiniti M was designed to outperform the competition in every way," said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager of Infiniti. "An endorsement from a team of trusted third-party experts, like the staff at MotorWeek, is exactly what Infiniti strives for when developing world-class vehicles like the M."
This year, the 14th year of the Drivers' Choice Awards, a team of 15 judges evaluated more than 150 cars and trucks, focusing on key features of superior performance, technology, practicality and dollar value.
"Throughout the rigorous testing, the M continued to stand out in the highly competitive field of luxury sedans," said John Davis, host and executive producer of MotorWeek, "which includes some of best cars in the world from makers like BMW, Mercedes and Lexus."
About the Infiniti M
The all-new Infiniti M, which went on sale in late February 2005 as a 2006 model, captures essential elements of both the Q45 luxury performance sedan and the award-winning Infiniti G35 -- and takes them to a new level of engaging luxury and performance. Together with the flagship Q45 and sporty G35, the 2006 M gives Infiniti an exceptional lineup of dynamic luxury performance sedans.
The Infiniti M optimizes both luxury and sport styling to create a dynamic visual appeal. The exterior design features a low, aggressive hoodline, which flows into the anchored shoulders and contributes to the sporty, powerful silhouette. Inside, the interior is highly expressive, combining a driver-oriented cockpit with an inviting design detail.
At the heart of the Infiniti M is the high-performance power of a choice of advanced V8 or V6 engines, with the vehicles badged M45 or M35 respectively. The M45 features the 4.5-liter DOHC V8 currently used in the Infiniti Q45 and FX45. For use in the M45, it produces 335 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. The M35 is powered by a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 280 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission with all-new short-throw performance shifter and manual shift mode with downshift rev matching. The M35 also features an available intelligent all-wheel drive system.
Advanced technology is abundant on the new M -- starting with the standard Bluetooth wireless technology, an all-new Vehicle Information System with 7-inch LCD screen and easy-to-use controls, Infiniti voice recognition and Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS). M Sport models feature a new Rear Active Steer system, which helps improve vehicle handling performance by adjusting the geometry of the rear suspension according to steering input and vehicle speed. Also featured on the M is an available Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, which warns the driver of a pending, unintended lane departure.
About Infiniti
Media can find more information about the complete line of 2006 Infiniti vehicles and the Total Ownership Experience (TOE) philosophy online at www.infinitinews.com or by contacting the corporate media line at 310-771-5631.
About MotorWeek
MotorWeek, the original automotive magazine series on television, celebrates its 25th year of providing consumers with timely automotive industry news and entertainment features. The award-winning series, seen on PBS, PBS HD and SPEED Channel, is nationally sponsored by The Stanley Works, Dunlop Tires and cars.com. Now in its 24th year, the annual MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards are coveted by driver enthusiasts as the definitive list of best automotive picks for a range of lifestyle needs. For information, visit www.pbs.org/motorweek.