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2005 Infiniti M45 Concept

Refining the Modern Muscle Car

The Infiniti M45 is a modern muscle car dressed in a Brioni suit. Its 340 horsepower V8 makes it wickedly quick but as for styling, its not necessarily a trendsetter. Still it shows understated good taste combined with much better than average quality.

But what would happen if the M45 doffed its conservative image and suddenly showed up at Manhattans Tribeca Grand tonight sporting a new two-piece shaped by John Varatos? It would get the attention it deserves.

The automotive equivalent took place earlier this month at NYCs Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the home of the New York International Auto Show. The new car is anything but dowdy,

The previous Infiniti M45s understated styling disguised its muscle car alter ego, but not any more. The new concept, said to be very close to production trim, is gorgeous. (Photo: Infiniti)

a spectacle of modern design that makes most of its competition look in need of a makeover.

"The M45 Concept is an expression of power, refinement, technology and style - all the things that make Infiniti owners hearts pound," said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division.

In similar

The new M45 is anything but dowdy, with an updated design that expresses power, refinement, technology and style. (Photo: Infiniti)

fashion the new concept follows a pattern set out by the XVL concept that presaged the ultra-hot G35 sedan, giving little reason to believe the production M45 will vary a great deal from the general design of what we see in these pages. In actuality the M45 Concept started life as the Fuga, a concept that debuted in Tokyo late last year, and shows little change from its transition to its current prototype form.

Designed to entice potential buyers away from rivals such

The M45 could cause the same problems for midsize luxury competitors that the G35 did in the compact luxury segment. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

as Acura, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and most importantly Lexus, or at least delay their purchases until the real Infiniti becomes available, the M45 concept could cause the same problems for the midsize luxury benchmarks as the G35 did when it shook up the compact luxury segment upon its introduction - if it can be called compact.

The M45 will without a doubt win over a lot of fence sitters, impressed by Infinitis top-tier reliability, performance image and premium status, but so far not sufficiently wooed by the current cars sheetmetal.

Many of the popular design elements found in the G35 have found their way into the M45. (Photo: Infiniti)

The new car is much cleaner overall, tying in few styling elements from the current model. Carried over, more or less, is the four-slat bright metal grille, bound by two chrome strips top and bottom that gives the impression of two additional slats, and the jewel-like rear license plate surround with its finely crafted nameplate appliqué. The major changes include cues adopted from the popular G35 sedan, especially noticeable in the headlamps, arcing roofline, tall trunklid and L-shaped taillamps, but executing the design language even more cohesively.

But is improved styling all the M45 needs to compete head to head with Audis A6 and BMW

The M45 concept shows dramatic improvements in interior quality levels over the current model. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

5-Series, to name only two? Unfortunately not. The first thing the new model will need is an upgraded chassis design. The current car isnt as nimble as some of its rivals, a problem the G35 doesnt share. Its heavy and shares its rather outdated undercarriage with the Q45. The new M will adopt an enlarged version of the Japanese brands next-generation FM (front-midship) architecture, that makes the G35 such a delight to drive. Its a double-wishbone independent front setup with a multi-link independent rear suspension, same as in the G, but with approximately sixty percent of its components upgraded and the addition of active rear control.

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