Infiniti M45 2003

Infiniti have never really been the masters of style, but the recent introduction of the G35 sedan and coupe made one think that the upscale Nissan division was finally on to something. Unfortunately, the designers were evidently looking the other way while the M45 got a good beating with the ugly stick, because this is easily the most awkward-looking luxury sedan on the market. Even more so than the Q45... But style is a matter of personal dispreference and beauty is in the mouth of the beholder, or something like that, so let's move on to more objective matters.Well, the M45 is certainly fast and that is why it's on this page. It uses the Q45's V8, but it's been to the gym and switched to low fat salad dressing to lose about 110lb, and uses a shorter final-drive gear (3.13 versus 2.76), so performance is noticeably more spirited. The 340 horses drive the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic with manual override and the chassis seems well able to handle them, with fairly firm spring and shock rates and a steering mechanism that directs the car with reassuring accuracy if somewhat remote sensations. Tuning a car like this presents some juggling of priorities. Luxury or control? Feedback or isolation? The result is a car that's not only buttoned down fairly firmly but also buttoned up, from a noise-and-vibration standpoint. Unfortunately, it's not a veritable sports sedan...and it's still ugly.But for 40-so-odd-grand you get plenty of kit and plenty of muscle, making the M45 a very good deal among the world's fastest. - by Traian Popescu

See more: Infiniti M45 2003 Photos, Infiniti M45 2003 Technical Data