Infiniti Targets M Sales at 24,000 Annually

More about Infiniti M

PHOENIX ? Infiniti?s current M sedan may not be invisible in the market. But as if to prove buyers haven?t exactly been stampeding dealers for the middle-luxury car, Infiniti officials admit they?re eying a sales increase of, well, a factor of 10 for the all-new M that goes on sale late next month.

Infiniti plans to sell about 24,000 of the all-new ?06 M performance sedans annually, says James De Trude, M model line manager. Infiniti delivered just 2,090 M sedans last year, a gaudy 56% drop from the trifling 4,755 units sold in 2003.

In 2004, BMW AG sold 45,584 units of its 5-Series, one of the M?s direct competitors. Mercedes-Benz delivered 58,954 E-Class cars, and even tiny Audi AG retailed 14,455 A6s.

So 24,000-odd sales in the U.S. for 2005 would be a triumph for Infiniti and the new M, which bolsters its potential with two models, the V-6 powered M35 and the M45, with a 4.5L DOHC V-8. The outgoing M was offered only as a single model and strictly with a V-8.

The M had to wait for other more crucial Infiniti-model makeovers and additions ? the successful G coupe/sedan and FX cross/utility vehicle, specifically ? before its more expressive and focused redesign that brings it in alignment with the division?s drastically more competitive new models that have driven a 50% volume increase at Infiniti since 2002.

The M35/45 sits on a new, second-generation version of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.?s flexible ?FM? (Front Midship) rear-/all-wheel-drive platform that underpins several other Nissan/Infiniti vehicles and is a major factor in the success of the G and FX lines, all of which use first-generation FM architecture.

With an overall length of 192.5 ins. (489 cm), the new M is 8.4 ins. (21 cm) shorter than the car it replaces, yet its wheelbase, at 114.2 ins. (290 cm), is 4 ins. (10 cm) longer. Interior space is cavernous, and engineers say the M has more interior volume than Infiniti?s Q45 flagship. The M is more than 6 ins. (15 cm) longer overall than the entry G35, which donates many styling cues to the new M.

The 5-model M lineup goes on sale Feb. 28. The M35, M35 AWD (all-wheel drive) and M35 Sport employ Nissan?s 3.5L DOHC V-6 that develops 280 hp and 270 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) of torque. The M45 and M45 Sport are fitted with a 4.5L DOHC V-8 dishing out 335 hp and 340 lb.-ft. (461 Nm) of torque. The base M35 starts at $39,900 and the M45 begins at $46,750.

Major options include a $10,500 Premium package and a $4,200 Technology package. A navigation system (standard in the Premium package) can be had as a standalone option for $2,000, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system is available for all models at $1,500.

A unique-to-the-class feature is electronically controlled and actuated rear-wheel steering Infiniti calls it Rear Active Steer, and it is available only on rear-drive Sport models. Another high-tech feature, included in the Technology package, is Lane Departure Warning, which uses a rearview mirror-mounted camera to monitor lane markings, signaling a warning chime to the driver if the vehicle begins to stray from its lane. Infiniti says its is the first use of LDW for a U.S.-market sedan; the company pioneered the system last year in its FX45 CUV.

?I don?t know that there is a more active segment right now than mid-luxury,? says De Trude. Infiniti?s new M cars go against a newly redesigned Cadillac STS, an all-new Acura RL and the recently launched new Audi A6, in addition to class leaders BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class. Toyota Motor Corp.?s Lexus upscale division, Infiniti?s most direct rival, also launches a totally redesigned version of its GS middle luxury sedan later this year.

De Trude says that in addition to the new M cars? total redesign, Infiniti plans additional help in the run to finally put the M on the map: ?We?re actually going to advertise this car,? he says.