“The pleasure is in the drive,” was my response to the barista’s compliment of the 2012 Infiniti M56 sedan’s appearance at the drive-through window.
Sure, it has a wide, imposing stance and is noted for its muscularly high front fenders, like those on the FX crossover. To find lasting favor with this performance four-door, though, means getting behind the wheel and maneuvering it over the roadways.
The M56 is a heavyweight, pushed to 4,225 pounds by its optional all-wheel-drive system; yet, in spite of the bulk and AWD, handling is sharp. Cornering is quicker and smoother, benefiting from active trace technology which adjusts torque and braking at the wheels to add stability on the bends and corners.
A 420-horsepower, all-aluminum 5.6-liter V-8 engine employing gasoline-direct-injection performs impressively with a 7-speed automatic transmission with downshift rev matching in manual mode. The AWD setup can send up to 50 percent of torque to the front wheels in the rear-wheel-based M.
Accompanying the 7-speed on the new M56x is an Infiniti Drive selector, with which the driver by twisting a dial in the center console can select among standard, sport, eco and snow settings of throttle and shift points.
I split my driving time between standard and sport (averaged 20.6 miles per gallon), which in addition to more immediate acceleration holds onto lower gears longer for quicker shifts. The snow set gives the sedan a second-gear start to avoid spinning its wheels. Eco mode, intended to save fuel, is designed for mild acceleration and resists gas-pedal pressure. Eco isn’t a smooth fit for the 420-hp M56.
Positioned near the drive-mode selectors on the center console was another surprise – an actual ashtray and cigarette lighter. I can’t remember the last time I reviewed a new car with usable lighter and ashtray; these were of no use, for I haven’t smoked since I started driving at 16.
Japanese white ash wood trim and a Bose premium audio system with 16 speakers highlighted the Infiniti’s comfortable interior, with quilted brown leather seating and quilted/padded door panels. Seats are heated and cooled, the steering wheel is heated, and adding novelty is a Forest Air filtration system which “creates a relaxing forest setting by fluctuating airflow from the upper and front air vents.” Rear-seat headroom is somewhat limited.
The M56’s sticker price reached $66,925, from a base of $61,600, with several other options, including 18-inch tri-5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, suedelike headliner and power rear sunshade.
Navigation, power-folding heated outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down, rearview monitor and power moonroof head a long list of standard equipment.
The difference in the M56 AWD and the lesser-priced M37 AWD is under the hood. The M56’s 420-hp V-8 adds several thousand dollars over the M37’s 330-hp V-6 engine. The 2011 M37 AWD I drove last year carried a sticker price of $59,960.
Infiniti, the luxury division for Japanese-based Nissan, entered the U.S. market in November 1989 with the ’90 Q45, followed shortly by the M30 and G20.
A look back
Thirty-two years ago this weekend, I reviewed in The Denver Post the 1980 Mercury Cougar XR-7. Excerpts:
The sporty Mercury Cougar XR-7 has joined the revival for the 6-cylinder engine. A few weeks ago, Mercury added the 3.3-liter (200-cubic-inch) inline-6 to the list of engine availability for the Cougar, heretofore a V-8-powered car. The new optional engine becomes practical this year because of almost 700 pounds of weight stripped off the Cougar. It’s shorter, lighter and better-handling than the 1979 version. The 6, which has been used in the Capri and Zephyr, is well-balanced and smooth Power falls off on hills in the Cougar, but there is no apparent lag in moving away from the stoplights.
Extensive test driving came up with town mileage average of 15.6 miles per gallon. A 111-mile stretch south on I-25 measured out at 25.4 mpg. It’s a snap to get to the plugs on this inline-6, which is adorned with an aluminum air cleaner. The XR-7’s base price is $7,045 (sticker $9,000), with $413 added for freight to Denver. Standard engine is a 255-CID V-8, while the most popular powerplant has been the 302 V-8 with automatic transmission. Brakes are discs in front and drums on the rear. The new XR-7 weighs 3,250 pounds and is 15 inches shorter than last year’s model.
2012 Infiniti M56 AWD
$66,925
(price as tested)
MPG City 16 Highway 23
Vehicle type: Luxury performance AWD sedan
Wheelbase: 114.2 inches
Length/Width/Height: 194.7/72.6/59.6 inches
Weight: 4,224 pounds
Engine: 5.6-liter V-8
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Fuel mileage: 20.6 mpg
Fuel tank: 20 gallons
Warranty: 4 years/60,000 miles basic; 6/70,000 powertrain
Competitors: BMW 550i xDrive, Audi A6 quattro, Cadillac CTS AWD, Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic
Built at: Tochigi, Japan
THE STICKER
$61,600 base
$3,800 Japanese white ash trim, semi-analine leather seating, Bose premium audio with 16 speakers, “forest air” system, suedelike headliner, power rear sunshade
$650 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels
$875 Destination
PLUSES
Luxurious interior
Performance
Drive-mode selector
MINUSES
Fuel mileage
Rear-seat headroom
Lighter/ashtray
