Overview
The all new 2011 Infiniti M56 sedan is available with a number of new technologies including new technologies like Infiniti Drive Mode Selector, a four-mode driver-selectable control of throttle and transmission mapping that optimizes vehicle performance, Active Noise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Blind Spot Intervention, Forest Air System, Eco Pedal, Active Trace Control, Double-piston Shock Absorbers and Enhanced Intelligent Key.
The 2011 Infiniti M56 is offered in two well-equipped models: the M56 (V8 rear-wheel drive) and M56x AWD (V8 all-wheel drive).
Power and performance
The new M56 is powered by a 5.6-liter VVEL, 32-valve, DOHC, Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) aluminum-alloy V8 engine rated at 420 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque, increases of 95 horsepower and 81 lb-ft of torque versus the previous 4.5-liter V8. Infiniti?s refined 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and manual shift mode with Downshift Rev Matching is standard.
Infiniti Drive Mode Selector, a new integrated control system for the 2011 model year allows drivers to select from four driving modes (Standard, Eco, Sport or Snow), depending on mood or driving conditions, with a dial switch located on the center console. Each mode adjusts throttle sensitivity and transmission mapping to help optimize performance. A new Active Trace Control system, included with the Technology Package, enhances the transition from braking into and then accelerating out of corners. The M56x models feature Infiniti Intelligent All-Wheel Drive which uses an advanced torque split control strategy that automatically redistributes torque to the wheels (0:100 up to 50:50 front to rear) according to road and driving conditions.
The new M56 is rated at 16 mpg City/25 mpg Highway (an increase of 4 mpg City), while the M56x achieves fuel economy of 16 mpg City and 23 mpg Highway - increases of 2 mpg City and 3 mpg Highway.
Body and styling
The standard exterior features include automatic on/off High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional Xenon headlights with windshield wiper interlock, a power sliding tinted glass moonroof with one-touch open/close, tilt feature and sliding sunshade and dual exhaust with polished tips.
The roomy and welcoming interior is equipped with a long list of comfort and convenience features including a large center console, power windows, power door locks, Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control system, leather-appointed seats, 10-way power driver's and front-passenger's seats, including 2-way power lumbar support, climate-controlled front seats, heated steering wheel, Bose 2-channel, 10-speaker Premium Audio system, AM/FM/CD/DVD with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control, single in-dash CD/DVD player, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, Bluetooth wireless technology, and Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with 8-inch WVGA color touch-screen display, Lane Guidance and 3-D building graphics.
Safety Features
The new M56 comes with a long list of standard safety features including Infiniti's Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems. A number of new innovative safety technologies including the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) systems, available as part of the M Technology Package, have been introduced. The BSW helps alert the driver if another vehicle is detected in the blind spot area and the BSI is the world?s first system which, in the event of unintended drift, enhances BSW with selective braking to help the driver return the vehicle back toward the center of the lane of travel away from the vehicle in the blind spot area.
The other safety features include standard Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts, standard 3-point seat belts with Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) and Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) (driver?s seat ELR only), front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, front seat Active Head Restraints with 4-way manual adjustments, along with Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones and LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren).
