Automobile Magazine 2006 M Article

[dseag2]

Overall positive article in the February edition of Automobile Magazine. Here are a few excerpts...

PERFORMANCE
"If you drive the new M hard, you'll know that Infiniti is at last close to being the Japanese BMW. With cars this good, Infiniti's upcoming sixteenth birthday should be sweet."

INTERIOR
"Matte rosewood trim or aluminum swoop and sweep across the M's intstrument panel in a design purportedly inspired by a piano keyboard. Nissan's cost cutters did not show up for this particular recital, so the cabin materials, if not best in class (Audi), are on par with Mercedes and superior to Cadillac."

EXTERIOR
"But Infiniti still hasn't made the turn down Easy Street. Step outside the M, and behold... what? A generic Asian-sedan shape with a big, bland rear bumper, a C-pillar kink borrowed from BMW, and a handsome grille plastered with a logo that's largely meaningless to America's luxury-car buyers. At first glance, you might think the M35/M45 is a gussied-up Nissan Maxima or Altima. This car has lots of style, but it's generic style. Infiniti surely has learned from the FX that captivating design, combined with world-class engineering and performance, is its ticket to the big time."

[jrock65]

Overall positive article in the February edition of Automobile Magazine. Here are a few excerpts...

PERFORMANCE
"If you drive the new M hard, you'll know that Infiniti is at last close to being the Japanese BMW. With cars this good, Infiniti's upcoming sixteenth birthday should be sweet."

INTERIOR
"Matte rosewood trim or aluminum swoop and sweep across the M's intstrument panel in a design purportedly inspired by a piano keyboard. Nissan's cost cutters did not show up for this particular recital, so the cabin materials, if not best in class (Audi), are on par with Mercedes and superior to Cadillac."

EXTERIOR
"But Infiniti still hasn't made the turn down Easy Street. Step outside the M, and behold... what? A generic Asian-sedan shape with a big, bland rear bumper, a C-pillar kink borrowed from BMW, and a handsome grille plastered with a logo that's largely meaningless to America's luxury-car buyers. At first glance, you might think the M35/M45 is a gussied-up Nissan Maxima or Altima. This car has lots of style, but it's generic style. Infiniti surely has learned from the FX that captivating design, combined with world-class engineering and performance, is its ticket to the big time."



Thanks for the quotes. So basically they like it except they find the exterior styling to be bland. But then again, Automobile Mag calls most sedan designs from Asia boring and generic.

They definitely have a pro-Euro bias when it comes to styling.

[jwaters943]

Hey, "bland" exterior styling may actually be a selling point to all those BMW owners leaving the brand due to the polarizing styling of the BMW 5 Series.

As with the 2005 G35 sedan, the M35/45 looks best from the front and side IMO. They should ditch the tail light design they are currently using. Other than that, I quite like the styling of the M.

[Steve_L]

Well, it seemed like they applauded the FX design so I don't think they hate all Asian designs. Personally, I think the M looks pretty good, but the concept M looked better (in particular the front and the reat).

[DrewSRX]

What else did they say? What were the performance figures? Thanks...

[psteng19]

"Matte rosewood trim or aluminum swoop and sweep across the M's intstrument panel in a design purportedly inspired by a piano keyboard. Nissan's cost cutters did not show up for this particular recital, so the cabin materials, if not best in class (Audi), are on par with Mercedes and superior to Cadillac."



Shocking, considering the interiors in Nissan's latest products have always been criticized for being sub-par.
They should have done this from the start (G/FX).

[M_TYPE_X]

I've giving up trying to defend Automobile Magazine. They're the Automobimmer Magazine snobs. They'd rather drive Mazdas than Nissans.

[Incendiary]

I've giving up trying to defend Automobile Magazine. They're the Automobimmer Magazine snobs. They'd rather drive Mazdas than Nissans.



What's wrong with that? I'd rather drive a Mazda than a Nissan, more fun. I'd also rather drive an Infiniti than a Nissan, though.

[rocksco_ultraPEZ]

I've giving up trying to defend Automobile Magazine. They're the Automobimmer Magazine snobs. They'd rather drive Mazdas than Nissans.

All of the 'eurosnob mags' will give this car endless praise, just watch. The most important aspect of the car, the solidity and level of refinment of the chassis will bring it all the acclaim. The same reason they would rather drive a Mazda than a Nissan(up until now). I for one agree with them.

[M_TYPE_X]

I've giving up trying to defend Automobile Magazine. They're the Automobimmer Magazine snobs. They'd rather drive Mazdas than Nissans.

All of the 'eurosnob mags' will give this car endless praise, just watch. The most important aspect of the car, the solidity and level of refinment of the chassis will bring it all the acclaim. The same reason they would rather drive a Mazda than a Nissan(up until now). I for one agree with them.



Or maybe they are just clowns. 1998 Altima, 1998 Maxima, 1998 I30, 1998 Q45, 1998 625, 1998 Millenia ... all of these are so exciting cars, but the Mazdas are so much more exciting than the Nissans. Yeah right.

CBS' internal report on the Mapesgate scandal didn't find any BLATANT BIAS either. http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/smirk.gif