2013 Infiniti M37 Quick Spin

The new 2013 Infiniti M37 is now in its third year of the current generation and it once again sets the bar high for mid-sized luxury performance sedans. It features Infiniti’s unique style, excellent performance, impeccable luxury, attention to detail, craftsmanship and the latest automotive infotainment systems.

I tested the M37 model with the Technology, Deluxe Touring, Premium, Performance Tire & Brake packages that really helps to distance the M37 from its competitors. This loaded M37 makes any luxury performance enthusiast happy and with a price of $61,845.00, including destination charges, easy on the budget.

New for model year 2013 include standard auto-dimming sideview mirrors, an auto-trunk cincher, a new Performance Tire & Wheel Package that my test M37 came and features 20X9 inch wheels and tires plus Sport Brakes. The Premium Package that also came in my test M37 adds the new Infiniti Connection telematics with available safety security and convenience services that I’ll explain about later.

The styling of the M37 is truly unique with a multi-layered exterior that combines balanced, rear-wheel drive proportions and stance with a long, low hood and a high rear deck to create an efficient aerodynamic shape-while also offering a room cabin for up to five people. The M sedan’s sporty appearance is highlighted by the deep body shape of the fenders and doors, which give it a powerful look unlike anything else on the road. The ‘wave-style’ doors are constructed from aluminum for lighter weight, despite the material’s difficult formability. The stamping dies for each door are hand polished to maintain their precision and every door undergoes an exacting human inspection, providing a handcrafted level of quality. The front fascia contains both luxury and sporty cues with an expressive, signature Infiniti chrome double-arch upright low grille, wide-mouth lower air-intake with round foglamps surrounded by chrome at the sides and crystal-look headlamp clusters. From the side you can see steeply raked A-pillars, chrome door handles, a full-perimeter chrome strip around the greenhouse plus a chrome strip above the doors from the trunk to the base of the windshield, aero-styled sideview mirrors, deep side extensions and a wave-like trunk with a high aerodynamic performance that works like a spoiler to increase downforce. Large LED rear lamp clusters finish the luxury look. Contributing to the low coefficient of drag of just 0.27 and zero lift front and rear are a series of aerodynamic enhancers including front tire deflectors, an engine under cover, a center floor cover, rear tire deflectors, an exhaust cover, floor side fairings and a rear diffuser. The large 20X9 inch aluminum alloy wheels wrapped with 245/40R20 inch Bridgestone Potenza low profile high-performance tires close the gap between the wheel-wells and tires. Standard exterior features not mentioned above include a power sliding tinted glass moonroof, automatic on/off HID bi-functional Xenon headlights with windshield wiper interlock, dual exhaust with polished tips, power-folding heated outside mirrors, rain-sensing variable intermittent front windshield wipers and courtesy lamps built into the outside door handles. An adaptive front lighting system with auto-leveling headlights comes with the Technology Package.

Power to quickly move the M37 comes from a potent 3.7 liter all-aluminum, DOHC, 24-valve V6 engine with VVEL (variable valve event & lift) system, which combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled valve lift on the intake side to help improve low end torque performance and response. Throttle response is enhanced by directly controlling the intake valve, rather than using the traditional method of controlling intake with the throttle valve. The VVEL system also offers improved emissions and fuel efficiency by substantially reducing the intake resistance that occurs when the engine’s throttle valve opening is narrowed and output is low. This smooth, quiet, high-revving, high-tech V6 engine generates 330hp @ 7,000rpm and 270lb.ft. of torque at 5,200rpm and also features a rigid ladder frame construction, large crank journal and pin diameters, asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, and electronically controlled ‘drive-by-wire’ throttle system, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, Iridium spark plugs and a symmetric twin air intake system.

All of the power and torque is transferred to the rear wheels via a refined 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and manual shift mode with Downshift Rev Matching which allowed me to get sportier shifts when I was heading into steeply curving roads. It felt so good and really helps me blast out of the curve. The leather-wrapped stubby shifter was made for my right hand and was great to use-upshifting/downshifting the 7-speed. The standard traction control/vehicle stability control system can be shut down by pressing a dashboard mounted button so I was able to even let the rear slide out and keep my foot on the throttle. Estimated fuel mileage is rated at 18mpg/city and 26mpg/highway. The trip computer read 20.8mpg after my test drive of city and highway driving more than 350 miles.

A unique feature of the 2013 M is the Infiniti Drive Mode Selector, an integrated control system that allowed me to select from four driving modes, depending on my mood and driving conditions, with a large dial switch located on the center console. Each mode, Standard, Eco, Sport or Snow, adjusts throttle sensitivity and transmission mapping to help optimize performance. In addition to the standard mode (suitable for normal driving conditions), the fuel-efficient Eco mode utilizes a green or amber indicator light on the instrument cluster to provide feedback on driving efficiency. Available with the Technology package, the Eco Pedal system also provides feedback directly through the accelerator pedal, giving a slight pushback if driving inefficiently. It is like no other Eco system because is pushes back if you are giving too much throttle. Other systems let me push the throttle as hard as I wanted in Eco mode diminishing fuel efficiency. The Sport mode increase throttle sensitivity and changes transmission shift patterns for sportier driving.

The 2013 Infiniti M again utilizes the advanced FM (Front Mid-Ship) platform, which positions the engine behind the front axle resulting in an optimized front-to-rear weight balance. Laser welding is performed at critical locations to help enhance lateral bending stiffness, torsional stiffness and suspension mounting point stiffness (versus the previous M design).

Giving me the unforgettable engaging drive is the state-of-the-art fully independent sport-tuned suspension. Up front is a race-bred double-wishbone setup with coil springs, stabilizer bar and double-piston gas-charged shocks. Quick response to my inputs driving around slow city traffic, and when changing lanes on the highway. The rear is a multi-link setup with coil springs, stabilizer bar and double-piston gas-charged shocks to keep the 9 inch wide tires solidly planted on the pavement for maximum grip and traction. The steering system is an electronically controlled vehicle-speed-sensing variable-assist power rack & pinion design. The M37 also includes Infiniti’s advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control. VDC automatically adjusts brake pressure and engine torque during certain situations where the car is near its handling limit, helping me to maintain control of the car. An Advanced Active Trace Control system, included with the Technology Package, helps enhance the transition from braking into and then accelerating out of corners. The system utilizes the M’s VDC system to help improve cornering feel by automatically applying the brakes so that load is increased on the front wheels. The system also modulates engine torque. Active Trace Control also applies selective braking to help create increased steering response in S-turns and other steering operations. When Sport mode is engaged, the level of braking applied by this feature is reduced. Those brakes are world-class with 14 inch front vented rotors clamped with four-piston calipers, and 13.8 inch vented discs clamped with dual-piston calipers in the rear. Standard ABS, BA, EBD help me control my direction when braking on wet and slick pavement.

The interior cabin is magnificent-roomy, comfortable, luxurious, sporty, and convenient with high-tech infotainment and safety systems. I opened the doors and saw the interior completely covered in touch-to-the-touch materials. The seats are 10-way power adjustable for both up front and the leather is quilted for an extra luxurious touch. The power tilt/telescopic/leather-wrapped/two-driver memory steering wheel feels perfect in my hands and contains buttons for the monster audio system and cruise control. The instrument cluster features large Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges with gear-like rings on the instrument cluster meters-180mph speedometer/9,000rpm tachometer, plus smaller gauges for fuel on board and engine coolant temperature. I also love the 7-inch color vehicle information display and the stunning Infiniti analog clock dead in the center. An entry/exit assist system pulls the seat and steering wheel back when exiting and forward when entering for ease of each, sequential welcome lighting illuminated entry system and dual-zone automatic temperature with heated front bucket seats contribute to the M’s outstanding level of standard luxury appointments.

Standard technology equipment includes Bluetooth, Infiniti Intelligent Key with illuminated push button start/stop ignition, HomeLink Universal Transceiver and RearView monitor. Other interior highlights include a large center console, rear seat climate control vents, rear pull-down dual cupholders, 4-grab handles, dual map lights, dual lighted vanity mirrors, power windows with one-touch up/down, power door locks, power trunk release, retained accessory power, standard SiriusXM satellite radio and 6-speaker audio system with AM-FM-CD radio data system, Japanese Ash wood trim, USB connection port for iPod interface and other compatible devices and speed sensitive volume control. Also standard on all M models is Active Noise Control which generates ‘canceling’ sound from four door speakers (and subwoofer for models equipped with a Bose sound system) to reduce unpleasant engine harmonics. The cabin noise levels are monitored by two microphones located in the M’s ceiling, with no action needed from me or passengers except to enjoy the quiet, comfortable cabin.

For those consumers seeking a slightly higher level of features and technology, the Premium Package adds the next-generation Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation system with 8-inch WVGA color touch-screen display, NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Info, NavWeather with Real-Time Weather and 3-day forecast via Bluetooth. The Premium Package also includes a Bose 2-channel 10-speaker premium audio system, heated steering wheel and climate-controlled front seats.

For 2013, the Premium Package includes Infiniti Connection services, including available Automatic Crash Notification, Emergency Call, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, My Schedule, and Remote Door Lock/Unlock; and an Infiniti Connection Plus including Drive Zone, Speed Alert, Destination Assistance and in-vehicle access to Infiniti Personal Assistant-a 24/7 personal concierge service that is available at no charge for the first four years on ownership.

The Deluxe Touring Package also features semi-aniline leather and special genuine White Ash wood trim that has been enhanced with real silver powder. Also, the Forest Air system creates a sense of the refreshing climate and natural breezes of a relaxing forest setting. The new M37 is a complete sporty luxury sedan that is unique to itself.

Standard safety features include Infiniti Advanced airbag system driver/front passenger side impact and curtain airbags, 3-point, height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners/load limiters, front seat Active Head Restraints, LATCH system for child seats, a tire pressure monitor, vehicle security system, Infiniti vehicle immobilizer system and an emergency inside trunk release. The Technology Package includes these high-tech safety systems-Blind Sport Alert and Warning which is the world’s first system that, provides selective braking if the vehicle approaches an adjacent lane while another vehicle is detected in the blind spot area to help you return the vehicle back toward the center of the lane of travel, Lane Departure Alert, Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Brake Assist with Forward Collision Warning, front pre-crash seatbelts, and Adaptive Front headlights.