MSRP Range: $42,500 to $48,500

Invoice Range: $38,000 - $45,500
Price Quote

MSRP As Tested: $42,360

Versions: None

Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Luxury Sedan

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive

Engine As Tested: 4.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, V8, 340-horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 333 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm

Transmission As Tested: 5-Speed Automatic

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 17/23

Standard Safety Features: Driver and Front Passenger, front and side airbags, power 4-wheel disc brakes, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Antilock Braking System, Traction Control, In-Trunk Emergency Trunk Release

Competition: Acura RL, Audi A6, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS 430, Lexus LS 430, Mercedes-Benz E-Class

When it comes to mid-size luxury cars with beefy V8 power, there are plenty of choices including stalwarts like the Mercedes E-class, Audi A6, BMW 5-series and Jaguar S-type.

All those are great cars, but in V8 trim they can get rather pricey -- well over $50,000 in most cases.

For those who want highly refined V8 performance and stylish luxury at a price that's not so sickening, Infiniti offers the all-new M45. Priced around $42,000, it has the same incredible V8 as its more expensive Q45 stablemate, along with a sporty suspension and classy, comfortable interior. Think of it as an athletic Q without all the bells and whistles.

Compared with the flagship Q, the M45 has a stiffer suspension that keeps it more closely aligned with the great European sport sedans -- and makes it much more fun to drive, especially with the traction control turned off. It also has more responsive steering and a completely new body that exudes classic American style.

But, the heart of the M45 is its award-winning 4.5-liter, aluminum intensive V8 engine that makes a buttery smooth 340 horsepower. No matter where you mash the accelerator -- on the highway, in a corner or at a stoplight -- the engine is always anxious to send loads of power instantly to the rear wheels for a thrilling, inspiring jolt.

Equally impressive is the sporty handling afforded by a fully independent suspension adapted from the Q45. While it does allow some body roll, it keeps the 3,850-pound car firmly planted in corners and provides a decent amount of driving feedback without jarring passengers.

There are no complaints about the 5-Speed Automatic transmission, also taken straight from the Q45, that offers perfectly smooth shifts under virtually all conditions.

Inside, M45 comes standard with leather seats, real bird's eye maple trim, a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, a terrific Bose stereo and an LCD screen to control all the gadgets.

Some high-tech options include a navigation system, XM or Sirius satellite radio, a larger 7-inch display, and intelligent cruise control that automatically adjusts the M45's speed to keep a set following distance from another vehicle.

There are only two gripes about the interior -- the back seat doesn't have enough leg room, and the computerized control system can be difficult to operate. Commands that should be simple, like adjusting the blower to defrost the windshield, take multiple button pushes and several glances at the LCD screen before they're complete. This isn't the direction technology should take us.

Aside from those quibbles, there's little not to like about the M45. It has plenty of head and hip room, a large and deep trunk, high-quality interior materials, and perfectly located controls for the driver and passengers.

That, coupled with inspiring V8 performance, shows that Infiniti is clearly giving Europe a run for your money.

Pros: It has the amazing V8 engine from Infiniti's expensive Q45, along with a sportier ride and better steering feel in a luxurious package.

Cons: Knee room in the rear seat can be cramped, and computer-based controls are overly complicated to make some simple adjustments.

Ratings (1-10)

• Style: 8
• Performance: 8
• Price: 8
• Handling: 8
• Ride: 6
• Comfort: 7
• Quality: 9
• Overall: 7.7

MORE DATA

Where Built: Japan

Seating: 5

Number of Rows: 2

Crash Test Ratings:

• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: To Be Determined
• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: To Be Determined
• NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: To Be Determined
• NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: To Be Determined
• NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: To Be Determined
• IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: To Be Determined

Length in Inches: 197.2

Warranties: 4 years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 7 years/unlimited miles corrosion, 6/70,000 mile powertrain, 4 years of free roadside assistance.

Weight in Pounds: 3,851

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Applicable

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 21.1

Destination Charge: $545

MSRP Range: $42,500 to $48,500

Invoice Range: $38,000 - $45,500
Price Quote

MSRP As Tested: $42,300

Versions: None

Vehicle Category: Mid-Size Luxury Sedan

Engine Location: Front Engine

Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive

Engine As Tested: 4.5-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, V8, 340-horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 333 lb-ft torque at 4,000 rpm

Transmission As Tested: 5-Speed Automatic

Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 17/23

Standard Safety Features: Driver and Front Passenger, front and side airbags, power 4-wheel disc brakes, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Antilock Braking System, Traction Control, In-Trunk Emergency Trunk Release

Competition: Acura RL, Audi A6, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS 430, Lexus LS 430, Mercedes-Benz E-Class,

VALLEJO, Calif. -- The narrow path of California 12 through Napa Valley, draped like black ribbon over rolling hills covered by grape-laden vineyards, provides only sporadic spots for passing the sluggish traffic of wine-tasting tourists clogging this route.

When one of those rare moments arrives -- no yellow line on the pavement prohibiting a pass, no hilltop blocking a view down the road and no vehicles approaching -- you must act quickly to take the pass.

"Punch it," a passenger suggests. And we do.

What happens next amounts to powertrain magic because our large and luxurious sedan -- the new M45 by Infiniti, spin-up brand of luxury and performance cars from Nissan of Japan -- rockets through the passing lane.

Only a modest prod on the throttle snaps shoulders back into a padded bucket and hurls almost two tons of steel, chrome and cushy leather forward in a surprising demonstration of sheer accelerative force.

Such strength, drawn from a sophisticated V8 that produces as much as 340 hp, clearly establishes this new mid-size luxury sedan at the top of the class for pure muscular power.

It easily beats all of the mid-size luxury sedan competitors typically equipped with six-cylinder engines -- by anywhere from 90 to 146 hp.

Yet it also out-powers all of the pricy V8 rivals -- by figures ranging from 40 to 68 hp. Then it beats them again when comparing price points.

Infiniti sets the MSRP for a well-equipped M45 at $42,300 plus $545 for delivery. Pick all options to load M45 to the max and the cap figure still won't top $50,000.

By comparison, the base MSRP of M45 easily beats bottom prices for all V8 rivals in this class -- by substantial margins in a range from $5,000 to $12,000. And the $42,300 tag even undercuts most competitors with V6 powertrains. Combine the class-leading V8 power with attractive price tags and you end up with a true luxury bargain. What's the deal?

M45 becomes the third new sedan in Infiniti's line, slipping into a slot in size and price between the larger Q45 (priced from $50,500 to $59,000) and smaller but sporty G35 ($27,000 to $37,000). Actually, it amounts to an abbreviated version of Q45.

It packs the powertrain and transmission of Q45, similar mechanical hardware including a four-wheel independent suspension system, even the same configuration for a luxury-laced passenger compartment.

Differences between M45 and Q45 only become apparent with rulers and scales, as the Q runs about three inches longer and wider and it's an inch taller. With more mass, it weighs more by perhaps a hundred pound or so.

Those extra inches of space show up primarily in the rear seat of Q45 as additional legroom, while the weight difference favors M45 because it translates into even quicker acceleration and performance numbers.

Chassis and structural elements for a new M45 come directly from the Gloria, a mid-size Nissan sedan available only in Japan.

Likewise, the subdued exterior styling of M45 compares closely to the Gloria with a smooth face and flat flanks.

In front a broad grille dominates the design with horizontal bars in chrome separating corner headlamp clusters with round clear lenses in triplicate shielding high intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlights.

A crisp notch in canted plane several inches wide separates the front hood and fender, then extends to the tail in a line dividing the cabin from smooth side slabs interrupted only by exaggerated wheelwell arches.

The M45 rolls on huge 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels capped by P235/45WR18 tires -- Bridgestone high performance summer tires or the no-extra-cost option of Michelin all-season performance tires.

Fully independent suspension elements include independent front struts with coil springs and a multi-link design at the rear also with coil springs.

The arrangement is comparable to the Q45 suspension, although tuning for stiffer shock damping and adding thicker stabilizer bars produces a firmer ride quality.

High-tech hardware driven by microcomputers also consorts to effect the controlled handling traits. Subtle force governs the quick rack and pinion steering system, while a big disc brake goes to every wheel, plus linkage to anti-lock action, a traction controller and brake booster for maximum force in emergency maneuvers.

Further, the M carries Infiniti's Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), a computerized system coupled to brakes and powertrain that can automatically correct the vehicle's lateral skidding on slippery pavement and move it back into a safe forward track.

That powertrain is also high-tech machinery.

Set longitudinally with all force directed to the rear wheels, the V8 displaces 4.5 liters and comes with dual overhead cams, modular cylinder heads and titanium valves, a continuously variable valve timing control system and electronic throttle.

Output climbs to 340-hp peaking at 6,400 rpm with torque climbing up to 333 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm.

It connects to an efficient electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission that provides combined automatic and manual shifter gates.

The five-seat cabin contains world-class luxuries and elegant appointments, along with high-tech gear and power-motivated gizmos that make the experience of driving and riding safe and comfortable, even fun.

Plush leather covers seats and door panels, with strips of bird's-eye maple wood running across doors and dash, console and steering wheel. The Infiniti signature of an oval analog clock mounts at the center of the dash above the console, and a high center pod contains controls for audio and climate systems plus the LCD screen of a vehicle information system.

More gear clusters in packages, such as the $950 Comfort and Convenience Package and the $2,200 Premium Package with front seats heated or cooled, a power sunroof, and Infiniti's voice recognition system to run audio, climate and navigation equipment through voice commands.

MORE DATA

Where Built: Japan

Seating: 5

Number of Rows: 2

Crash Test Ratings:

• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Driver Crash Test Rating: To Be Determined
• NHTSA Frontal Impact/Passenger Crash Test Rating: To Be Determined
• NHTSA Side Impact/Front Seat Crash Test Rating: To Be Determined
• NHTSA Side Impact/Rear Seat Crash Test Rating: To Be Determined
• NHTSA Rollover Resistance Rating: To Be Determined
• IIHS Frontal Offset Crash Test: To Be Determined

Length in Inches: 197.2

Warranties: 4 years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 7 years/unlimited miles corrosion, 6/70,000 mile powertrain, 4 years of free roadside assistance.

Weight in Pounds: 3,851

Towing Capacity in Pounds: Not Applicable

Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 21.1

Destination Charge: $545