Infiniti virtually revealed the 2011 M sedan at the 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. There wasn't an actual 2011 Infiniti M on hand for the event, it was revealed using a 3D video mapping process and an actual car will be shown by the end of the year.
Infiniti is sticking with its proven M formula -- either V-6 or V-8 power and most likely a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. With M37 and M56 nomenclature, it's reasonable to expect a 5.6-liter V-8 packing at least 400 hp and the 3.7-liter V-6 to produce at least the same 328 hp it does in the G37 sedan. According to the press release, there will not be an increase in fuel consumption to go with the larger displacement engines, though no specific figures have been announced.
According to Infiniti, the 2011 M range draws inspiration from the Essence concept that debuted at the 2009 Geneva auto show. We don't find the lines of the sedan to be quite as sexy as the Essence concept, but the M looks quite stylish and clearly fits with the rest of the Infiniti product portfolio. The redesign seems to catapult the M instantly from bland to gorgeous; however, it's difficult to pass any final judgment on the shape until we see it in person.
Inside the M packs lots of technology and what appears to be nice leather and wood trim. Technology highlights include a blind spot monitoring system that will assist the driver if another vehicle is found to be in the blind spot during a lane change maneuver. Though there are no specific mentions of other technology in the press materials, it would be logical for Infiniti to also offer active cruise control, lane departure warning, and potentially even its around view camera system on the M sedan.
Look for an actual reveal of the production car later this year with an expected on-sale date of spring 2010 across the globe.