oxegsgvyb: Infiniti M37x

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After a long hiatus, the M nameplate was used for Infiniti's mid-luxury sedans (executive cars). First was the short-lived M45 sedan, a rebadged version of the Japanese-spec Nissan Gloria. The next generations, the M35/45 and M37/56/35h/30d, became the flagship of the Infiniti brand and are based on the JDM Nissan Fuga.

2011 Infiniti M37x Exterior

2011 Infiniti M37x
The Infiniti M30 (chassis code F31) was a 2-door GT coupe introduced with the Q45 as the start of the Infiniti line in 1990, as a stopgap until other models could be produced. The M30 was basically a Japanese Nissan Leopard built with left-hand drive and rebadged as an Infiniti, and had added luxury features. The other main changes were in the engine, transmission and suspension. The M30 was only sold in the United States.

2011 Infiniti M37x and M56

The M30 had no factory options, but dealers offered the addition of a cellular phone and a CD player/changer. The sole engine was Nissan's VG30E, a 3.0 L SOHC V6 that produced 162 hp (121 kW) and 180 ft·lbf (244 N·m) of torque, also used by many previous Nissan models such as the Maxima and 300ZX. Like the 300ZX, the M30 was a front-engined and rear-wheel drive vehicle. The transmission was an RE4R01A, four-speed automatic with overdrive, as enabled or disabled by a button on the shifter. There was no option of a manual transmission. The differential was a Nissan R200-type open differential. It is generally regarded among M30 enthusiasts that the change of powertrain, weak suspension and the lack of options in these categories was a mistake on Infiniti's part, and perhaps to blame for the lackluster sales. The M30 (coupe) weighed about 3300lbs (1498kgs), and produced 162 hp (121 kW). Unsurprisingly, the M30 convertible weighed even more, due to body and chassis reinforcements. This is regarded as a good thing to some, because the chassis is noticeably stiffer than it is on the coupes. All M30s came equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission.

2011 Infiniti M37X

The M30 was equipped with the Nissan Sonar Suspension II system that was also installed on the Maxima at the time, which featured a sonar module mounted under the front bumper that scanned the road surface and adjusted the suspension accordingly via actuators mounted on the strut towers. There was also a switch on the center console that allowed the driver to change between "Sport" and "Comfort" settings—essentially "firm" and "soft", respectively.

2012 Infiniti M56 Photo

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For 1991 and onwards, the M30 received minor improvements. If an exterior door handle was pulled while the doors were locked, the keyhole would illuminate and the interior dome light would come on (coupe). There was also an available central locking switch placed next to the Sonar Suspension II adjuster, although it is not known whether this was a standard feature or option for 1991-92 models. Main gauge cluster text was changed to match the rest of the Infiniti lineup, and engine oil temperature and fuel gauges were switched around. The speedometer was also changed to the electric-type, as opposed to the cable-type used on the 1990 model.

Lisle 2011 Infiniti M37x

2011 Infiniti M37x AWD Review

2011 Infiniti M37 luxury
The M30 convertible was the sole convertible of the Infiniti line, until the Infiniti G37 convertible's introduction in 2009. Infiniti selected about half of the models produced from 1991 to 1992 and had them made into convertibles by the ASC (American Sunroof Corporation). Convertible tops were fully automatic, requiring the driver only to push the up or down buttons to the left of the steering wheel to raise or lower the top (up/down buttons on convertibles went in place of the rear window defogger switch found on coupes).

2011 Infiniti M56 and M37x

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While the power tops on these did not need extensive maintenance for quite a while, they could be operated manually if necessary. All M30 coupes had power tilting/sliding sunroofs standard, with "auto-cut" while sliding to the closed position to prevent anything from getting caught.