- 4.5 liter V8 producing 340 horsepower
- 5 speed automatic transmission
- Sport tuned suspension
- 18” Alloy wheels
- HID headlights
- Climate controlled front seats
- CD player
With a top speed of 145 mph, and a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds, the M45 was a serious contender among sports sedans in 2003-04. Its base price of $42,300 was right in the range of its European and Japanese competitors.
Intended to fill the gap between the G35, V6 powered sports sedan, and the range topping Q45 luxury sedan. The M45 was in fact, a Japan domestic market Nissan Gloria, which was powered by a six cylinder engine. Nissan stuffed the 4.5 liter V8 from the Q45, and it transformed the car from mundane to high performance.
The M45 was only built for two years, and only 8,300 were sold. Way below the expectations of Nissan. It may be that the car was dated in respect to 2003 styling, and certainly it looked like nothing else in the U.S market Infiniti or Nissan lineup.
However, it remains one of the best cars that Infiniti ever offered, in terms of performance and driving pleasure. And arguably, one of the best looking. A very handsome car, that has aged well, especially compared to its mid-2000 era Infiniti siblings. Today, it is a sought after car, popular among JDM fans, as its styling is more relative to a Skyline, than a US Nissan product.
This particular car has very low mileage, and I purchased it from the original owner. He meticulously maintained it, and it retains all of its original equipment down to its factory floor mats.
It drives and handles like a dream. I was an Infiniti dealer from 1989 to 2024, and I fondly recall having one when new. Nice to have one again, and remember Infiniti when they offered such a wonderful car. Really reminds me a lot of the original 1990 Q45. An understated Japanese luxury super sedan.