2008 INFINITI M45 Trims and Specs

Powered by a 4.5-liter DOHC V8 that puts out 325-hp and 336 ft-lbs of torque, the 2008 Infiniti M45 Base hits 0-60 in around six seconds. The engine is matched to a 5-speed shiftable automatic. This rear-wheel drive luxury sedan adds updated head and taillights, new foglights, chrome accents, and a more aggressive grille to its exterior. An optional rear spoiler is also new this year.

Safety features include 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, traction and stability control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, and a tire monitor. Dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows, seatbelt pretensioners, and active head restraints keep passengers safe in collisions. Crash test ratings have not been released yet. An optional Lane Departure Prevention system senses drifting and adjusts steering and braking accordingly. Also optional is a rearview camera.

On the luxury side, you'll find 10-way power front seats with memory settings, leather upholstery, a sunroof, heated and cooled seats, full power features, a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, remote start, remote entry, and heated mirrors. New gauges reside next to the trip computer with a 7-inch screen and the compass and temperature display. Cruise and audio controls sit on the wheel. A 6-CD player with MP3 playback and satellite radio can be upgraded to a Bose surround-sound system. Intermittent wipers, a first aid kit, Bluetooth, wood and leather trim, dual-zone climate control, and front and rear cupholders are also standard. A rear armrest hides a pass-through into the 15 cubic foot trunk. A cargo net is included.

Options for the 2008 M35 Base include a Sport Package that adds sport stitching, a sports suspension, active rear steering, 19-inch wheels, side sills, and aluminum pedals. A premium package features a voice-activated navigation system, a DVD player, a 9.3 GB hard drive, and reclining rear seats.

The 2008 Infiniti M45 AWD is new this year. It is exactly like the Base in terms of features, but adds the powerful electronic full-time automatic all-wheel drive system, complete with a center limited slip differential. On dry roads, it defaults to rear-wheel drive, but adjusts torque according to the road conditions. It works well with the 4.5-liter, 325-hp DOHC V8 and 5-speed shiftable automatic, though the 16/20 mpg is slightly lower than in the Base.

The luxury mid-sized sedan receives the same exterior and interior styling updates as the Base. An optional Lane Departure Prevention System actively controls the car when it senses the driver has ignored a warning alarm about lane drifting. Other standard safety features include traction and stability control, dual front-side and side curtain airbags, and 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution. Updated foglights, automatic headlights, xenon lamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power tilt side mirrors, a tire monitor, first aid kit, and 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires are also standard. A rearview camera is optional.

Like the Base, the 2008 M35 AWD has a fully array of power features, which include remote start, 10-way power front seats with driver's memory settings, and a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel. Upscale comfort is provided by leather upholstery, heated and cooled seats, and dual-zone climate control. Other equipment include a sunroof, 6-CD player with MP3 playback, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a trip computer with a 7-inch screen, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, and intermittent wipers. Revised wood and leather trim decorate the interior.

The old Sport trim is now the Sport Package, offering up a stiffer suspension, active rear steering, a sport steering wheel and shifter, aluminum pedals, and a new rear spoiler. The roomy interior seats four, with the option to add reclining rear seats and a DVD player. Most owners agree the highlight is the easy-to-use 3D navigation system with Real Time Traffic.