2008 INFINITI M35 Trims and Specs

It might be easier to list what the 2008 Infiniti M35 Base doesn't have. The luxury mid-sized sedan adds standard heated and cooled seats and xenon headlamps this year to an already well-equipped package. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 that delivers 275-hp and 268 ft-lbs of torque. It is matched to a 5-speed shiftable automatic with downshift rev matching. The rear-wheel drive sedan seats four, with 44 inches of front legroom and 37 inches in the backseat. A folding armrest doubles as a pass-through to the 15 cubic foot trunk.

Luxury is the key here. 10-way power front seats feature driver's memory settings. Full power features include remote entry and a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel. Wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, upgraded wood trim, and a 6-CD player with MP3 capability and satellite radio, and Bluetooth are all standard. The trip computer sports a 7-inch screen. The dash has been revised, with electroluminescent gauges, and includes a compass and temperature display. In terms of safety, the 2008 M35 Base offers up 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction and stability control, 18-inch alloy wheels, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows. Active head restraints, a tire monitor, first aid kit, and automatic headlights are also standard.

There are lots of option packages. A Sport package improves handling with its sport suspension, new alloy accents, and 19-inch alloy wheels. Other packages add a voice-activated 3D navigation system with Real Time Traffic, the new Lane Departure Prevention System, a rearview camera, Bose sound system, and a 9 GB hard drive. A rear spoiler is also available.

The 2008 Infiniti M35 AWD shares characteristics with the Base trim, but adds the full-time automatic AWD system. The system defaults to rear-wheel drive, but can be set at a 50/50 split. Otherwise, it adjusts torque automatically according to slippage. It comes with a center limited slip differential. The weight of the AWD reduces fuel economy slightly to 16/22 mpg. The powertrain is the same as the Base -- a 275-hp, 3.5-liter DOHC V6 with 268 ft-lbs of torque. A 5-speed automatic features manual mode.

Traction and stability control, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, six airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, and active head restraints are all standard. The 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires come with a tire monitor. Xenon headlights are new this year, joining the foglights, automatic headlights, and auto-dimming reaview mirror. Options include a lane departure warning system and a rearview camera. Like the Base, the 2008 M35 AWD has an array of power features, including 10-way front seats with memory settings, remote entry, remote start, a garage opener, and tilt and telescopic steering. A 6-CD player features MP3 playback and satellite radio, and can be upgraded with Bose speakers. Cruise and audio controls reside on the steering wheel. A trip computer, compass and temperature display, heated mirrors, sunroof, leather seats, and intermittent wipers are also standard. New for 2008 are heated and cooled seats.

The sedan seats four spaciously, with front and rear cupholders and dual-zone climate control for passenger comfort. The 15 cubic foot trunk comes with a cargo net. Options add a sport-tuning package (with larger wheels, more chrome, and active rear steering) and a lot more technology. This includes a highly praised voice-activated navigation system, a DVD player, and a 9.3 GB hard drive.