2011 INFINITI M56 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The belle of the Japanese automobile ball is here in the form of the 2011 Infiniti M56. This reinvention of the popular M45 luxury sedan features a sculpted torso that’s added a few inches of length, height, and width, yet manages to look trimmer than ever. Aggressive yet elegant curves and a softening of its once staid, predictable look hide these extra inches to present a leaner, meaner appearance well suited to its increased power and performance. This tech-heavy sedan-in-coupe-clothing is available in two trim levels, the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Base, and the all-wheel-drive M56x AWD. Though still trailing Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi in this upscale market, Nissan expects its refined Infiniti M series will lure those on a stricter budget away from the more expensive, Euro-dominated luxury sedans to sample a bit of the exotic orient.
A potent 5.6-liter V8 powerplant replaces the 4.5-liter V8 of the previous M generation, adding some 95 extra horses and 81 more lb-ft of torque for a total of 420 hp and 417 lb-ft. The standard seven-speed auto-manual transmission has been tweaked with a transmission hill-holder feature, while the M56x AWD uses a center-mounted, mechanical limited-slip differential to provide full-time AWD traction and security. Mileage is estimated at 15/25 in the RWD Base M56, while the M56x AWD is expected to get 16/25. As with the previous generation of M series sedans, the new M56 uses only premium unleaded gasoline.
Still tech-savvy, spacious, and upscale, the 2011 M56 has a more refined cabin atmosphere, with premium leather upholstery, and genuine wood, leather, and alloy accents tweaked and reconfigured for greater ergonomic efficiency and a more comfortable interior ambiance. Heated, power-adjustable front seats with power-adjustable lumbar supports, split-folding rear bench seating, remote power door locks, power-retractable heated outside mirrors, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, universal remote garage door opener, keyless ignition, dual-zone climate control, memory for driver’s settings, a single-CD player with 10 Bose premium speakers and 5.1 surround sound, XM satellite radio, voice-activated DVD navigation, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, and a USB connection are all standard amenities with the M56. Options, meanwhile, consist of a number of packages featuring upgraded audio components, additional cabin accents, and Infiniti’s unique Forest Air cabin air purification system, while 18-inch spoked aluminum alloy wheels and illuminated kick-plates are among the stand-alone options.
Safety equipment is not neglected on the new M56, with four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, active front headrests, a remote anti-theft alarm, front fog/driving lights, self-leveling xenon HID headlights, and a post-collision safety system all standard. The optional Technology Package adds radar-interfaced Intelligent Cruise Control, a front collision warning system, active stability control, and blind spot and lane intervention warning systems, with a vehicle impact alarm sensor also available as a stand-alone safety option.
Though the 2011 Infiniti M56 tries hard, many owners feel intimidated by what one describes as “technological overkill”; this vehicle includes far too many buttons, controls, gizmos, and gadgets for the average driver to assimilate. The lack of a park-assist feature, as well as the unavailability of a power-closing trunk lid, cheapens this snazzy sedan in the minds of some, while others complain that ride quality deteriorates and the interior gets significantly noisier when encountering rough pavement. For the most part, however, owners are well-pleased with the reworked exterior and interior, while many laud the M56’s generally comfortable yet firm ride characteristics, reasonable mileage figures, and its overall value. Doubtless to Nissan/Infiniti’s delight, many current owners of the M series luxury autos seem to have, indeed, been weaned from their Euro-sedan complacency.
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2011 INFINITI M56 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Polyphenol air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 9.3GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 16
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.1 · Rear brake width: 0.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: dual level · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: sunglasses holder · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.61
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in. · Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: anti-trapping feature
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.9 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.1
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Speed Rating: W · Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: aluminum
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 9.3GB · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 9
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.1 · Rear brake width: 0.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: front seatback · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 2.61
Engine
Alternator: 150 amps
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 8 in. · Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.6 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.90
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation