Not sure if this is news to everyone but I had the opportunity of participating in a focus group today that involved evaluating luxury cars. Turned out to be a comparison between a Mercedes E 320 , BMW540i and an Infiniti M35!!

The M35 is a cross between the G35 and the M45 with a 3.5 tuned to coupe specs including a full dual exhaust. A great looking car. Anyone interested in more details?

2003.5 G35 6MT Black/Graphite
1987 GN Intercooled SFI Turbo
1970 GS 455 Stage 1 4-Speed

 

lol pictures too! [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

my mom wants to replace her current E420 with the newer E class model. i'd like to see what infiniti has to compare.

<font color=purple>.g35girl.</font color=purple>

 

This was like a top secret event! I was asked if I had a camera with me and had to surrender my mobile phone because it could take pictures!! To me the E330 looked way to conventional, almost boring. The M35 looked closer to the BMW. If you can, point your mom to the E55 or the soon to arrive E65 and you will be one happer camper.

2003.5 G35 6MT Black/Graphite
1987 GN Intercooled SFI Turbo
1970 GS 455 Stage 1 4-Speed

 

Isnt this basicly an M45 but with the Vq35 egnine in it? I rather have the V6 over the VK45 that in the FX/M/Q45 because the Vq35 rwds have more aftermarket parts because of the 350Z. Besides the car wont be that fast because of its weight. The M45 is doing about 0-60 in about 6 flat so expect this to do about the same perfromance and the F35 around 7 flat and if lucky the performance of a full loaded 4spd Maxima 6.8.

 

Are you sure there will be a M35? I really wish there would be one and price it at $35k.

 

Is this the current M45 but with the 3.5 engine instead of the V8? If so, why??

1). M45 is ugly and not selling. Why would a V6 help it?
2). Why would they be comparing it to a BMW 540, which is a V8?
3). Now, if Infiniti put the 4.5 V8 in the G coupe & sedan; that I would be very intested in!!!

 

It was definately an M35 and was smaller then the M45 but larger then the G35. It had a lot of rear seat room and had an option package just for the back seat that included video screen, seperate climate contol, sound system and so on. Base price was $39K with about 5 option packages like sports package, a hign end voice activated nav and information system, a premium sound system. Fully equiped the price would be closer to $45. But this was all "estimated". Some of the questions were "What would you pay for this car?' "How much would you may for this option? I also had to select the personality characteristicsof the typical driver, married ? How many kids? Was the design more masculine or feminine? I had to look at all the cars from 8 different angles and give my impressions! There was no indication that the car would even be built but my guess is it will. I sat in both interior designs , sport and luxury and had to comment on each. Both were AT.

2003.5 G35 6MT Black/Graphite
1987 GN Intercooled SFI Turbo
1970 GS 455 Stage 1 4-Speed

 

Reply to
Is this the current M45 but with the 3.5 engine instead of the V8? If so, why??

1). M45 is ugly and not selling. Why would a V6 help it?
2). Why would they be comparing it to a BMW 540, which is a V8?
3). Now, if Infiniti put the 4.5 V8 in the G coupe & sedan; that I would be very intested in!!!
Unquote

The M35 was smaller then the M45 but was much slicker looking with better contours. It is a whole new car. The interior was much more plush with more fit and finish then our G35. I don't think the M45 is ugly but this M35 was much nicer.
I don't know why they compared it to the BMW but obviously they are trying to compete with the two cars I mentioned. The 3.5 was at least up to G35 Coupe specs including dual exhaust with quad tips. It was RWD with no mention of AWD. Offering the V8 would defintely put it over the top. But that would drive me nuts so I hope that waits until I can afford to trade up from the G

2003.5 G35 6MT Black/Graphite
1987 GN Intercooled SFI Turbo
1970 GS 455 Stage 1 4-Speed

 

I was recruited by mail not by a phone call or I would have had the same concerns as you. The documentation said "no sales solicitation will result" and it turned out to be true. I had a blast and picked up a tax free C note. I would have done it for free!

2003.5 G35 6MT Black/Graphite
1987 GN Intercooled SFI Turbo
1970 GS 455 Stage 1 4-Speed

 

This was disscussed on my350z.com that if we did put a V8 in a G35 or Z that the car would loose its balance and that it would need a whole new suspension system.

 

Well here is what the word is. The new M45 will be here in February. It will be a 45 or 35 option like the fx. The front will look like a big g35 coupe. the rest of the body will look like a g35 4 door on steroids. Here is the weird part. When it comes out in February it is being marketed as a 2006 model. I think they are doing that so people who bought 2003 m45's don't feel cheated since that body style just came out in America even though it has been in Japan for some time now. Who knows. I do not have any pics yet. I read the Infiniti press release and that is the jist of what it said.
Thanks

 

Based on what I saw, ronnie5 did a good job discribing the car. It did look a little smaller then the current M45 but maybe it was the body style. It is much better looking.(except for the console, which was you will either love or hate) I guess one could say M35 will be to the M45 what the GS300 is to the GS430. But if the M35 is going to have a price range of around $39 - $45K then the M45 is going to be higher. Which means the current M45 is under priced and a real bargin. If anyone is interested in stepping up to the V8, beat the price increase by getting the current M45.

2003.5 G35 6MT Black/Graphite Prem
1987 GN Intercooled SFI Turbo
1970 GS 455 Stage 1 4-Speed