2005 Infiniti M45 Concept

Refining the Modern Muscle Car

The Infiniti M45 is a modern muscle car dressed in Brioni suit. Its 340 horsepower V8 makes it wickedly quick but as for styling, it’s not necessarily a trendsetter.

The previous Infiniti M45’s understated styling disguised its muscle car alter ego, but not any more. The new concept, said to be very close to production trim, is gorgeous. But what would happen if the M45 doffed its conservative image and suddenly showed up at Manhattan’s Tribeca Grand tonight sporting a new two-piece shaped by John Varatos? It would get the attention it deserves.

The automotive equivalent took place earlier this month at NYC’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the home of the New York International Auto Show. The new car is anything but dowdy, a spectacle of modern design that makes most of its competition look in need of a makeover.

“The M45 Concept is an expression of power, refinement, technology and style – all the things that make Infiniti owners’ hearts pound,” said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division.

In similar fashion the new concept follows a pattern set out by the XVL concept that presaged the ultra-hot G35 sedan, giving little reason to believe the production M45 will vary a great deal from the general design of what we see in these pages. In actuality the M45 Concept started life as the Fuga, a concept that debuted in Tokyo late last year, and shows little change from its transition to its current prototype form.