The Infiniti M, sold from 2013 as the Q70, was the brand’s mid-size luxury flagship. The Q70 was essentially an update of the M with minor cosmetic changes, renamed to fit Infiniti’s new “Q” nomenclature.
Infiniti M (Q70) at a glance
| Model | Infiniti M, renamed Infiniti Q70 in 2013 |
|---|---|
| Class | mid-size luxury sedan |
| Basis | Nissan Fuga (Japanese market) |
| Chinese sales | from 2012 |
| US sales | from the 2014 model year |
| Engines | 3.7 V6, 5.6 V8, 3.5 hybrid, 2.2d diesel |
| US outputs | 3.7 of 335 PS, 5.6 of 426 PS |
| UK outputs | 3.7 of 320 PS, hybrid of 364 PS |
| Gearbox | seven-speed automatic with Adaptive Shift Control |
| Europe | deliveries from December 2014, UK sales from 2015 |
| Long version | Q70L, from 2015, based on the Nissan Cima |
| End | discontinued after the 2019 model year |
The M nameplate was renamed Q70 in 2013; this article covers the M and Q70 flagship together.
History of the Infiniti M (Q70)
The Q70 name arrived in 2013, when the whole Infiniti range was renamed: the M sedans became the Q70, a name that reflected the model’s position in the line-up rather than its engine size, as the old names had done. The car was essentially an updated M with minor cosmetic changes, and the M itself was based on the Japanese-market Nissan Fuga; the line’s engines had been named M37, M56, M35h and M30d on that basis.
In the United States the Q70 went on sale for the 2014 model year in 3.7, 3.7 AWD, 5.6, 5.6 AWD and Hybrid forms, all with a seven-speed electronically controlled automatic with Adaptive Shift Control and a manual mode. Chinese sales had begun in 2012. European deliveries started in December 2014 with the 2.2d diesel and the Hybrid, and British sales followed in 2015 with the 2.2d, the 3.7 of 320 PS and the 364 PS Hybrid.
The 2014 facelift brought new front and rear fascias, a new grille, Infiniti’s signature LED headlights and tail lights, LED fog lights, mirrors with integrated indicators, three new body colours, revised 18-inch wheels, optional Backup Collision Intervention and standard Active Noise Control. The long-wheelbase Q70L, shown in 2015 and based on the Nissan Cima, added “sword brow” daytime running lights, semi-aniline leather, electrically operated rear doors and boot, and a rear entertainment system. In 2019 Nissan confirmed that the Q70, Q70L, Q30 and QX30 would be discontinued after the 2019 model year because buyers in Canada, Mexico and the United States preferred crossovers; the Q70L continued in China. Recalls affected 2014 hybrid cars with potentially damaged motor housings or a software fault, and 2014–15 cars with fuel pressure sensors that might not be tight enough.
Design and features
- Three power sources: 3.7-litre V6, 5.6-litre V8 and a 3.5-litre hybrid, plus a 2.2-litre diesel for Europe.
- Seven-speed automatic: Adaptive Shift Control with a manual mode on every model.
- Q70L: a long-wheelbase version based on the Nissan Cima, with electrically operated rear doors and a rear entertainment system.
- Long life in China: the Q70L was still offered there in 2022, after the Q70 left other markets.
Infiniti M (Q70) versions
- M37 / Q70 3.7: the V6 car, 335 PS in the United States and 320 PS in Britain.
- M56 / Q70 5.6: the V8 car with 426 PS.
- M35h / Q70 Hybrid: 364 PS in Britain.
- M30d: the diesel version of the M line.
- Q70L: the long-wheelbase model from 2015.
The M was the successor to the M45 and replaced the Q45 as Infiniti’s flagship; the Q50 used its styling language. More cars are in the Infiniti collection.
Video: Infiniti M saloon 2013 review – Carbuyer
Video by Carbuyer on YouTube.
Sources
- Infiniti Q70, English Wikipedia: naming, engines, markets, facelift, Q70L, discontinuation, recalls
- Infiniti M, English Wikipedia: Fuga basis, engine names including the 30d
