By Greg Rubenstein
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• Gorgeous styling, a finely-finished interior and sporty performance make the new M a great package.



• Even with V6 power the M doesn't disappoint.



• Can a mid-size really make it as a luxury flagship? Hmm.

Remember Infiniti's first TV commercials? They featured blowing leaves and Zen themes but not much about the actual cars. Don't feel too bad if you can't remember-they did air 21 years ago after all. Besides, Nissan's luxury brand would rather forget its early marketing efforts that pushed principles over product, too.

When it comes to cars, it always comes down to the product. Even General Motors is getting the idea these days. But back to Infiniti, and more specifically it's repositioned, refined and redesigned for 2011 M model. Having without fanfare dropped the formerly line-topping model Q, the M carries on as Infiniti's flagship.

Available as the M37 with a 3.7-liter V6 or as the M56, with a 5.6-liter V8, this standard bearer is far sportier than its Q predecessor. Rear-wheel or all-wheel driver is offered in either M37 trim, with a 330-horsepower engine, or M56 trim offering 420-horsepower. All models are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Opt for the rear-wheel drive version and a sport package is available that includes 20-wheels and performance tires, sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes and four-wheel active steering along with magnesium paddle shifters on the steering wheel for easier access to manually control the transmission.

As is expected in any luxury line's flagship, the M is outfitted as a technology showcase offering all the performance, convenience, comfort and safety features the manufacturer can muster. Infiniti has long been recognized as a technological leader-its pioneering 3D navigation display has long been an industry benchmark-and the mix of new and refined features doesn't disappoint.

For the driver, a four-mode control over throttle and transmission mapping can turn the M from sedate highway cruiser to responsive sport sedan at the flick of a switch. For improved cornering performance, braking control and engine torque (in all-wheel drive variants) is optimized independently at each wheel.

Active noise control helps keep the cabin remarkably quiet for driver and passengers alike, while the combination of a blind-spot warning and blind-spot intervention systems will not only help keep passengers safe, it will actively move the M back to the center of the lane should driver inattention cause lane "drift."

For the ecology-minded, there's an "eco-pedal" mode that provides driver feedback via gas pedal resistance to encourage economical driving behavior, along with a "Forest Air" heating/cooling system that both helps to reduce intrusion of outside odors and provides a breezy airflow. The latter's more gimmick than useful function, but it's cool nonetheless.

Infiniti didn't just update the M's mechanicals, it created a swoopy new exterior that is at the same time athletic and elegant. There's no mistaking its familial resemblance to the smaller G model sedan or FX and EX sport utes, but the M's styling is by far the most handsome of the bunch.

With dramatically styled fender flares, sharply down-flowing hood and trunk lines and monster wheel arches appropriately stuffed with the sport package's gorgeous 20-inch five double-spoke wheels the M looks the part of a flagship, though perhaps at 7/8-scale. If we had one quibble with the M, it would be as a standard-bearer for Infiniti its dimensions are a class-size down (which the M used to be); in size it's certainly not as large as the Mercedes-Benz S-class or Lexus LS, for example. This isn't necessarily that bad a rap against Infiniti-a downsized flagship makes sense these days, but when competing at the highest end of the automotive market, size does matter.

Inside, the fit, finish and interior appointments are well executed, compelling and as nicely done as anything in the luxury class. There's a beautiful Japanese Ash wood trim and soft touch points all around making the inside highly appealing for driver and passengers.

We spent a week testing a rear-drive M37 with sport package and came away wanting nothing but more seat time. Whether on the freeway or in town, its ride is supple with a definite sport feeling to it. Handling around corners is flat and braking is precise. The M is a driver's car that can soak up long miles without returning driver fatigue.

EPA rated at 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, the M37 can also serve as an economical commuter-one with exemplary handling and appointments; you might need a waiting list to handle the ride-along hopefuls.

At a base price of $46,250 for the M37-$54,660 including sport and premium packages as tested-the M is a relative bargain in the luxury market. The all-wheel drive M37x comes in with a starting price $48,400, while the M56 base is $57,550 ($60,050 for the M56x AWD).

2011 Infiniti M bonus photos...