2011 Infiniti M at 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

LOS ANGELES — Nissan teased American audiences with a glimpse of the redesigned 2011 Infiniti M sedan earlier this year at Pebble Beach, then gave Japanese customers a closer look last month at the M's home-market sibling, the redesigned Nissan Fuga sedan, which debuted officially at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. Now the spotlight returns to Los Angeles, where the 2011 M — longer, lower and wider than its predecessor — is being revealed in full detail at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The all-new M37 and M56 go on sale in spring 2010, to be joined a year later by a new M35 Hybrid. The standard gasoline models will be available in rear-wheel-drive variants as well as all-wheel drive (M37x and M56x).

The M37 shares its DOHC 3.7-liter V6 with the smaller Infiniti G37. In the M, the V6 makes 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The M56 gets a new direct-injection 5.6-liter V8, rated at 420 hp and 417 lb-ft. Both engines are coupled with Nissan's seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control and a choice of four driving modes — Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow.

Rear-wheel-drive models can be ordered with a Sport package that bundles four-wheel active steering, sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes and 20-inch wheels and tires, as well as sport bucket seats, sport steering wheel and shift knob, aluminum-trimmed pedals, magnesium paddle shifters and a unique front fascia with dark-finish grille and headlamp housings.

Nissan is also introducing a host of new technologies on the 2011 Infiniti M, including active noise control, active trace control and blind-spot warning/intervention, while extending such systems as intelligent cruise control, lane-departure warning/prevention, distance control assist, intelligent brake assist with forward collision warning and adaptive front lighting. Some of those features are bundled in a Technology package, while others can be ordered as stand-alone options.

A Premium package and a Touring package also are available.

Inside Line says: Depending on your choice of powertrain and option packages, we're guessing you'll be able to price this baby over 60 grand very quickly. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent