MotorMouths

The Infiniti M feels so nimble that you forget it’s larger than the current M. Stylish and powerful, the new version has improved in every way.

The all-new M37X deserves to be the flagship of almost anybody’s lineup. In many ways, it is a perfectly balanced automobile, precisely positioned between sport and luxury, infused with technology but not intimidating, elegantly styled without being flashy.

Infiniti’s new ’11 M sedan presents a great mix of ridiculous power, astonishing fuel economy and parental-like controls sure to please, and perhaps perplex, buyers.

So the 2011 Infiniti M37 seems to have the potential to be as good as, if not better than, the competition. But potential is a lot different from reality. We wouldn’t pass up a 5 Series, E-Class or XF in favor of this new Infiniti.

The 2012 Infiniti M is the most sporting in its segment of premium sedans, but its firm ride might be a turn-off for luxury-minded buyers seeking a more gracious driving experience.

The M56 is a worthy competitor in many ways, but the transmission is a shortcoming that sullies the M sedan’s claim to sport stardom.

The M56 wants to cruise, but the M37 wants to romp, rollick and spend the afternoon intoxicated by its own redline. Short of the turbocharged BMW 535i, the M37 may be the only six-cylinder-powered car in this class that a hardcore driving enthusiast could really love.

With a little fine-tuning, we’re confident the stiff-legged 2011 Infiniti M56 Sport will rise to the top of any sport sedan comparison of style, technology, speed and handling.

The Infiniti M has all the trappings of a great car. It’s beautiful, loaded with power and performance and cutting edge technology. But it still seems to be searching for its soul. There’s a sterile quality about all of it. It’s stoic and impersonal, and maybe that’s exactly what it wants to be.