Automotive Reminder

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
06/28/2016 at 21:43 • Filed to: Infiniti

The vehicle you see above is the Infiniti M56. One of the biggest criticisms against this vehicle is the fact that it is so focused on being sporty that reviewers and buyers determined it was “too hardcore” for its segment. Since the 2011 model year, this Infiniti has been around 300 lbs lighter than a comparable BMW 550i (still is by the way). It happens to be the only Nissan car to use the VK56VD. This all natty V8 produces 420hp and 417 lb-ft of torque in the M56, and a bit less in the Q70...and a bit less again in the Q70L version.

Here’s a quick list of everything that currently uses this engine from Wiki:

2010–present !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , 400 hp (300 kW) and 413 lbf·ft (560 N·m)

2016–present !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , 420 hp (310 kW) and 417 lbf·ft (565 N·m)

2011–present !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , 400 hp (300 kW) and 413 lbf·ft (560 N·m)

2011–2013 !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , 420 hp (310 kW) and 417 lbf·ft (565 N·m)

2014-present !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , 416 hp (310 kW) to 420 hp (310 kW) and 414 lbf·ft (561 N·m) to 417 lbf·ft (565 N·m)

2016-present !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

So we pretty much know this is a truck engine. An engine that was made to motivate 6,000 lb behemoths that was placed into a midsize sedan that is nearly 500 lbs lighter than a Hyundai Genesis Sedan. Not just a truck engine at that, but an engine made with the Nissan Patrol in mind. In this Infiniti midsize sedan, it happens to be the same powerplant as the brand new Nissan Patrol Nismo. Yes, an engine you could get in an executive car since the beginning of the decade just became the top trim of a super dune killing legend that has been adjust for better street performance. Neat!

I’m not saying this bulbous Infiniti is worth your time or some huge automotive enthusiast secret. I’m just letting you know that this vehicle is probably the opposite of what you would expect, and that’s the biggest issue with it. It looks like a soft riding, luxury filled, reliable, hyper beige barge. It is actually a harsh riding, not very luxurious, not particularly reliable, melted body paneled sports sedan that isn’t much heavier than a twin-turbo V6 equipped CTS, and has an engine that is pretty much a more rev-happy 5.7L HEMI. Or maybe it’s more comparable to the 2014 6.2L Chevrolet SS Sedan (the model year without a manual option I believe), except with better fuel economy.

Here is a stock exhaust clip from the refreshed Q70L.

Oh by the way, the 2011 Infiniti M56 has a 7-speed auto that rev matches downshifts, but you don’t get paddles unless you find a Sport model. Not that I recommend one unless you’re gonna stance it (get a V6 model then) or maybe turn it into some type of rally limo...

DISCUSSION (18)

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 21:51

I suddenly have a lot more respect for Nissan.

S65 > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 21:52

Kind of want

CB > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 21:53

There should be a showdown between this and the previous Genesis R-Spec with the V8.

LongbowMkII > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 21:54

Give me that nismo patrol. so stupid and tacky that I must have it.

Wobbles the Mind > LongbowMkII
06/28/2016 at 21:56

It’s the red accents in the fake vent that really lets you know shit is getting real.

LongbowMkII > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 22:02

I need 20k for a high mileage QX56 then God knows for the nismo front end. Donate plz.

Wobbles the Mind > CB
06/28/2016 at 22:03

It’s amazing how much Hyundai is targeting Infiniti but saying they are after the Germans and Lexus. The Genesis branding thing makes a lot more sense when you think of it as a direct attack on Infiniti.

Wobbles the Mind > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
06/28/2016 at 22:05

Japanese V8s don’t get enough love. You should hear the new Titan XD Gas, it is one of the best sounding stock exhaust sounds I have ever heard from a truck. The VK56VD is the shit!

Birddog > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 22:05

Oof. Comparing it to a Chevy SS? That’s not a good idea. I think I know where you wanted to go there though.

Wobbles the Mind > S65
06/28/2016 at 22:05

My job here is done.

Wobbles the Mind > Birddog
06/28/2016 at 22:10

2014 SS compared to 2011-13 M56! The changes for the 2015 SS and 2014 and on Q70 killed off any comparisons. One became an M5 successor, the other became a Hyundai.

Birddog > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 22:20

I’d still take an SS. Screw the reviewers. I like Vanilla. Vanilla is stable, secure, long lived.

A bit OT. Does anyone actually buy a Nissan/Infinity by choice anymore? I thought they took Mitsubishi’s spot in the wannabe hierarchy.

Speed > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 22:31

Badass! I hadn’t a clue!

interstate366, now In The Industry > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 22:35

Only one remotely close to me on Craigslist is a silver X, in Baltimore. 67k miles for $32k.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Wobbles the Mind
06/28/2016 at 22:37

It is actually a harsh riding, not very luxurious, not particularly reliable,

What? Where on earth did you come up with those three things?

sellphones2493 > Wobbles the Mind
06/29/2016 at 00:17

I always thought the rear looked really really cheap. Infiniti’s usually grow on me, but this one isn’t doing the trick.

Kinja'd!!!

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Wobbles the Mind
06/29/2016 at 00:57

The new-ish “endurance” v8 in the Titan XD sounds amazing. I’d take it over the Cummins on pure sound.

Also interesting to note, those V8's swap well into a 240sx and a t-56 6-speed for a drift machine.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Wobbles the Mind
09/22/2016 at 16:25

#1UZ