2011 Infiniti M Among the First to be Offered With all Three Crash Avoidance Technologies Recommended by the National Highway Safety Administration

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Infiniti today announced that the all-new 2011 Infiniti M performance luxury sedan is among the first production vehicles to be offered with all three crash avoidance technologies recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as part of the agency's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

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Effective for 2011 and later vehicles, NCAP will begin supplementing their safety ratings program by highlighting crash avoidance technologies.  NHTSA has selected three technologies that it deems mature enough for incorporation for this new program – Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – all of which are available on the 2011 Infiniti M.  The same advanced systems are also offered on the just introduced 2011 Infiniti QX luxury SUV.

In order to receive credit in the program, each of the technologies must meet performance criteria when tested according to NHTSA's test procedures.  Information about crash avoidance technologies as part of the Government 5-Star Safety Ratings program can be found at www.safercar.gov.

"The all-new Infiniti M is a showcase for Infiniti's inspired technology, which ranges from our new more powerful and more efficient engines to the wide range of advanced safety features," said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit.  "Along with the three systems called out by NHTSA, the new M also features Blind Spot Warning and the world's first Blind Spot Intervention™ system.  If technology is a measure of luxury, this new M may be the most luxurious car on the road."

The new 2011 Infiniti M is offered in two models, the M56 with a standard 420-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 and the M37 with a 330-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine.

Infiniti NCAP Technologies

The 2011 Infiniti M is available with a number of innovative technologies designed to help the driver avoid potentially dangerous situations.  The M again offers Infiniti's Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems.  The LDW and LDP systems use a small camera installed behind the windshield to detect lane markers in front of the vehicle, calculate its position relative to those lane markers and warn the driver of a potential unintended lane departure with a visual display and audible chime.  In addition to the audible and visual warnings, the LDP system assists the driver with a gentle application of the brakes.

The available Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) system with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) uses the infrared laser sensor unit from the Intelligent Cruise Control's (ICC) system and continuously monitors and analyzes closing speeds to a vehicle ahead.   IBA will warn the driver if it determines a frontal collision is imminent.  If the driver does not respond to the warning and the collision can no longer be avoided, IBA will automatically engage the brakes to help reduce the impact speed and help mitigate the consequences of the accident.

Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Infiniti's version of Electronic Stability Control, compares actual vehicle cornering performance to the driver's input, adjusting power levels and applying appropriate brake pressure to individual wheels to help correct oversteer or understeer, helping keep the vehicle on the steered path.

About Infiniti

Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles, including the G Coupe, Sedan and first-ever Convertible, M sedan, EX and FX crossovers, and the QX full-size SUV.  More information about Infiniti and its Total Ownership Experience® can be found at www.InfinitiUSA.com.

SOURCE Infiniti