Performance Review: Infiniti M45 4.5 V8 Sport - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Infiniti M45 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Infiniti M45 4.5 V8 Sport is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Infiniti M45 has a 4494cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The M45 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the M45's Rear Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1836 kgs (4047 lbs) this makes the Infiniti M45 4.5 V8 Sport in the same weight category as the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 or the give or take 50kg.

The Infiniti M45 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4494cc 32V V8 engine produces 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 340 lb-ft (460.9 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (317 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Infiniti M45 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 BMW 1 Series M140i xDrive F20 (207.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Infiniti M45.

The Infiniti M45 has a Power to weight ratio of 182.4 bhp per ton and 185.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 M45 competing with the 2016 BMW 1 Series M140i xDrive F20 (207.4 bhp per ton) or the 1951 Jaguar C Type 3.4L (207.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Infiniti M45 generating around 185.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (210.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Tesla Model S 85 kWh (210.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.5 secs, this made the Infiniti M45 4.5 V8 Sport as fast as the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs) the or the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs). This Infiniti M45 4.5 V8 Sport is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the and the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the M45 and the 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2d E90

When talking about the performance of the Infiniti M45 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.54 secs @ 94.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2d E90 (14.47 secs), the 1993 BMW 3 Series M3 E36 (14.47 secs), and the 2006 Mini Cooper S Works GP (14.48 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Infiniti M45 4.5 V8 Sport has a maximum speed of 150mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 M45 equals the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Infiniti M45 4.5 V8 Sport then how about the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (161 mph), the 2013 Porsche Panamera 3.6 V6 (161 mph), or the 2011 Radical SR3 SL 2.0 Turbo (161 mph).

Related Links:

2006 M45 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Infiniti

Car Comparison