2011 Infiniti M56

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Text and photos by Cor Steenstra

We finally got to try out the Infiniti M56, basically the top of the Inifiniti car line up in the US. The exterior design of the M56 depicts the latest iteration of the Infiniti  design language which shows more risky surfacing throughout, and stylization of details throughout. The original Infiniti design language was very much based on the art of leaving out, as shown by consultant designers from Porsche Style. The “brush stroke” advertizing gave us an indication where Infiniti was intending to evolve.As you can see in the surface and detail shots, there is a lot of this spread all over, both in surfacing and detail design. All is very well executed, and the overall quality and fit and finish are very much up to par, but we do wonder if there is not too much “gimmick” integrated in including the language, which in turn distracts a bit from the overall feel of quality and timelessness that the original design language endeared itself with.

A more harmonious execution of the theme, maybe with less “forced” influence on as many areas as possible, would have created a stronger and more convincing overall impression.

The interior design is very much “known” for Infiniti. It would have been nice to have seen a bit more risk-taking on the interior design, more in-line with the exterior than current. Clearly we don’t mean over styling, but if you lure the customer to this car with a little controversial exterior design, you should not disappoint them with being very conservative on the interior. Balance is good, and the art of leaving out within any new and boundary pushing design language is a good thing.

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