It is a little known fact the inventor of the Gatlin gun held a medical degree, but chose never to practice professionally as a doctor. A resident of Murfreesboro, North Carolina, Richard Jordan Gatlin opted instead to focus his attention on inventing weapons capable of inflicting considerable damage to opposing forces in war.

Patented in 1862, the Gatlin gun had six barrels that revolved around a single fixed rod. The weapon was mounted on a small carriage for greater mobility and could achieve an initial fire rate of 150 rounds per minute. A late arrival in the Civil War, it provided an outnumbered army with the upper hand on the battlefield, assuring them of at least a fighting chance of victory.

So how does any of this relate to a new car review? I mention it because the rear taillights of the new 2006 Infiniti M-Series bears a striking resemblance to a miniature version of the Gatlin gun. Although I am not sure Infiniti had this in mind when designing the new M35 and M45 sedans, it wouldn’t surprise me to hear that they did.

You see, the battle to be number one in the luxury car segment is a knock down; drag ‘em out, no holds bar war. To assume anything less is to underestimate the true value of the luxury car buyer to automotive manufacturers. Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz have all recently introduced new vehicles that aggressively attack this market. It should come as no surprise that Infiniti might have chosen to engage in a little psychological warfare as a means to help them secure the top spot.

The exterior of the new 2006 Infiniti M series builds on the aggressiveness of the taillights with a racy design featuring short front and rear overhangs. Similar in shape to the smaller Infiniti G35 sedan, the M-series takes the lean, sexy concept one step further by adding muscle and size.

The Infiniti M Sedan is available in five distinct models and offers two unique engine choices. Three models define the entry-level series of Infiniti’s latest high performance, luxury sedan: the M35, M35 Sport and the M35x AWD.

All M35 sedans are equipped with a 3.5 liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. This engine offers quick acceleration, sensible fuel economy and a solid track record of dependability.

The premium series M45 and M45 Sport increase performance to 335 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque with a 4.5 liter V8 engine. Fast and fun to drive, they both achieve reasonable fuel economy, although real world drivers will find it hard to keep their right foot from pressing firmly on the accelerator at every opportunity.

The M-series sedan is rear-wheel drive, the only exception being the M35x with intelligent all-wheel drive. In the recent past, rear wheel drive has once again found acceptance with consumers, as more automotive companies realize anew the many advantages of having the back wheels deliver power to the road.

Independent double wishbone suspension with coil over springs and shocks is standard in front, while out back an independent multi-link set up is similarly enhanced to provide optimum handling and ride comfort. Vehicle Dynamic Control, (VDC) aids in stability by gently applying the appropriate brakes if the car senses understeer or oversteer conditions. (CONTINUE...)