Infiniti M30

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Infiniti M30
Infiniti M30 coupe
Manufacturer Nissan
Production 1990–1992
Assembly Oppama, Japan
Successor Infiniti J30
Class Mid-size luxury car
Body style(s) 2-door convertible
2-door coupe
Layout FR layout
Platform Nissan F31 platform
Engine(s) 3.0 L VG30E V6
Transmission(s) 4-speed RE4R01A automatic
Wheelbase 103.0 in (2616 mm)
Length 188.8 in (4796 mm)
Width 66.5 in (1689 mm)
Height 52.0 in (1321 mm)
Curb weight 1511 kg (3333 lb) (coupe)
1622 kg (3576 lb) (convertible)
Related Nissan Leopard

The Infiniti M30 (chassis code F31) was a 2-door luxury GT coupe introduced with the Q45 as the start of the Infiniti line in 1990, as a stopgap until other models could be produced. The M30 was basically a Japanese Nissan Leopard built with left-hand drive and rebadged as an Infiniti, and had added luxury features. The other main changes were in the engine, transmission and suspension. The M30 was only sold in the United States.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Infiniti M30 convertible
Infiniti M30 convertible

The M30 had no factory options, but dealers offered the addition of a cellular phone and a CD player/changer. The sole engine was the VG30E, a 3.0 L SOHC V6 that produced 162 hp (121 kW) and 180 ft·lbf (244 N·m) of torque, also used by many previous Nissan models such as the Maxima and 300ZX. Like the 300ZX, the M30 was a front-engined and rear-wheel drive vehicle. The transmission was the RE4R01A, a four-speed automatic with electronic overdrive. There was no manual transmission option. The differential was a Nissan R200-type open differential. It is generally regarded among M30 enthusiasts that the change of powertrain, weak suspension and the lack of options in these categories was a serious mistake on Infiniti’s part, and perhaps to blame for the lackluster sales. The M30 (coupe)has a stock weight of 3333 lb (1540 kg), yet only 162 hp (121 kW), creating an inadequate power to weight ratio for the intended image of a sport coupe. Unsurprisingly, the M30 convertible weighed even more, due to massive amounts of body and chassis reinforcements. In addition, sports cars normally come with a manual transmission standard and have the option of an automatic. Instead, Infiniti didn't even give potential buyers the choice, as all M30s had the four-speed automatic.

The M30 was equipped with the Sonar Suspension II system that was also installed on the Maxima at the time, which featured a sonar module mounted under the front bumper that scanned the road surface and adjusted the suspension accordingly via actuators mounted on the strut towers. There was also a switch on the center console that allowed the driver to change between "Sport" and "Comfort" settings—essentially "firm" and "soft", respectively.

The M30 convertible was, and still is, also the sole convertible of the Infiniti line. Infiniti selected about half of the models produced from 1991 to 1992 and had them made into convertibles by the ASC (American Sunroof Corporation). While the power tops on these did not need extensive maintenance for quite a while, they could be operated manually if necessary. All M30 coupes had power tilting/sliding sunroofs standard, with "auto-cut" while sliding to the closed position to prevent anything from getting caught.

The M30’s production run lasted for only 3 years, ending in 1992 due to lagging sales. Nobody knows exactly how many models were produced, but it has been said that just over 12,000 were made, half coupes, half convertibles, making the M30 the rarest Infiniti ever put into production. The M30 was replaced by the Infiniti J30, a mid-size 4-door sedan. While the J30 is a completely different car and has a different chassis code (Y32), it was called the "Leopard J. Ferie" in Japan and was still referred to as the Nissan Leopard.

[edit] Safety

At the time, the M30 rated as one of the top-5 most safe cars to drive of the 90s. The car came with a driver's airbag and ABS (anti-lock brakes) as standard equipment, though it lacked belt pretensioners and roll-over protection (convertible). In the event of an accident, the 3-point self-locking seatbelts located at each outer seat (also standard) would keep passengers from moving around, and the rear-center seat had an adjustable lapbelt.

The M30 received 4/5-stars in both frontal- and side-impact crash test ratings, making it one of the safest cars out there at the time. Nissan paid special attention to the placement of the M30's reinforcement bars, of which are located most notably in the doors and rear quarter-panels. Of course, all of this safety came at a price; the M30 weighs close to two tons, and the massive amounts of reinforcement in the doors are torture on their hinges and cause them to sag slightly over time.

[edit] Today

The M30 has a small cult following, similar to that of the Nissan Leopard F31 built in Japan. The car shares many similarities with more successful and capable Nissan sports cars, such as the 240SX, 300ZX and early-generation Skylines. As such, more powerful engines, manual transmissions, suspensions and limited slip differentials from these cars can be swapped into the M30 to create a much more capable car. In both the U.S. and Japan, the M30/Leopard has been used for drifting, as it can take parts from other Nissans and is rear-wheel drive.

[edit] Trivia

  • The M30 had a small part in the 1999 movie Three Kings, where it was referred to as “The Infiniti Convertible.”
  • In Toy Story, an Infiniti M30 hard top was seen when Sheriff Woody lighted the rocket by the sun shining off of Buzz Lightyear's helmet.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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Infiniti, a marque of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., road car timeline, 1990s–present
Type 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Entry-level G20 G20 G35 G35
Mid-size I30 I30 / I35
J30 M45 M35 / M45
Full-size Q45 Q45 Q45
Coupe M30 G35C G37
Crossover EX35
FX35 / FX45 FX35 / FX50
SUV QX4 QX56
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