Hisham Al Mouji, general manager, Infiniti Gulf, with another executive, at the launch of new Infiniti M. JEDDAH: As Saudi population grows steadily and the younger population's preference to stay in the major cities, there is a noticeable shift in demand for smaller, compact family cars as against the gas guzzlers of yesteryears. Recent report said by 2030, the population of Saudi Arabia will reach 36.5 million, an increase of 39.2 percent from 2010. Against this backdrop, Alhamrani Company recently launched the new Infiniti M 2011 family category car. The Infiniti M37 and M56 sedans come in rear-wheel drive configuration and in a choice of grade levels. The M37 can be specified in three different grades - ‘Excellence', ‘Luxury' and ‘Sport' - while the M56 is available in two grades - ‘Luxury' and ‘Sport. Even the M37 ‘Excellence' grade comes equipped to a very high standard of specification. The Sport grade M37 and M56 secure a number of exterior and interior cosmetic enhancements as well as new hardware sport brakes, bigger 20-inch wheels and tires, magnesium paddle shifters and Infiniti's 4-Wheel Active Steer (4 WAS) system. These cars “embody all of our best thinking, design and quality to date,” said Hisham Al Mouji, general manager, Infiniti Gulf. “It builds on the strengths of the previous generation, delivering a performance luxury experience crafted to a higher standard.” Infiniti followed a strategy of independence from Nissan by having its own network of showrooms in strategic locations in the Kingdom, starting from Riyadh, which opened in January. It will be followed by the center in Jeddah which will open soon and one in Dammam six months later. The cars have a price tag ranging from SR190,000 to SR240,000, Jalal Asaad, Infiniti national marketing manager, said. The salient features of Infiniti M are the road sensor which indicates the presence of other cars on both sides, and a camera which gives a 360 degrees view when the car is in the reverse gear, he noted. The company aims to sell 300-400 of this car this year, he added. This next-generation M embraces the essence of all things Infiniti – style, performance, luxury, craftsmanship and technology. The M37 features a refined 328hp 3.7-liter V6 engine with increased power and fuel economy (versus the previous generation M35's 3.5-liter V6). The M56 also offers more power and better fuel economy from an all-new 402hp 5.6-liter V8 (versus the previous generation M45's 4.5-liter V8). Engines feature Infiniti's advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) system.
