Infiniti M-series keeps racking up the points

Infiniti M35x is outstanding

Handling, power and value are all top-flight

BANFF, Alta. -- The new paramour is a horrible auto snob. It's all BMW this, BMW that. BMWs are the greatest, the exhaust spewing from a BMW's rear end doesn't stink.

To listen to her blinkered logic is to understand how BMW can still sell so many 7 Series despite a hind end only a cow farmer could love.

So, when I presumed to compare Infiniti's new M cars to BMW's 5 Series, she went into spasms of denial. "Not possible!" said she, though that's the G-rated version of her exact quote.

"Infiniti doesn't have the moxie. And even if it does, it doesn't have the look. And even if it looks good, people don't know what Infiniti actually stands for."

OK, so the last one has a ring of truth to it because up until the last few years, which has seen it concentrate on sporty luxury, the brand was long a marque without a rudder.

As for the other two, she is completely erroneous (and, of course, I mean that in the kindest possible way). For one thing, the first impression of the M, in either its 3.5-litre V6 or its 4.5-litre V8 guise, is that Infiniti has captured the essence of BMWness more succinctly than the latest batch of products from Munich save the new 3 Series.

As for performance, the M, especially the all-wheel-drive M35x, has everything required -- power, handling, braking -- to keep up or surpass its direct competitors.

Surprisingly, it is the less powerful M35 -- especially in AWD form -- that impresses most.

In fact, I'll spoil the ending of this article by stating the M35x is the best-handling, all-wheel-drive compact or mid-size sedan I've tested (specialty items such as the Audi RS4 notwithstanding). Perhaps, it's because the M35x is essentially a rear-driver in most conditions, sending 100 per cent of the engine's torque to the rear wheels -- until slip is detected.

Full review here