The 2007 Infiniti M35 may create an image problem. At first glance this is a luxury car and that defines you. Little do they know that you bought your M35 as a present for your right foot.

The 2007 Infiniti M35 is a looker, but that’s beside the point. The M35 cabin is a den of decadence, but never mind. And the M35 is certainly a comfortable cruiser, but don’t waste your time. No, the 2007 M35 is, above all, a mover, and the reason you buy one of these fine automobiles is hidden under the hood.

Powered by a 275-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and perfectly paired with a five-speed gem of an automatic transmission, the M35 is born to be driven. The engine is one of the most responsive power plants in any car and the autobox is preternaturally intuitive. Slip into the ultra-comfortable sport driver’s seat and become one with your M35. Zero- to 60-mph requires just 6.9 seconds in the all-wheel-drive model. That is the spirit of this thoroughbred.

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Then there is the handling: impeccable, athletic, firm and compliant, comfortable, confident and luxurious. The suspension is tuned to a perfect pitch with a double-wishbone front and multilink rear. Yes, you tolerate glamour and even appreciate it, but what really turns you on about the M35 is the way the rubber meets the road. Infiniti got this one right.

For 2007, Infiniti has added a 10-way power adjustable seat for the front passenger. It’s identical to the driver’s chair and a real treat. Other new goodies include a compass and HomeLink remote transmitter, but these things are simply icing on a delicious cake.

The 2007 Infiniti M35 is a midsize luxury sport sedan available in three models: Base, AWD and Sport. The Base model is more than adequate with standard features such as leather upholstery, 10-way adjustable driver’s seat, power windows, dual-zone automatic climate control, real wood trim, heated outside mirrors, and premium audio with an in-dash 6-CD changer. The AWD model adds all-wheel drive and heated/cooled front seats. The Sport model goes with aluminum accent pieces and adds rear-wheel, active steering; sport-tuned suspension; upgraded wheels; adaptive xenon HID headlamps; and front sport seats with extra bolstering.

The M35 option packages are tempting with features such as a navigation system, center-console-mounted DVD entertainment system, rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning system, reclining/heated rear seats and a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system.

Behind the wheel, the M35 is pure driving pleasure. The balance of acceleration and handling is the way sport sedans should be tuned. You carve corners with knife-like precision and power out of them like an uncoiling foil. There’s no squat, no roll, no yaw and no slip-ups. The steering feel is firm with just the right feedback. Yes, you can hear the engine! It’s a beautiful sound and it would be a flaw to ban it from the cabin.

The M35 comes with all the safety equipment you could want. Standard systems include anti-lock brakes with brake assist, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active head restraints for the front seats. The M35 got perfect marks in its front- and side-impact crash tests from the IIHS.

The 2007 M35 carries an MSRP of $41,450. Not an inconsiderable price, but worth every penny when you consider the M35 experience. Test drive one today, but don’t let the luxury distract you. This is a driver’s car.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TESTDRIVE then go to Infiniti of Gwinnett for that REAL thing!