The 2009 Infiniti M is available with Infiniti’s advanced Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system. The LDP system made its worldwide production debut last year on the 2008 M. LDP utilizes the M’s Vehicle Dynamic Control system to apply slight brake pressure to the wheels opposite the side of the lane departure direction to help prevent the vehicle from inadvertently traveling out of its intended lane.

The LDP system uses a small camera installed behind the windshield to detect lane markers in front of the vehicle, calculate its position relative to those lane markers and warn the driver of lane drift (pending lane change without use of the turn signal) with a visual display and audible buzzer. If the driver does not return the vehicle in the direction of the center of the travel lane, the LDP system assists the driver by using gentle control (generating part of the necessary yaw movement), using the VDC’s brake actuator to control the brake pressure of each individual wheel to generate the intended movement.

“More than 55 percent of fatal auto accidents in the United States are caused by lane departures, including single vehicle and head-on accidents. With the LDP system, Infiniti continues to advance vehicle safety technology,” said Igo. “With LDP, the driver never gives up control – it’s a safety feature, not an override.”

Other safety features include standard Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors; standard front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags; and standard roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection. The 2009 M also offers standard 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver’s seat ELR only), front seat belt adjustable shoulder height anchors with pretensioners and load limiters, front seat Active Head Restraints with 4-way manual adjustments and standard brake-operated front pre-crash seat belts, which tighten under emergency braking in anticipation of an evasive maneuver or crash.

Every 2008 M also includes Zone Body construction with energy-dispersing side structure, LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) and Zone Body platform design with front and rear crumple zones.