Infiniti’s flagship sedan, the M class, gets a new hybrid version for 2012. Hybrids are fine, finer than fine, actually, with rising fuel prices. But hybrids by nature can seem rather pedestrian when compared to V8 engines.

So let’s get into the fact that Infiniti’s M has one of those, too, and I got behind the wheel of it.

A 420-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 is under the hood of the M56 and, on its own, it’s a delight. Coupled with a 7-speed automatic transmission, the M56 is in the ballgame when talk turns to luxury sedans that can double as sports cars. The acceleration and the handling are that good, partly thanks to Infiniti’s drive selector that lets the pilot opt for a Sport mode.

How impressive did the pickup and nimbleness seem? Consider that the M56 I drove was not the rear-wheel drive smooth ride, but rather the all-wheel drive entry. Even with snow more than a half year away, I could see the benefit of that feature.

While M’s start at $47,700 — that comes with the base 330-horsepower V6 engine and with two-wheel drive — the high end M56X with its V8 and AWD retails for $61,600. That comes with voice-recognition audio and navigation system and real-time traffic and weather information (the latter two items working flawlessly with the alerts), heated steering wheel, cooled front seats, upgraded sound system with music hard drive. All M’s come with leather upholstery, sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, rearview camera, satellite radio and Bluetooth, among others.

There is certainly not much to quibble about with the M56X. The driver is in control and has an easy time doing it, what with the voice features and a navigation/audio interface that is among the simplest to use.

Occasionally, the downside to having only a week to test a car is that it can be difficult to find that sweet seat spot in a short amount of time. The plush front leather with 10-way power practically molded to my body, though, and whether the trip was long or short, I arrived refreshed.

With a V8 engine and all-wheel drive, the Infiniti M56X is going to get you there quickly, safely and in style, too.

David Mikesell is a free-lance automotive reviewer based in Indianapolis. Read this review and others like it at DaytonDailyNews.com/Wheels.