First came the rumors, then came the teaser photo and now comes the official shot. The car was unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance using a virtual 3D ohh-and-ahhh inspiring exhibition.

The 2011 M executive sports saloon’s launch marks Infiniti’s drive to capture some market share from the German trio’s Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes Benz E-Class. The new M will also see its way into Western Europe where Infiniti has recently setup shop. In all, the car will be sold in 32 markets.

In the United States, the M saloon is set to come with two new gasoline engine configurations: the new M37 with a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 330 horsepower and a range-topping M56 with a 4.5-liter V8 said to deliver over 400 horsepower. European markets will get a M56 with a lighter 265 horsepower Renault-sourced V6 performance diesel.

While more details are to come, expect the car to go on sale starting spring of 2010.

Watch the launch here. And look at the press release below.

INFINITI PRESS RELEASE

2011 Infiniti M Makes Virtual Debut at Concours d’Elegance
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Aug. 14, 2009) – Infiniti today provided an advanced look at the all-new 2011 Infiniti M performance luxury sedan at the 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This is the third generation of Infiniti’s popular M and the first to be sold across all of Infiniti’s 32 markets around the world, including Western Europe.

Like the current Infiniti M, the next-generation design will be offered with V8 and V6 engines. The 2011 M models will be designated the Infiniti M56 and Infiniti M37 respectively, reflecting their more powerful, larger displacement engines. The M56 V8 is expected to offer more than 400 horsepower. For Western Europe, the M56 will be replaced by a V6 performance diesel.

The 2011 Infiniti M also features a completely redesigned body, with authentic sports sedan proportions and evocative new styling with a low front end and deeply sculpted fenders inspired by the Infiniti Essence concept car. The new M interior promises to be pure Infiniti, highlighted by the use of innovative materials, an advanced climate control system, superior audio and an enhanced quality feel. Despite improved performance from the new engine lineup, fuel consumption will be reduced.

In addition, the 2011 M will continue Infiniti’s technology innovation leadership with a blind spot intervention system. This industry-first system is designed to help alert the driver if another vehicle is detected in an adjacent lane during an intended lane change, and then help assist the driver in returning the vehicle toward the center of the original lane of travel.

The 2011 Infiniti M, which is scheduled to go on sale across the world starting from spring 2010, was revealed through a unique “video mapping” process – in which a “virtual M” was created on a 3D form. It is the world’s first “virtual only” (no physical vehicle) automotive application of this cutting-edge technology. The 2011 Infiniti M will make its official public debut later this year.