Although Nissan and Infiniti won’t have an official presence at next week’s LA Auto Show, the luxury marque will unveil its 2011 M sedan at an event the night before the show and plans to webcast the proceedings at 7:00 pm PST on December 1.

Joining the thoroughly redesigned M on stage will be the updated 2010 Infiniti G and the oft-spied the 2011 Infiniti QX. Although official details haven’t been released for either model, a set of promo shots have already leaked out, showing a slightly reworked fascia equipped with a few organic creases, new foglamp surrounds and a tweaked grille. The QX receives a similar, although much more elaborate redesign, with a bulging hood, acres of chrome and a canted D-pillar.

Now two generations back, the E39 5-series was a virtual shoo-in at our annual 10Best competition. Improving on what we thought was near perfection is tricky and, roughly six years ago, we lamented the launch of the then-new fifth-generation E60 5-series. Not only could we not get past the Bangle-ized styling, but the interior design seemed cold and the material quality a step backwards, too. And then there was the much-maligned iDrive. The 5 still drove mostly like a champ, but some of the new chassis technology, such as active steering, seemed to further isolate the driver.

Now BMW has invited us to the unveiling of the new, sixth-generation car at its design studio at the home office in Munich. The company is quick to point out that we’re among the first to ever be allowed access to the ultra-secret facilities, but perhaps BMW figures now that Herr Bangle is no longer around there’s significantly less risk of a journalist’s snarky comment leading to an all-out brawl.