Infiniti is very excited about their first ever hybrid model, the M35h, and is eagerly awaiting its market launch this Spring. And they should be, becasue this is not a typical hybrid vehicle which is good at economy but dreadful at anything else. This is a refined luxurious sedan which just happened to be efficient as well.
After all Infiniti is a luxury brand, so when they decided they need a hybrid model in the lineup they made sure it has no compromise between high performance and low emissions. So while it does 162 g/km of CO2emissions, it also does zero to 62mph in 5.5 seconds, which is brilliant even for a sports saloon let alone a hybrid!
The brilliance is due to a magnificent hybrid powertrain consisting of a 300 PS V6 and a 68 PS electric motor. It has a combined output of 364 PS (268 kW) and average fuel consumption of 40.4mpg on the combined cycle.
If you have no clue about MPG, the M35h does 5.7 l/100km on the extra urban cycle. The Infiniti M35h’s innovative one electric motor/two clutch hybrid system is complemented by the Infiniti hallmarks of low drag – the Cd is down to an impressive 0.26 – and lighter weight, the M35h weighing less than its M30d diesel sibling at 1830kg.
Thanks to Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid system, the M35h is capable of cruising on emissions-free electric power alone at speeds up to around 80 km/h. In real-world testing the Infiniti M35h has shown it can drive in electric-only mode for as much as 50% of the time on mixed routes. Even energy normally lost in deceleration or under braking is saved to help keep the batteries charged up.
This vehicle is also equipped with Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system which emits a pleasing, non-intrusive sound that varies in pitch and volume at vehicle speeds up to 30 km/h. That’s becasue the car is virtually noise-free in the electric mode.
In terms equipments and features, there’s not difference between the hybrid and other Infiniti M models. Pricing for the M35h will be announced at 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
