2012MY Infiniti M35 Hybrid

[da mayor]

Infiniti today confirmed that its first production hybrid vehicle will be part of the recently announced line of 2011 Infiniti M luxury performance sedans, which are scheduled to go on sale in spring 2010 at Infiniti dealers nationwide. The Infiniti M35 hybrid is expected to arrive about 12 months later as a 2012 model. It is Infiniti’s first hybrid in its 20-year existence, as well as the cleanest and most economical car in Infiniti’s history.
Realizing the high performance/low emissions promise of the recent Infiniti Essence concept car, the M35 Hybrid has been designed and engineered to add to, not take away from, the driving experience, a key part of any Infiniti’s appeal. The M35 Hybrid is based on the all-new M, which itself picks up styling cues from Essence, the show-stopper that made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show early in 2009.
The M35 Hybrid maintains a high performance luxury sedan profile, overlaying it with the fuel economy and CO2 emissions of a smaller car, while delivering driving flair to please any enthusiast – complete with charismatic V6 and rear-wheel drive handling.
Infiniti’s hybrid system, developed solely within Infiniti’s parent group, is a single electric motor/twin clutch arrangement. Innovatively, the first clutch is installed between the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and the electric motor. The result of this configuration, where all components act on a single prop shaft to the rear differential, is a consistent driving feel under all conditions with linear performance and the “direct responses” that the engineers sought.
The electric motor acts as both propulsion unit, boosting the V6 in “power assist” mode when maximum acceleration is required, and also as a generator. Along with charging the battery in the normal way, the motor recovers energy otherwise lost during deceleration and braking.
The M Hybrid can also run solely on its electric motor in certain driving conditions, furthering fuel efficiency and optimizing energy usage across the widest possible range of driving conditions. Details of driving range, performance and transmission will be released later.
As expected of Infiniti, several new technologies are introduced in the new M35 Hybrid, including a “laminated” lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack that is the same size as conventional batteries but offers twice the power. Lamination enhances the pack’s cooling performance, while temperature stability is further improved by the use of manganese positive electrodes. An end result of this is exceptional battery reliability.
The M35 Hybrid joins conventional engine-equipped 2011 M versions – including a new high-performance diesel V6 for Western Europe – as the first Ms to be sold across all of Infiniti’s world markets, currently 33 countries. All of the new-generation Infiniti M models are on target to beat their predecessors on fuel consumption and emissions – despite across-the-board performance improvements – thanks to a range of efficiency-enhancing measures.

[InfiNissan Lover]

Ooo! Very nice! It looks so nice in white. The new Nissan/Infiniti cars with the hood bulges really look nice in white. The upcoming new 2011 M resembles the new Maxima a little too much though. It looks like a more muscular Maxima. The only things keeping me interested in the new M is its powertrain and new luxury features.

The hybrid looks awesome though. I just hope they don't end up axing it like they axed the plans for a clean diesel Maxima - which I think is still a good idea.

[mp cima]

rear looks like a camry/new jag xk8 had a baby

[Bocatrip]

Gorgeous

[InfiNissan Lover]

I am almost 80% certain that Nissan/Infiniti will give the M35 Hybrid a CVT. Many auto manufacturers are convinced that a CVT is the most efficient transmission for a hybrid setup. In a FWD setup, the CVT is very much restricted, but in a transverse setup with AWD ala Lexus LS 600hL it can be pretty impressive.

I really hope that Nissan/Infiniti can manage to get some really good mpg figures from their upcoming new direct injection engines because I was disappointed with GM's new 2010 Buick LaCrosse in that department. I hope that the new engines bring back the super silky smoothness of Nissan's V6 that many reviewers have come to know them for.

Kudos to Nissan/Infiniti for finally bringing out a 7-speed auto. Their cars really needed the extra cogs being how powerful the newer V6/V8 engines are getting.

[da mayor]

i doubt the CVT will go into the M... they kept the CVT's into the Nissan FWD platforms only.

They want to keep the heritage of Infiniti as a true performance car.

the 7at in the new FX and G-line up help a lot with the gearing, especially off the line.

[Bocatrip]

Let cross our fingers that there is no CVT on any Infiniti. The automatic transmissions on our cars are one of the strongest points. I dought very highly that we will see a CVT which in itself removes the sportiness in driving, we so much enjoy.

[InfiNissan Lover]

Originally Posted by Bocatrip

Let cross our fingers that there is no CVT on any Infiniti. The automatic transmissions on our cars are one of the strongest points. I dought very highly that we will see a CVT which in itself removes the sportiness in driving, we so much enjoy.

Honestly? I think having a CVT in it won't really be a bad thing. Based on what is obvious with the Lexus Hybrids, the M Hybrid will most likely be the priciest model in the M lineup and it will be for those who are looking for more efficiency in a high end luxury car.

I too wouldn't want to see a CVT in the hybrid M. I would like to see either Nissan's new 7-speed auto in it or a DSG transmission. However, I just cannot neglect the fact that the new Maxima has a 290HP engine and it gives off some very impressive mpg based on its power and weight. There are not many competitors in the Maxima's class that can give just as good or better fuel economy figures for the horsepower offered than the Maxima. Given that, I ask myself, "Nissan convinced itself that a CVT IS more efficient than a stepped auto so, why would they want to put anything else other than a CVT in a hybrid setup?"

All Nissan has to do is finally develop something I'd like to call, "Regenerative gearing," in which the heat energy of the CVT can be harnessed so that it can power or be used for something else.

Since 2002, Nissan has been playing around with a more sport-oriented CVT. The result? Well, read it for yourself at http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi...yline_gt8.html and be amazed to hear about Nissan's first ever 8-speed CVT. It was mated to an AWD G35 (Skyline in Japan) for testing. The car was called a Skyline 350 GT-8. The article is already old but it just goes to show you that if Nissan had a pretty darn good (as per the reviewer who wrote the article) 8-speed CVT seven years ago then, imagine what they will have once the new hybrid M is ready to make its debut.

I vote for no CVT also, but Nissan/Infiniti already know that a CVT benefits and compliments a hybrid setup. And if you look around, just about every single hybrid vehicle available has one, from a Ford Fusion to a Lexus LS.

There is just too much evidence in the hybrid vehicles already available to not think this way. Nissan/Infiniti will not want to be put out of the efficient hybrid race with other competitors. You best better believe that they are going to make sure that the hybrid M is as efficient as it can be, if that means offering it with a CVT Nissan/Infiniti will say, "so be it" and mate a direct injection VVEL V6 to it.

I predict that the new direct injection V6 engine of the upcoming new Infiniti M will produce about 340-360HP non-hybrid and about 380-395HP with the hybrid setup.

[Bocatrip]

I hope that the Hybrid Infiniti introduces is consistent with the overall Infiniti/Nissan reliabitity reputation. I remember reading that the initial hybrid tests using the G35 as a mule had major issues. Infiniti claimed that the car was not ready for review at that time. Again, I would always be reluctant to buy the first year intro of any new technology. We all know the V6 is a winner and the G35 has been bulletproof even after it's 06 intro. Hopefully, the Hybrid doesn't upset the cart.

[jane12]

http://www.nissannews.com/newsroom.do?id=4&mid=4