2012 Infiniti M Hybrid Test Drive

Rybold · Aug 10, 2010

Popular Mechanics - Infiniti did away with the second motor altogether, opting instead to position a single electric motor between the 3.5-liter V6 and seven-speed automatic transmission via a two-clutch system (similar to the system in the Volkswagen Touareg). One clutch separates the engine from the electric motor and the second makes up the gap between the motor and the transmission. This makes for a considerably smoother transition between all-electric, gasolineâ€“electric and all-gasoline power. And it means that recharging the battery doesn't yield a twitchy brake pedal. The electric motor adds 67 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a theoretical grand total of 369 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque when combined with the 3.5-liter six.

Infiniti uses a proprietary 1.3-kilowatt-hour lithium battery pack

If you keep the M Hybrid below 62 mph, it can even whisk you along on all-electric power

...a plush interior with topnotch ergonomics, a uniquely swept body shape, and a leading array of state-of-the-art technology. In 2012, that goodness makes its way untainted into the new M Hybrid, along with the requisite electric motor sandwiched between engine and transmission. And while introducing a hybrid luxury car may not seem like such a novel idea these days, the M actually won't have much competitionâ€”you'll pay almost twice the price to get an electric motor or two in your BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

Heck, it even looks good, and stakes its claim as far from budget entries like the Lexus HS250h as it does from six-figure German giants. Odds are the M Hybrid will draw in buyers looking for V8 power with V6 efficiency. Expect to pay a few thousand dollars more when the M Hybrid goes on sale next spring, with a retail price likely to start at $50,000.
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2012 Infiniti M Hybrid Specs - Review of Infiniti M Hybrid - Popular Mechanics

bisco · Aug 10, 2010

yeah, i hate my twitchy brake pedal.

Tideland Prius · Aug 10, 2010

Looking forward to test driving it! See how this compares to the GS450h.

Rybold · Aug 23, 2010

Infinity designed their hybrid system to fit in all of their vehicles. An attempt to take on Lexus? (in marketing, anyhow)

Ben Poore, vice president of Infiniti, says the M hybrid will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. And Infiniti is studying what other models could use the hybrid power train.

Larry Dominque, Nissan North America's vice president of product planning for the Americas, says the M's hybrid system was designed to fit all of Infiniti's rear-wheel-drive models, including the G sedan and coupe and the EX and FX crossovers.
The hybrid M will reach showrooms next spring.
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Infiniti ponders more hybrids | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews

Tideland Prius · Aug 24, 2010

That's good. That means they can respond to the market faster by being able to adapt their system to any of their vehicles.

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid Test Drive

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2012 Infiniti M Hybrid Test Drive

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