Hybrid vehicles aren’t generally looked at as fast machines capable of break-neck speeds. In truth, hybrids aren’t even marketed as such. Their true calling card is the promise of better fuel economy and improved CO2 emission ratings.
Unless of course you can find a way to marry all three elements the way Infiniti managed to do with the new M35h. Nissan’s luxury division has released a video of their new M35h sedan taking on the equally irrepressible 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.
Not one to back down from a German challenge for full-on hybrid supremacy, the M35h and the Panamera S Hybrid engaged in a quarter-mile drag race - with surprising results.
Not only did the 360-horsepower M35h complete its time in just 13.4 seconds - impressive for a hybrid! - but it also managed to spank the Panamera S Hybrid by a good second. On top of that, the time is also a marked improvement from their previous record time of 13.9031 seconds, eclipsing the Guinness World Record by a tidy half-a-second.
Check out the video and watch the Infiniti M35h show up the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.
Infinitis and world records aren’t usually associated with one another, but all that has changed with one swooping quarter-mile run from the Infiniti M35h.
Recently, the Japanese luxury sedan took a blistering lap time at the Santa Pod drag strip, setting a world record time of 13.9031 seconds in a quarter-mile with a passing speed in excess of 100 mph. The 373-horsepower luxury sedan was driven by CAR Magazine journalist, Tim Pollard, etching his name in Guinness lore as the driver of the world’s fastest accelerating full hybrid vehicle.
The M35h may not belong in the conversation of being one of the fastest machines on the planet, but as far as full hybrids are concerned, it can now stake a serious claim as being on top of that list. The M35h is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 305 horsepower with an electric motor that adds 68 horsepower, hitting a total output of 373 horsepower with an 0-62 mph acceleration time of 5.5 seconds.
“The Infiniti M35h proves that hybrids can be fast as well as frugal,” said Pollard.
“At Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from the standstill – the car just leapt of the line."
Congratulations to Infiniti for their record-breaking attempt. Here’s to more records being broken by the Japanese automaker in the future.
Hit the jump to watch the record lap video courtesy of Car Magazine.
Infiniti is one of those brands that tuning firms just skim past while deciding on their next project, so finding a decent package for Nissan’s luxury division is not something we come across on a daily - or even monthly - basis. And today isn’t going to be any different as this custom M30d comes to us from a dealer in Hamburg, Germany, and not a tuning professional.
"Infiniti Zentrum Hamburg" is offering two different stages for their M30d S. The package for Stage 1 includes painted door handles, red brake calipers with Infiniti lettering, a black radiator grille, and a black, foil covered roof. The dealer has also added an H+R suspension which lowers the vehicle by 25mm, as well as performance optimization for the V6 diesel engine. This engine now delivers a total of 280hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, up from the standard 235 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Total price for the Stage 1 package is 5775 euros ($7,947 at the current rates).
For Stage 2, the dealer takes the modifications from the first package and adds a new set of 22" wheels with 265/30R22 Pirelli tires in the front and 295/25R22 in the rear. The wheels add an additional 6800 euros ($9,358 at the current rates).
The dealer also announced that the same packages can be applied to any other Infiniti model in the line-up upon request.
We don’t talk about Infiniti all too often here on TopSpeed, but lately they have been part of our news due to their new Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) and the fact that they will be debuting two new M-based models at the Pebble Beach Concours. Now we get to talk about them for a different reason. Infiniti is now ready to introduce the technological advancements in the M35h that they have been discussing for quite some time: world-first steering and braking technologies. These technologies will be ready to roll when the car goes on sale in the USA and Europe in 2011.
The Infiniti M35H will be powered by a hybrid drive system that combines a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 68 HP electric motor mated to a 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) automatic transmission. The motor directly operates the brakes using a system called the Electric Driven Intelligent Brake. This system works by allowing the motor to charge the battery when the driver applies the brake. The steering is also unique in the M35h because it is part hydraulic and part electric. The electric portion kicks in when the wheel is turned which boosts efficiency. Both of these technologies may be found in all future Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid vehicles due to their simplicity and effectiveness.
Update 02/07/2011: Infiniti has announced today the official official EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) fuel economy figures for the M35h. The V6 hybrid sedan has a fuel economy is 27 mpg City, 32 mpg Highway, with Combined fuel economy rated at 29 mpg.
UPDATE 01/24/2012: Nissan’s luxury division has released a video of their new M35h sedan taking on the equally irrepressible 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.
Not one to back down from a German challenge for full-on hybrid supremacy, the M35h and the Panamera S Hybrid engaged in a quarter-mile drag race - with surprising results.
Not only did the 360-horsepower M35h complete its time in just 13.4 seconds - impressive for a hybrid! - but it also managed to spank the Panamera S Hybrid by a good second. On top of that, the time is also a marked improvement from their previous record time of 13.9031 seconds, eclipsing the Guinness World Record by a tidy half-a-second. Check out the video to watch the Infiniti M35h show up the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.
Rolling into the 2011 Toyko Motor Show is an Infiniti luxury sedan that will surely create quite a stir. This is no ordinary Infiniti M. This vehicle has been done over by Japanese tuner, Impul, to create the new Impul 651S, a vehicle that boasts of an impressive aerodynamic package and some engine updates for the 37 and M25 versions.
Some of the changes are not overly obvious, but the result transforms this vehicle from an ordinary people pusher to a mean and low transporter. After all, that is usually the goal for these types of vehicles; transforming the ordinary to the aggressive and stylish.
The exterior package includes a new front bumper, front grille, side skirts, rear bumper, rear wing, and sports ducts to get that low, rough look. The car now sits on AURA SX-20 wheels and a new set of coil over springs. Bringing the gruff sound out of the engine is the new stainless steel exhaust system.
The EXTRA POWER KIT does exactly what it says it does; give the car some extra bang and responsiveness. The device consists of an IMPUL Hi Power Control Unit and big throttle valves. Needless to say, using premium gasoline for the EXTRA POWER KIT can bring out more power. Don’t worry if your Infiniti has already been equipped with an IMPUL Hi Power Control Unit, you can still boost the performance by adding the throttle valves.
