-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
New Models
GREEN: Infiniti M Hybrid - 350 hp, 32 mpg
EPA rating shows high performance combined with economical highway mileage for gas/electric luxury sedan.
The 2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid debuted at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. (Photo: John Voelcker)
Think "hybrid" and what comes to mind? Small or midsize, sometimes odd-driving Toyotas?
There's now actually a raft of low-volume hybrid luxury and sports sedans from such makers as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus and now, Infiniti. The 2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid debuted officially unveiled at last fall's 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show after a drawn-out introduction.
Now the EPA has rated its gas mileage, and Infiniti is proud of the fact that it is the sole vehicle in its class to offer both more than 350 horsepower and a highway rating of more than 30 miles per gallon.
Note, however, that the power figure is the maximum combined horsepower of the engine and the electric motor operating together. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine itself puts out a rather more predictable 302 horsepower.
The complete EPA ratings, in fact, are 27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway for a combined rating of 29 mpg, higher than the ratings Infiniti had predicted last autumn.
Infiniti's new hybrid system includes an air-cooled 1.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that powers a 50-kilowatt (67-horsepower) electric motor mounted between the V6 engine and the company's new seven-speed automatic transmission.
The peak torque from the electric motor is 199 pound-feet, or fully 80 percent of the gasoline engine's 258. The gasoline engine can be fully decoupled when the car is being powered electrically or in regenerative mode.
Infiniti says the M35h offers electric-only running for more than a mile at speeds up to 62 mph. In mixed use, the M35h operates purely on electric power as much as 50 percent of the time, according to the company's test data.
Of course, the 2012 M Hybrid isn't the sole vehicle to offer both a 300-plus-horsepower engine and 30 mpg on the highway. The non-hybrid 2011 Ford Mustang with the 3.7-liter V-6 engine puts out 305 hp and is rated at 31 mpg highway.
But it's missing two doors, an electric motor and the potential suburban cachet of those little "hybrid" badges. We suspect they're hardly likely to be cross-shopped.
Still, Ford's powerful pony car is a good case study of why it's important to read the qualifying wording carefully in such mileage claims.
There's now actually a raft of low-volume hybrid luxury and sports sedans from such makers as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus and now, Infiniti. The 2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid debuted officially unveiled at last fall's 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show after a drawn-out introduction.
Now the EPA has rated its gas mileage, and Infiniti is proud of the fact that it is the sole vehicle in its class to offer both more than 350 horsepower and a highway rating of more than 30 miles per gallon.
Note, however, that the power figure is the maximum combined horsepower of the engine and the electric motor operating together. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine itself puts out a rather more predictable 302 horsepower.
The complete EPA ratings, in fact, are 27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway for a combined rating of 29 mpg, higher than the ratings Infiniti had predicted last autumn.
Infiniti's new hybrid system includes an air-cooled 1.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that powers a 50-kilowatt (67-horsepower) electric motor mounted between the V6 engine and the company's new seven-speed automatic transmission.
The peak torque from the electric motor is 199 pound-feet, or fully 80 percent of the gasoline engine's 258. The gasoline engine can be fully decoupled when the car is being powered electrically or in regenerative mode.
Infiniti says the M35h offers electric-only running for more than a mile at speeds up to 62 mph. In mixed use, the M35h operates purely on electric power as much as 50 percent of the time, according to the company's test data.
Of course, the 2012 M Hybrid isn't the sole vehicle to offer both a 300-plus-horsepower engine and 30 mpg on the highway. The non-hybrid 2011 Ford Mustang with the 3.7-liter V-6 engine puts out 305 hp and is rated at 31 mpg highway.
But it's missing two doors, an electric motor and the potential suburban cachet of those little "hybrid" badges. We suspect they're hardly likely to be cross-shopped.
Still, Ford's powerful pony car is a good case study of why it's important to read the qualifying wording carefully in such mileage claims.
2014 Cadillac CTS
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTOMOTIVE
-
GREEN: Porsche Adding All-Model Hybrids
Gas/electric plug-versions of its entire lineup – including… -
AUTOS: Porsche Boosts 918 Spyder Power
The upcoming supercar will produce 887 horsepower from its gas/electric… -
AUTOS: Acura NSX Details Revealed
The rebirth of the mid-engine sports car – now an all-wheel-drive… -
DRIVEN: Jaguar’s Many-Splendored XJ
The British luxury sedan comes in 10 different flavors, with plenty… -
AUTOS: Lamborghini Egoista Launched
The wild single-seat concept car is unveiled at the end of the epic… -
AUTOS: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Hot Pontiac G8
NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick helped his driver modify the 2009… -
VINTAGE: A Fast Historic Tour Of France
Vintage race and touring cars compete in the 22nd annual Tour de… - More News
