Japan: Infiniti M Hybrid Coming Next Year

TOKYO — Nissan has been noticeably late into hybrids, but in 2010, the company will be making up for lost time with an interesting rear-wheel-drive hybrid version of the next Infiniti M sport sedan.

Nissan's new hybrid, which will also underpin the next Japanese-market Fuga sedan and take specific aim at the Lexus GS 450h, will match a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 to a Nissan-designed parallel hybrid system with electric motor and, reportedly, a high-efficiency lithium-ion battery pack.

At the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, Infiniti's spectacular Essence concept, a swoopy Ferrari-like sport coupe, gave a strong hint of Nissan's hybrid layout to come. The Essence pushed the envelope with a 600-horsepower twin turbo V6 driving the rear wheels via a seven-speed paddle shift automatic. The basic hybrid format is expected to be the same for next year's new M sport sedan.

Indeed, last summer, Nissan gave an even stronger clue of what's to come via a prototype Skyline hybrid sedan (Infiniti G35) at its Advanced Technology Seminar near Yokohama. This test mule used a hybrid system with twin clutches to variously connect engine, motor and driven rear wheels to give V8-class performance coupled with 1.5-to-1.8-liter economy and emissions, according to the lead engineer in charge of the project.

Nissan's hybrid system is best suited to a rear-wheel-drive application, the company said, and in a large car will have a more visible effect in lowering C0₂ and boosting economy.

Nissan is also believed to have plans laid down to make hybrid versions of all Infinitis within 10 years.

Inside Line says: More choice coming in the hybrid marketplace. — Peter Nunn, Correspondent