FRANKLIN, Tennessee — Infiniti, which has been woefully absent from the luxury hybrid market, is about to take the plunge. The upscale Nissan brand announced on Wednesday that it will roll out its first hybrid, the 2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid in spring 2011.
It is expected that the M35 Hybrid will compete with the 340-horsepower Lexus GS 450h, which starts at $57,425, including an $875 destination charge. The 2010 Lexus GS 450h returns an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway, said Lexus.
Infiniti skimped on specifications for the M35 Hybrid, saying only that it will be rear-wheel drive and come with a 3.5-liter V6 and electric motor. It noted that "details of driving range, performance and transmission will be released later." It said the M35 Hybrid will introduce several new technologies, including a "laminated lithium-ion battery pack that is the same size as conventional batteries but offers twice the power." It said the battery pack offers "exceptional reliability."
The Japanese automaker said the M35 Hybrid is based on the new M and takes its styling cues from the Infiniti Essence, which debuted at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.
Inside Line says: The Infiniti M35 Hybrid is tardy for the party, but promises to be an intriguing latecomer. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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remaine88 says:
04:16 AM, 10/26/2010
Thanks for placing such good quality Infiniti photos. I think I have to wait for too many days to for bringing such super hybrid fabulous model. The M35 Infiniti is looking cool and stylist family car. it looks better the way it is. When hybrid cars get designed "aerodynamically" they end up looking very ugly with a tall square back, the typical hybrid look. Don't want to name and any names but it looks atrocious. This car looks normal which I like.
http://www.greenautozone.net/2012-infiniti-m-hybrid-review.html