The Infinti M35h: A luxury hybrid with horses to boot
- Written by David Miller
- Published in CAR REVIEWS
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When you think Infiniti, you think luxury, so there could really be no better setting for the unveiling of the 2012 Infiniti M35h – Nissan’s first in-house hybrid – than the Sparkling Hill Resort overlooking Lake Okanagan in Vernon, BC. Infiniti didn’t want to make a luxurious hybrid simply so that they’d have one as an option in their fleet: they set out to create a hybrid that is not only fuel efficient but that can also perform at a V8 level. “As hybrid technology has gotten more sophisticated, so have hybrid drivers,” said Wendy Durward, director of Infinti Canada. “Where it was once enough to offer fuel efficiency alone, today’s hybrid buyers need performance and handling to go along with the ‘green’ attributes – and that’s where the new Infiniti Hybrid delivers like no other.”
The M35h’s distinctly un-hybrid-like performance is made possible by Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid system, which consists of a one-motor, two-clutch parallel system that operates under a 3.5-litre V6 engine running on the Atkinson cycle via rear-wheel drive. The V6 gas engine produces 302hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, but the 50kw electric motor adds an additional 67hp and 199 lb-ft of torque, generating – when linked – a combined 360hp. Perhaps the key technology breakthrough is that the motor is used instead of the usual torque converter, which is what allows for the robust performance.
Hearing these figures and stats got me primed for the ride ahead along Vernon’s winding roads. Before lift-off, I walked around this sleeping giant, sizing it up with admiration. You only get one opportunity to make a first impression, and the M35h takes full advantage: this is one slick, sporty-looking vehicle, from the sharp-looking headlamps to the signature Infiniti grille to the left-and-right exhausts at the rear of the car.
But enough talk. I was ready to go, and eagerly climbed in to fire the engine. It started a bit slow, but when I dropped my foot it answered with smooth acceleration. I was told that the M35h can reach distances upwards of 1.9 kilometres in EV mode at 100 km/h, but it was hard to tell when the vehicle switched from electric power to gas. I monitored the energy-flow screen to see what mode I was in, but it seemed to fluctuate a lot. In any case, it didn’t matter: the transitions were seamless, and the drive was as impressive as the majestic scenery.
What made the experience so enjoyable was the M35h’s compact, 1.4kw/h lithium-ion battery, which is also featured in the Nissan LEAF. This light battery optimizes weight distribution and allows power to be dispersed directly through its seven-speed automatic transmission. Although it’s hidden in the cabin area of the trunk, there’s no need to worry about a lack of trunk space since the battery does not intrude at all.
The route I took was perfect to test the car’s limits and versatility. I hit some winding roads, unleashed it on the open highway, and fell in with some always-exciting, after-work bumper-to-bumper traffic. The winding roads gave full scope to its handling and smooth-cruise capabilities, even though the weight of the vehicle was often apparent. On the highway, it was to infinity and beyond, because this car can really fly. And not only can it fly, but it does so while rivalling its Lexus GS 450h and BMW X6 Active Hybrid competitors in rated fuel economy with its 6.1 L/100 km on the highway and 7.5 L/100 km in the city. However, when it came to bumper-to-bumper braking, I felt it to be unnatural:as with many hybrids that have regenerative braking, the vehicle decelerates and power is redistributed to the battery.
The M35h comes fully loaded with all the same features as its gas-loving cousin, the M37, including a navigation system with voice recognition, climate-controlled front leather seats, and a Bose surround-sound system. Also available is the Forest air system, which features a unique “breeze mode” that simulates a natural breeze. The air system also has a humidity-controlled Plasmacluster air purifier that can remove cabin odours and reduce allergens.
If you subscribe to Murphy’s Law, the M35h will put you at ease. In addition to having six airbags, intelligent brake assist, and electronic stability control, it also comes equipped with a lane-departure-warning/prevention system that can issue blind-spot alerts and even intervene through radar to bring you back into your lane if you drift off course. In many ways these are great safety features, but while I was weaving around Vernon, the beeping noise that sounds as you move into an adjacent lane quickly wore out its welcome.
Still, a few small faults notwithstanding, Infiniti hasunquestionably succeeded in adding an exciting performance hybrid to their fleet. The new M35h is now available and priced at $67,300 – $6,000 more than the M37, but still more affordable than its hybrid competition at Lexus. If you’re an environmentally friendly consumer looking to own a luxurious car without sacrificing performance, the Infiniti M35h is the perfect choice.