Infiniti M35 Hybrid revealed

Infiniti are adding a hybrid version to their range of M Saloons – the Infiniti M35 Hybrid. Due to launch in 2011.

Infiniti –  busy launching their range of cars in Europe this year – has announced that they are to produce their first hybrid – the Infiniti M35 Hybrid.

The M35 Hybrid is based on the Infiniti M which was revealed recently at Pebble Beach. It will feature a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine coupled to an electric motor by a clutch, which means the drive goes through the propshaft to the rear wheels whatever mix of power source is being used.

The M35 Hybrid is a mild hybrid, with the electric motor being used to boost the petrol engine when maximum power is called for, as well as charging the battery and recovering energy that would otherwise be lost under braking and acceleration. For some reason Infiniti has chosen not to divulge performance figures for the M35 Hybrid, and nor have they told is anything about the electric motor.

What Infiniti has told us is that they are utilising a new laminated lithium-ion battery setup which offers twice the power to size ratio as normal. Laminating the batteries apparently improves the batteries cooling, enhancing reliability, power and performance.

Although the Infiniti M Range of cars is due to launch in the UK in Spring 2010, it’s going to be 2011 before the M35 Hybrid launches.

Perhaps that’s why they haven’t given up too much detail yet. Maybe they haven’t actually decided.