Infiniti M35h vs Panamera Hybrid
It seemed pretty clear that Infiniti knew their M35h hybrid had the edge over the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid before they went ahead and set up a drag race to prove their point. And unlike MINI when they took on Porsche, Infiniti did the race by the book.
So it won’t come as a shock to discover that the M35h did beat the Panamera S Hybrid in a quarter mile race – by about a car’s length. Which is exactly what the respective car’s stats told us before Infiniti pulled their stunt.
Despite having 360bhp at it’s disposal, the Infiniti beat the 380bhp Porsche because it’s lighter. And we’re full of admiration for Infiniti that they have the balls to promote a hybrid powertrain as a performance advantage rather than a green halo.
Not that we think any prospective Porsche Panamera Hybrid buyer will now think “Well, that changes everything. I’ll by an Infiniti instead”.
Still, Infiniti keeps the title of producer of the world’s fastest production hybrid. And it’s quicker than a Porsche. And actually, at just a smidge more than the M30d, it’s pretty good value too.
M1TCH says
I thought the Panamera was ugly, but that Infiniti looks like a combination of the worst bits of a Monaro and an Auris…
I think I’d rather have a diesel XJ, but I guess that’s not the point…
Cars UK says
Couldn’t agree more, but it is good to see hybrids finally promoted for the only thing they’re actually any good for – improving performance, albeit at a cost.