2011 Infiniti Cars M35h Sports Sedan The "Driver's" Hybrid
The �driver�s hybrid� from Infiniti, the M35h sports sedan , will introduce world-first steering and braking technologies when it goes on sale in the USA and Europe in 2011 . The company calls the M35h a "driver's hybrid," with innovations in both steering and braking technologies designed to blend fuel efficiency with driving feel. As the first in-house hybrid from Nissan/Infiniti, the M35h is pretty unassuming. Indeed, although the test cars we drove in Japan were covered with decals advertising their gasoline-electricness, small �hybrid� badges on the production models� front fenders will be the biggest powertrain giveaway once the cars arrive stateside next spring. The Infiniti�s single electric motor is located between the engine and automatic transmission, in place of a conventional torque converter. The 67-hp motor is connected to the crankshaft via a wet-plate clutch. This allows the M to use its 1.3-kWh, 340-volt lithium-ion battery pack for electric-only pr...