2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid

What is it?

Set to launch nationwide in the Spring of 2011, the new 2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid was recently unveiled to a receptive crowd at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The purpose of the M35h, as explained by Infiniti USA's VP Ben Poore: "Simply put, the Infiniti M Hybrid will be the most advanced performance luxury sedan hybrid in the market, delivering V8 power and 4-cylinder fuel efficiency.”

The 3.5-liter electrically-assisted V6 delivers a startling 360 horsepower while sipping fuel at an EPA estimated 32 mpg highway.

The Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid™ system features a 1-motor, 2-clutch parallel engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission and no torque converter. This advanced driveline takes the M Hybrid from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. The new Infiniti M35h can drive on electric power alone at speeds up to 62 mph and can travel on electric propulsion for up to 1.2 miles at a time. Tests have shown that in mixed diving, the Infiniti M35h is able to drive in electric only mode for as much as 50% of the time.

How does the M35h Hybrid compare to the M37 or the M56?

Obviously the M35h is on the same solid M Sedan chassis, has the same supple interior, and flaunts the same striking sheet metal wrapper. Creature-features like Bluetooth, Navigation, Heated Seats and more are all in the same place. One feature that the M35h will debut is the new Audible Pedestrian Warning System called "Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians", or VSP for short. VSP is an in-car sound synthesizer with a speaker built into the front bumper. What's the purpose? Since the M35h is so silent when decelerating and accelerating from a stop, it is difficult for pedestrians, bicyclists, and the visually impared to be aware of its presence.

The VSP development team worked with cognitive and acoustic psychologists studying areas including pedestrian behavioral patterns and noise pollution. The result is a sine-wave sound that extends from 2.5kHz at the high end to a low of 600Hz. It is a range readily audible to all age groups, while avoiding a sound range that would add unnecessary noise to the environment. The noise sweeps from high to low frequency depending on vehicle speed and whether the Infiniti M35h is accelerating or decelerating. It is loudest at start-up to give a clear indication the vehicle is beginning to move off, while an intermittent tone is used when reversing – both sounds calculated to ensure the Infiniti M35h cannot surprise pedestrians and the visually impaired as it approaches. ...Click for VSP Diagram

Infiniti of Mission Viejo is now assembling an interest list for pre-orders; complete the form below for more information.