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31/08/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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Along with three new Nissan models, the Japanese automaker is also planning to showcase another trio of debuts for its premium Infiniti brand at the LA Auto Show later this year. Included in the list are the Infiniti M Hybrid, the G25 Sedan and the IPL G Coupe.

The M Hybrid uses Infiniti’s 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an electric motor to get what Infiniti says is V8 power with 4-cylinder fuel economy. Infiniti has promised that its innovative new hybrid powertrain will deliver anywhere from a 60 to 90 percent improvement in fuel economy.

Joining the hybrid will be the G25 Sedan, a new entry-level Infiniti model designed to compete with the Lexus IS250 and Acura TSX. Instead of the G37′s 328-hp V6, the G25 will get a 2.5-liter V6 with 218-hp. For $30,950, a G25 sedan will still give you features like 17-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, leather seats, aluminum interior trim, power seats, and six-speaker stereo. The upscale Journey trim level adds a backup camera, heated front seats and dual zone climate control.

Finally, the IPL (Infiniti Performance Line) G Coupe will be unveiled as more potent and sport-injected version of the G37. Upgrades to the G include a retuned 3.7-liter V6 engine with a high-flow exhaust to bump power slightly to 348-hp. Torque also jumps to 276 ft-lbs. Additional modifications include a retuned suspension, 19-inch wheels with sport brakes and a limited slip differential – plus there’s a unique aero kit, as well as IPL badging for a time of 14.7:1 Other standard features include a special IPL engine cover, a back-up camera and incredible red stitching.

As always, AutoGuide will be on hand with complete coverage of all the LA Auto Show debuts starting November 17th. Until then, see our LA Auto Show preview here.

GALLERY: IPL G Coupe

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Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

07/10/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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The 2011 Infiniti M luxury sedan hasn’t even made it’s debut yet and already Nissan’s luxury arm has announced that a hybrid version of the M will be offered.

The new model will make use of the Infiniti 3.5-liter V6 engine, along with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack to deliver high levels of performance. Called the M35 Hybrid, it will be a full hybrid with the ability to operate on either gasoline, electric power or a combination of both.

This will be Infiniti’s first hybrid model and it promises to be the most fuel efficient vehicle the company has ever made.

The standard M37 and M50 models will arrive in 2010 as 2011 models, with the M35 Hybrid debuting and going on sale a year afterward.

GALLERY: 2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid

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Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Infiniti Hybird Coming to Market in 2010

Vehicle will use M34/45 chassis

23/03/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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After watching from the shadows for years as Toyota dominated the hybrid market, Nissan is finally preparing to launch it’s own ground-up hybrid vehicle; except it won’t be a Nissan, it will be an Infiniti.

According to a report in Japan’s Nikkei, which cites no sources, the hybrid will be based on Infiniti’s mid-level luxury M platform and would hit the market in 2010 in both Japan and North America.

Currently Nissan does offer one hybrid in its lineup, the Altima Hybrid, but that vehicle actually uses a Toyota hybrid system. Nissan is promising its new hybrid system will provide more power and do so much faster.

At this point it is unclear if Nissan’s new hybrid technology would be similar to the second generation setups currently being brought to market by automakers like Toyota or if the new hybrid system would use a lithium polymer (as opposed to lithium ion) setup – something which Hyundai is currently exploring.

The article also says that Nissan has significant hybrid ambitions with plans for many hybrid models in the future, both in the luxury and performance segments.

Infiniti recently debuted it’s Essence Concept at the Geneva Auto Show, a 600hp hybrid Grand Tourer, that gets its power from a 440hp twin-turbocharged direct-injection 3.7-liter V6 and a 160hp electric motor. Infiniti says that the electric motor in the Essence makes twice the power f a conventional electric motor due to its unique makeup.

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[Souce: Nikkei via BusinessWeek]