Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid First Impressions

Get the best interest rate
Khatir Soltani
Add an H to the M and you get Luxury with Great Fuel Economy
Vernon, British Columbia - Infiniti has won the ALG award for residual value three years in a row, and has received several awards from Consumers Reports. Refinement and luxury are two words that are synonymous with the Infiniti name.

The M is one of my favourite cars, and the addition of a hybrid is a wonderful option. (Photo: Infiniti)

I cannot think of a more perfect setting than the Sparkling Hill resort in stunning Vernon BC to take the all-new Infiniti M Hybrid for a test drive. This incredible hotel pampers its guests, while every attention to detail is looked after. And I am expecting the same from this new hybrid. Sales for the M in 2011 increased 158% over 2010, so people like what this car has to offer.

New for 2012 is the M35h, offered with the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid system. It’s the first gas-electric powertrain in the brand’s line-up, consisting of a one-motor, two-clutch parallel hybrid system that Infiniti is hoping will deliver the power of a V8 with the fuel efficiency of a 4-cylinder.

Performance comes from Infiniti’s proven 3.5-litre, DOHC 24-valve V6 engine that delivers 302 hp. Combine that with the 50-kW electric motor to get a net horsepower output of 360. Combine the V6’s 258 lb-ft of torque with the electric motor’s immediately-available 199 lb-ft, and this car can really move.

When I was first leaving the hotel, with very little sound coming from the car, I put my foot down to accelerate and was pleasantly surprised with the quick and smooth response from the engine.

A lightweight lithium-ion battery pack allows the power to be delivered directly through the 7-speed automatic transmission. The compact battery is in the trunk and does not take up much more than 3 cubic feet. There is still a lot of space in there, and Infiniti says you can still fit four sets of golf clubs.

A brake regeneration system as well as speed-sensitive, Hybrid-Electric Power Steering help to conserve energy and give a very natural driving feel. The H-EPS system uses an electric motor to create the same pressure feel a hydraulic setup does. At no point in my drive did I sense I was driving a hybrid.

The three-hour drive route had some winding and steep roads, but this M35h was willing and able to happily cruise on all of them. Putting my foot on the gas to pass on the highway was just as impressive as initial acceleration.

Performance comes from Infiniti’s proven 3.5-litre, DOHC 24-valve V6 engine that delivers 302 hp. Combine that with the 50-kW electric motor to get a net horsepower output of 360. (Photo: Infiniti)
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada