2011 Infiniti M35h to Debut New Steering and Braking Tech

Designed to deliver both environmental benefits and enhanced driving feel, the new steering and braking technologies featured on the Infiniti M35h will come as a world’s first when the car goes on sale in the USA and Europe in 2011. The steering is an electro-hydraulic system with “on-demand” assistance, while the brakes use the Electric Driven Intelligent Brake system.

Taken separately, the steering system is smaller than traditional power steering set-ups, while delivering the advantages of both types of steering (hydraulic and electric).

As for the Electric Driven Intelligent Brake, the system uses the vehicle’s electric drive motor to operate the brake cylinders. Specifically, when the driver steps on the brake pedal, the necessary braking force is maintained while the hydraulic pressure of the friction brake is controlled to help maximize the energy regeneration of the hybrid motor.

The 2011 Infiniti M35h will also benefit from a one motor/two clutch system. The first clutch is installed between the naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 and the electric motor, which is embedded within the automatic transmission.

The electronically controlled clutch allows the full decoupling of the V6 when the car is in electric drive and power regeneration modes. Decoupling the V6 reduces mechanical drag and boosts the efficiency of the electric motor.

“Aided by an exceptionally fast charge/discharge response from the lithium-ion battery pack, the result is a hybrid that’s electrically powered for more of the time, and at higher speeds, than conventional hybrids,” a company statement reads.

The M35h is the low CO2 highlight of the new M Line and is also the first M ever to be sold in all of Infiniti’s 34 world markets.