Paris Preview: 2011 Infiniti M35h

One of the highlights in Infiti’s booth at the Paris Auto Show this year is the company’s first hybrid, the 2011 M35h, with the first European deliveries set to start next spring. The Japanese luxury car brand is using the biennial Paris exposition also to announce technical details and figures of the hybrid.

According to the automaker, they will confirm why Infiniti has dubbed the M35h “the driver’s hybrid”. The 3.5-litre petrol V6 delivers 225 kW (306 PS) and 350 Nm of torque at 5000 rpm. The electric motor is rated at 50 kW (68 PS) and provides high torque from zero rpm, peaking at 270 Nm at just 1000 rpm.

The 2011 M35h accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 5.9 seconds, and keeps on going until reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The M35h has a combined fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100km (38.6 mpg), while emitting less than 170 g/k of CO2. However, all figures are subject to final homologation.

The M35h will be available in base and luxury GT forms, with the top GT Premium model fully equipped as standard. The M35h can cruise on electric power alone at a constant speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) on a level highway. Electric mode can only be used at speeds as high as 140 km/h (87 mph).

The 2011 Infiniti M35h will also come with the new steering and braking technologies. The steering is an electro-hydraulic system with “on-demand” assistance, while the brakes use the Electric Driven Intelligent Brake system.

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.

autoevolution will be attending the 2010 Paris Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.