Infiniti M35h - the Fun Hybrid

The Infiniti M35h Hybrid offers luxury, size and power with rather outstanding mileage, 27mpg city and

32mpg highway. Very impressive from a powertrain rated at 360hp and 457ft.lbs of torque in a 4129lb car. Wrap your head around that for a minute. A gas-only sedan of similar size and power would have a hard time getting 25mpg highway. A note about the horsepower and torque figures: The combined horsepower (302 gas, 67 electric) adds up to 369 but only has a net rating of 360. A fair estimate on the total torque may be around 460ft.lbs.

The dash layout, with nice curving shapes was rather confusing and busy. Even after spending a lot of time in a G37 Coupe, the related controls in the M35h are not as intuitive. After that, it’s like driving any other large, luxurious sedan. The corporate V-6, closely related to the previous generation 3.5 liter vs. the current 3.7s in the Nissan/Infiniti line-up seems smooth and quiet. With all the refinement and automatic transmission, the notorious NHV (noise, vibration, harshness) is completely hidden.

The powertrain is quite innovative. It has a dry clutch between the engine and the 67lb electric motor and a wet clutch between the electric motor and 7-speed automatic transmission. This means the torque converter is eliminated. There is no slop felt when driving this car. There are many more features to cover but these were the immediate impressions and highlights. What was really fun was punching the throttle while rolling and getting rubber, rather surprising tire spin in such a heavy and refined car. You can actually have fun in this "green machine." Now how many hybrid cars can you say that about in this current day and age?

Comments

Sixth generation Camaro V6 review

Chevrolet updated the chassis of the Camaro for 2016 with the new Alpha platform and by all accounts the approximately 250 to 300lb weight reduction was a huge improvement. Despite having a brilliant chassis and three powerful engine choices, the interior and outward visibility hardly improved at all. I wanted to like this car, I really did. It has some really good aspects but overall it’s only good for going in a straight line, not reverse or backing up out of any parking space, on public roads or modified into a track-only car. You decide if the interior justifies a $29,000 MSRP. The 2017 model is essentially the same. The 335hp V-6 is a great engine, responsive, sounds good and with the quick shifting 8 speed automatic, the car is capable of mid-high 13 second quarter mile ETs. It feels every bit as quick as the numbers suggest. It has no appreciable dead spots and has an excellent pull. The 8 speed auto is finicky on the highway though, downshifting at the slightest provocatio...

The San Francisco Auto Show is rolling at the Moscone Center

The 59 th annual San Francisco Auto show returned this past Saturday, November 19 th through November 27 th at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. Always a bargain to view over 800 vehicles at $10 for adults and children under 12 free. This year expanded further the emphasis on electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles. Test drives are offered with thirty vehicles by six different manufacturers including Mercedes and Fiat. Multiple special guests are scheduled throughout the week such as local sports mascots, the Raiderettes, radio and television personality Gary Radnich and more. The Auto Salon which featured modified cars, trendsetters in an eclectic collection. It is in the south hall on the upper level. The signage needs to be increased, but it’s worth a visit. Yes, there were the broken-axle appearing stanced cars and plenty of lowered sedans, but there are some gems as well. Photography is a bit of a challenge due to the cars being too close together, but it’s a...

BMW M760LI xDrive quick review

2017 BMW M760LI XDRIVE – LUXURY ON OVER-DRIVE Originally published on the new performance oriented website, Fuelcurve.com: https://fuelcurve.com/2017-bmw-m760li-xdrive-luxury-over-drive-review/ Seeing a factory matte finish BMW raises the eyebrows. Strolling nonchalantly toward it, spotting the V-12 emblem puts a pause in your pace. Then reading the back emblem and seeing “M760i” denoting BMW’s 601hp technological tour-de-force definitely raises both eyebrows. Who knew a 2017 model year V-12, twin turbo sedan was available anywhere for nearly $172,000. This is a CEO car. It’s for the business owner who, nicely put, gives zero cares about what anyone thinks about his or her 16mpg highway Q-ship. They worked hard, employ many, and get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Or maybe wants something that is extremely modern, smooth and quiet and not care where the charging station may or may not be. Start-up and driving is like any other car in the basic sense. But extra attention is giv...

Review Your Cars

Search This Blog