The 2011 Infiniti M35h also called the ‘driver’s hybrid’ by the Japanese automaker, will hit the European market next year, and some of the steering and braking technologies on it are world’s firsts.
The 2011 Infiniti M35h uses a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a 68 PS (50 kW) electric motor for propulsion while power is put to the ground via a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Unfortunately the automaker did not specify any performance figures for its 2011 Infiniti M35h, but it did mention that this will be their most fuel efficient model in the M Line line-up, with the lowest CO2 footprint.
The steering on the 2011 Infiniti M35h uses an electro-hydraulic system with ‘on-demand’ assistance while the brakes (called the Electric Driven Intelligent Brake) are oriented at both performance as well as low CO2 emissions.
Extensive details regarding these two innovations are available in the press release below the jump, and Inifiniti said it will sell the M35h on all of their 34 world markets.
The 2011 Infiniti M35h price will get announced as the on-sale date approaches.
Inifiniti press release :
ROLLE, Switzerland (August 13, 2010) – The “driver’s hybrid” from
Infiniti, the M35h, will introduce world-first steering and braking
technologies when it goes on sale in the USA and Europe in 2011. The
debut systems have been designed to deliver both environmental benefits
and enhanced driving feel, reinforcing strengths already central to the
Infiniti M35h with its innovative one motor/two clutch system.
Like the drivetrain, which marries a charismatic V6 petrol engine
with 50 kW (68 PS) electric motor built in to the 7-speed automatic
transmission, simplicity was a key tenet in the development of the
steering and brakes of the high performance luxury sedan.
The steering of the Infiniti M35h is an electro-hydraulic system with
“on-demand” assistance. It offers the advantages of both types of
steering – the natural and smooth feel of hydraulic power steering and
the improved fuel efficiency of an electric system – while the motor
cuts in only when the wheel is turned, further boosting efficiency. The
system is smaller than traditional power steering set-ups, a feat
achieved by integrating multiple parts.
The brakes are similarly designed primarily to suit sports sedan
buyers’ needs, but at the same time contributing to the lower carbon
footprint of the M35h, low CO2 champion of Infiniti’s all-new M Line sedan line-up.
The engineers looked to the hybrid system itself for the solution.
What they came up with – a way to use the vehicle’s electric drive motor
to operate the brake cylinders – represents another world-first
innovation for the Japanese brand.
The system is called Electric Driven Intelligent Brake. 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.
Because of its simple structure, in which the motor directly operates
the brake cylinders, the Electric Driven Intelligent Brake system has
the potential to be a key part of all future Infiniti Direct Response
Hybrid vehicles.
The simplicity of these elegant mechanical solutions, with their
emphasis on more compactness, lighter weight and fewer parts, is made
possible by advanced computerized control.
Another benefit of both the new steering and braking systems is that
they work with the innovative drivetrain to enhance the driving
experience rather than dilute it in the manner of some hybrid vehicles.
Designed to be fast and responsive with a strong sporting bias to the
rear-wheel drive handling, the Infiniti M35h aims to deliver an
exhilarating drive in all situations.
Central to this is its 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.
Yet when the driver demands it the Infiniti M35h responds like a true
high performance machine, offering the linear acceleration and
unsullied rear-drive handling of a true Infiniti – complete with all
the charisma of one of the great V6 petrol engines. Like the 7-speed
Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) automatic transmission that blips the
throttle on downchanges, the new braking and steering technologies are
integral to the M35h’s positioning as the hybrid to please the most
demanding of drivers.
Infiniti’s first hybrid, the M35h is the low CO2 star of
the all-new M Line which also includes petrol and diesel models and
which is the first M ever to be sold in all of Infiniti’s 34 world
markets.
Among the Infiniti M’s many other claims to fame are the world-first
Blind Spot Intervention (BSI), state-of-the-art Forest Air climate
control and Active Noise Control, while comfort and luxury are taken
care of with double-piston dampers and the availability of semi-aniline
leather in the spacious cabin.
M35h sales start in spring 2011, depending on market.
