14 DAY TRIAL // As dealers across Europe are welcoming the new M35h into their showrooms, a test model went for the win at the Santa Pod Raceway (UK). The car became the world’s fastest accelerating full hybrid last month by covering the quarter mile (400m) in 13.9031 seconds.
The 2012 Infiniti M35h, a luxury four-door five-seater, has thus become faster than performance models such as 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante or the 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera.
The car was driven by journalist Tim Pollard and overseen by Guinness World Records, with the feat to be included in the 2013 edition of the famous Guinness Book of Records.
"The Infiniti M35h proves that hybrids can be fast as well as frugal," said Tim Pollard, associate editor of the UK's CAR Magazine. "At Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from standstill – the car just leapt off the line. I did try changing gear manually, but it was fastest left in automatic. That was when we achieved the fastest single run of 13.8960 seconds.
“But what impressed most was the M's duality of purpose: it might be quick, but it's also comfy and very easy to drive. It felt like it could do these runs all week long.”
The Infiniti M Hybrid, sold as the Nissan Fuga Hybrid in Japan, introduces the automaker’s first in-house developed electric hybrid technology. It is designed to battle cars like the BMW 5-series and Jaguar XF, and is currently the only saloon in its class in Europe to be available in petrol, diesel and hybrid forms.
Powered by a 36 -hp petrol/electric motor, the new Infiniti M35h emits just 162g/km of CO2, with an official EUDC fuel consumption on the combined cycle of 40.4 mpg (5.82 l/100km).
The M35h is also the world’s first hybrid to get standard audible pedestrian warning system, dubbed VSP (Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians).