Infiniti will sell this, the M35h hybrid executive saloon, in the UK from spring. No prices yet, but for now all you need to know is that it hits 62mph in 5.5 seconds yet returns 40.4mpg. Can't say fairer than that.
The hybrid system links a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with 302bhp to an electric motor with 68bhp. Like the Toyota Prius (which all media outlets are contractually obliged to mention whenever discussing a hybrid car), the hybrid system allows electric-only drive.
The Infiniti M35h can reach 50mph using just the electric motor, and its maker says that during testing the car 'has shown it can drive in electric-only mode for as much as 50% of the time on mixed routes.'
At the same time, it's the fastest car to 62mph of the M range, a whopping 0.7 seconds quicker to the benchmark than the Infiniti M37.
At town speeds the car utilises a system that emits a 'pleasing, non-intrusive sound that varies in pitch and volume' so as to warn pedestrians of its approach.
Infiniti isn't vulgar enough to mention 'its main hybrid rival' by name, but it does say that on the extra urban cycle the M35h is 10mpg better off, and that it is two bands lower for VED - Band G. That about halves the annual charge, down to £155, and means lower company car tax liability.
Using all our powers of deduction and a couple of bribes we've discovered that Infiniti is referring to the Lexus GS 450h.
The physical price for the hybrid system is a 100-litre reduction in boot space, which goes to 350-litres, although Infiniti assures us it will still swallow four golf bags.
It will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with prices announced before that. There'll be two grades available, GT and Premium, but as yet no S version has been announced.
Mark Nichol - 24 Jan 2011