Hybrids usually suck. At least they do when it comes to on-track mannerisms and performance-oriented driving. After all, some of them are so fuel economy-focused that they forget to be cars.The 2012 Infiniti M35h doesn't have that problem. The text at the top of the window sticker tells you what this car is concerned with, "V8 Power with 4-Cylinder Fuel Economy." Sounds....unlikely....
So when things like "Have you driven it?" "Guy, it's way faster than it should be!" "It's gotta be as fast as our M56 with the V8" and "Powersliding a hybrid is fun" started being lobbed around in talks about the 2012 Infiniti M35h we knew we had to settle this the only way car guys know how: with numbers.
M56 M35h
0-30 (sec): 2.2 2.3
0-45 (sec): 3.4 3.7
0-60 (sec): 5.0 5.5
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 4.7 5.1
0-75 (sec): 7.1 8.2
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.2 @ 107.3 13.8 @ 100.8
30-0 (ft): 30 30
60-0 (ft): 118 122
Skid pad lateral accel (g): 0.86 0.81
Slalom 65.1 63.1
Vehicle: 2012 Infiniti M35h
Odometer: 4,199
Date: 7/26/2011
Driver: Mike Monticello
Base Price: $54,595
Price as tested: $65,395
Specifications:
Drive Type: Longitudinal front engine with electric motor, rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Seven-speed automatic
Engine Type: 3.5-liter V6 with 50 KW electric motor
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 3,498/213.5
Redline (rpm): 7,000
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 369 combined (302 @ 6,800 gasoline motor and 67-hp electric motor)
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 258 @ 5,000 gas and 199-lb-ft electric motor
Brake Type (front): 12.6-inch ventilated disc with two-piston sliding calipers
Brake Type (rear): 12.1-inch ventilated disc with single-piston sliding caliper
Steering System: Electric power steering
Suspension Type (front): Independent double wishbone, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink with coil springs and stabilizer bar
Tire Size: 245/50R18 99V M+S
Tire Brand: Michelin
Tire Model: Primacy MXM4
Tire Type: All-season
Wheel size: 18-by-8.0 inches
Wheel material (front/rear): Aluminum alloy
Weight as tested: 4,163
Test Results:
0-30 (sec): 2.3 (2.5 TC on)
0-45 (sec): 3.7 (3.9 TC on)
0-60 (sec): 5.5 (5.7 TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.1 (5.2 TC on)
0-75 (sec): 8.0 (8.1 TC on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 13.8 @ 100.8 (13.8 @ 102.5 TC on)
Braking
30-0 (ft): 30
60-0 (ft): 122
Handling
Slalom (mph): 63.1 (59.6 TC on)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.81 (0.80 TC on)
Db @ Idle: 41.7
Db @ Full Throttle: 74.8
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 64.3
Acceleration Comments: Not as quick as the last M35h we tested. Hmmm...was that early car a bit hopped-up? Could not coerce any wheelspin at launch. Still, good power off the line. Quick shifts. First run with ESC on had highest trap speed. Most of the others were about 2 mph slower. Manual shifting via console lever (pull back for downshifts). Will hold gears to 7,000 rpm redline. Does not blip throttle on downshifts.
Braking Comments: Moderately long pedal travel, with inconsistent and slightly mushy feel during stops. Considerable nosedive, lots of ABS commotion, but semi-reasonable stopping distances that were a bit erratic in length.
Handling Comments:
Skid pad: Stability system cut throttle enough that you could go full wood, but it kept the car right at the limit of adhesion. Smart. Abrupt throttle delivery made ESC off runs a bit harder to control than they should've been, making playing with the throttle difficult. Tires felt very slippery, as if you were on ice. Just wants to understeer.
Slalom: Wow, what a boat. A lot of weight to try and toss around here, and the M's trying to do so on a very soft suspension. You also sit kinda high, giving a top-heavy feel. This is a slow-in, fast-out kind of car. Get behind and it massively understeers. But it was kind of fun to power-on oversteer a hybrid at slalom exit. Stability system is overly intrusive when switched on, adding a ton of brakes if you get aggressive with the turns.
Vehicle: 2011 Infiniti M56
Odometer: 1,290
Date: 12/14/10
Driver: Chris Walton
Price: $67,225
Specifications:
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Seven-speed automatic
Engine Type: Naturally aspirated, direct-injected V8, gasoline
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 5,552/339
Redline (rpm): 6,700
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 420 @ 6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 417 @ 4,400
Brake Type (front): 12.6-inch one-piece ventilated steel discs with two-piston sliding calipers
Brake Type (rear): 12.1-inch one-piece ventilated steel discs with single-piston sliding calipers
Steering System: Hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion power steering
Suspension Type (front): Independent double-wishbones, coil springs, monotube dampers, stabilizer bar
Suspension Type (rear): Independent multilink, coil springs, monotube dampers, stabilizer bar
Tire Size (front): P225/45R 18 91W M+S
Tire Size (rear): P225/45R 18 91W M+S
Tire Brand: Michelin
Tire Model: Primacy HX MXM4
Tire Type: All-season
As Tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,037 (55.8% front)
Test Results:
0-30 (sec): 2.2 (2.4 TC on)
0-45 (sec): 3.4 (3.6 TC on)
0-60 (sec): 5.0 (5.2 TC on)
0-75 (sec): 7.1 (7.3 TC on)
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 13.2 @ 107.3 (13.3 @ 107.4 TC on)
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 4.7 (4.7 TC on)
Braking
30-0 (ft): 30
60-0 (ft): 118
Handling
Slalom (mph): 63.5 (62.3 TC on)
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.86 (0.85 TC on)
Db @ Idle: 42.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 72.4
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 65.1
Acceleration Comments: There was no advantage to using the transmission's Sport mode for acceleration runs -- shift speed and shift rpm were identical to Normal mode (but Sport does quicken throttle response and hold gears longer in full Automatic). The M56 wants to creep forward when overlapping pedals, so rpm could not be greatly raised before launch.
Braking Comments: Stopping distances were repeatable and fade wasn't an issue; pedal feel was moderately firm. But the pads were smoking heavily after the last stop.
Handling Comments:
Skid pad: Does not exhibit the edginess of the sport suspension and summer tire-equipped M56. This one pretty much wants to circle the skid pad in a steady understeer push. The ESC was aggressive at cutting the throttle when turned on but the result proved only slightly slower.
Slalom: Softer suspension and all-season tires translate to a less precise but more forgiving M56 than the Sport package model we previously tested. Still, the chassis remains responsive to the point that you still need to keep on your toes about oversteer- both power on and drop-throttle.
altimadude05 says:
07:53 AM, 08/ 6/11
On the track, differences surface. But in everyday driving, I don't think you could tell the difference between them. The hybrid system gives enough grunt to get the car moving, and beyond 60 MPH there's no need to continue the drag race.
That being said, I'd rather have the V8 soundtrack following me down the road.
bodyblue says:
08:07 AM, 08/ 6/11
Hey Mike.....are you still a "jerk" if you are driving a hybrid that goes this fast??
church123 says:
08:17 AM, 08/ 6/11
Still not a hybrid fan. How does this compare to the old Lexus GS450h?
bgw says:
09:21 AM, 08/ 6/11
Hybrids in competition? This is OLD news, guys. See http://lexusenthusiast.com/2008/09/15/lexus-gs-450h-competes-in-targa-newfoundland-race/
for Lexus competing in Targa Newfoundland in 2007 and 2008.
firstwagon says:
09:37 AM, 08/ 6/11
""V8 Power with 4-Cylinder Fuel Economy." "
Yep that's fast. But does it really get 4 cylinder fuel economy?
coloradosilver says:
10:27 AM, 08/ 6/11
Um.... how the heck can you write this comparo without mentioing the fuel economy of either vehicle?
Thats kinda the whole point of the hybrid vehicle.
twistedrider says:
12:28 PM, 08/ 6/11
@ coloradosilver:
I was just gonna say the same thing. Good job for leaving the mpgs out. Lame.
bodyblue says:
01:37 PM, 08/ 6/11
Track tests usually dont indicate MPGs since it is not even a short take test....it just shows track results.
tsy says:
04:22 PM, 08/ 6/11
Umm, did your M56 really come with 225s????
It's amazing the hybrid is only 130lbs heavier. It's weight distribution is better too 51/49 vs 56/44.
All this and 27/32 mpg? For a daily driver it looks like a nice compromise.
blackdynamite1 says:
07:51 PM, 08/ 6/11
Matches the GS450h 0-60 speed, actually a little slower through the trap
Wonder how the Next GS Hybrid improves
BD
firstwagon says:
08:06 PM, 08/ 6/11
"All this and 27/32 mpg? For a daily driver it looks like a nice compromise."
But does it? still remember the Accord hybrid. V6 power with V6 mileage.
zoomzoom22 says:
08:16 PM, 08/ 6/11
No mention of fuel economy....wasn't comparing fuel economy and performance the whole point of this comparison?
Also, the hybrid M posts virtually identical numbers to the Lexus GS450h. Lexus has been there and done that before.
cr_driver says:
08:51 PM, 08/ 6/11
Yeah, but the Lexus GS450h only delivers 22 city 25 hyw MPG, while this infiniti M has a very impressive 27 city 32 hwy MPG. Wow.
By the way, the V8 has 16city/24hwy, which is something like 40% less fuel efficient in the city! wow.
And you even pay extra for the V8, $5400.
As much as I love V8`s, given this particular choice, I`d probably go with the hybrid.
Color me impressed with this infiniti M.
firstwagon says:
09:56 PM, 08/ 6/11
"while this infiniti M has a very impressive 27 city 32 hwy MPG. Wow."
But does it? People are so happy to believe the EP numbers but I say prove it.
kaidan33 says:
03:43 AM, 08/ 7/11
@firstwagon
But does it? People are so happy to believe the EP numbers but I say prove it.
Many have been saying that about Hyundai's numbers for years...
carpaul1 says:
04:30 AM, 08/ 7/11
Wow the hybrid makes the v8 kind of pointless. And the hybrid is like 12,000 cheaper.
With better fuel economy, this is a win-win for hybrid. I wonder what ratio of M56s sell with the v8? I am sure it is a very small percentage. Come to think of it, i don't even see many new BMW 5 or new Mercedes E series with the V8 options recently.
billt9 says:
07:57 AM, 08/ 7/11
the hybrid is $2000 cheaper. not $12,000 cheaper.
turtle99 says:
09:38 AM, 08/ 7/11
Without MPG numbers, this kind of article is useless.
Here are the numbers found on the web.
M35h 27CTY 32HWY 29CBN
M56 15CTY 25HWY 19CBN
Assuming the numbers are correct, Mike's point is well accepted.
Fuel economy jumped by about 50%, and it almost doubled for CTY.
If the numbers for accelerations and fuel economy are reproducible, my pick will be M35h between the two shown above.
firstwagon says:
11:42 AM, 08/ 7/11
The difference in mpg numbers is amazing. You really have to the 2 cars togeather again and run a couple tanks of fuel through them. One driving around the city and one on a road trip.
If the M35H can honestly average out a 10 mpg improvement over the M56 I will be truly impressed.
bimmerjay says:
01:11 PM, 08/ 7/11
Both of these cars are in desperate need of a decent set of summer tires.
mk40 says:
03:22 PM, 08/ 7/11
I'd would have liked to of seen the 50-70mph passing time for both cars. Hybrids with their instant e-motor response can sometimes match or exceed a larger engine here.
mk40 says:
06:14 PM, 08/ 7/11
Now if an automaker can offer a mild hybrid in this segement for $2000 less than the M35h that get's 21/31, then that would be even sportier since the engine would never cut off when the cars moving (I'm sure that would annoy many enthusiasts) & would instead always be spinning, cocked & ready to go... which is especially nice with a manual or DCT. Afterall it would only take about 180,000 miles to make up the price difference in fuel saving with the full hybrid. If u put the $2k u save in a bank CD, it would never catch up.
Why have these 2 extra expensive clutches sandwiched between the engine and tranny, that could fail or get jerky over the life of the pwrtrain or a larger, more expensive battery pack? My not just a simply e-motor bolted to front of the engine at the crank shaft pulley? If the e-motor ever failed..it's easy to replace & u would not have to pull the powertrain. Anyways, makes more sense to me.
technolawyer says:
06:42 PM, 08/ 7/11
first, I believe the tires listed for the m56 are in error. They should be the same as the tires on both vehicles: at least that is the way it should be according to the manufacturer.
What surprises me most is the slalom numbers for the H. It has a nearly 50/50 weight distribution and I would have thought that it would have toasted the 56.
Concerning performance, the H should really be compared to the 37. The 37 mpg numbers are 18/26 if I recall.