Recording an average speed of 13.9031 seconds (across all runs, best run of 13.896 @ 103.5) the Infiniti M35h is officially, as per the Guinness World Records people, the fastest full hybrid car in the world.
The vehicle used was a standard production model and was run at the UK's Santa Pod Raceway on August 23, 2011. Infiniti is quick to point out that "the time puts it on par with performance heroes like the 1982 Lamborghini Countach1 and within a few tenths of some Porsches, Ferraris and Aston Martins." Right. Apt comparison.
You'll notice that this time is slower than we managed when we tested one back in March and ran a 13.5 @ 102.9. Guess we should have the guys from Guinness out to the track more often.
The UK's CAR magazine was behind the effort and used their new long term M35h for the test. Watch their video after the jump.
cjasis says:
04:01 PM, 09/20/11
No matter which time you cite,that's one quick hybrid.
I'm usually a pretty big Lexus/Toyota fan but think they've got their work cut out for them with the just annuonced GS450h.
bluejuke says:
06:06 PM, 09/20/11
this is a huge car that has the hybrid is priced close to v8, about the same speed, but gets gas mileage like a fwd juke :O
firstwagon says:
07:50 PM, 09/20/11
So what's the market for fast hybrids that get mediocre mileage?
bassrockerx says:
10:05 PM, 09/20/11
porsche will not let this stand!
lostboyz says:
03:54 AM, 09/21/11
"Recording an average speed of 13.9031 seconds"
Ummm, hate to be a pedant, but speed doesn't have units in seconds.
kain77 says:
05:25 AM, 09/21/11
@Mike Magrath
Nice Clarkson reference.
jeepsrt says:
06:22 AM, 09/21/11
It's almost as fast as the new SRT Jeep, If they made this in AWD I would seriously consider getting one.
ed124c says:
07:08 AM, 09/21/11
This car is for the guilt-laden.
transpower says:
07:48 AM, 09/21/11
This is probably the best hybrid sedan on the market, but it doesn't have an AWD option (and neither does the Porsche Panamera) and the rear seats don't fold (I believe). I'm still waiting for a Diesel-Electric Hybrid SUV AWD....
DLu says:
08:24 AM, 09/21/11
If you want a luxury vehicle, you want speed, you want build quality and dependability, and you LOVE long ranges (I don't know the range of an M56 vs M35h, but say, getting gas every 500 miles instead of every 300 miles), then this is perfect.
NOBODY likes to go get gas, for a variety of reasons. You don't have to feel bad about the destruction of our planet to want one of these.
cr_driver says:
09:19 AM, 09/21/11
That is why early on, when the question was presented, I chose the Hybrid over the V8.
Since I love V8`s it was a strange choice for me, but given the specs, it was the wise choice.
Besides, the V8 can remain in a sports car for some fun!!!
agentorange says:
04:53 PM, 09/21/11
Typically, British car mags and probably Guiness require two people and some hefty test gear in the car during testing. That probably accounts for their time being slower than yours.
ddark13 says:
08:51 AM, 09/22/11
i wonder whta the porsche panamera hybrid runs with its supercharged V6 and hybrid assist