Car Sight

In October 2009, Nissan announced that its Infiniti luxury brand would offer a gasoline-electric hybrid version of its M35 V6 powered luxury performance sedan, to go on sale in the U.S. and Europe in early 2011. The Infiniti M35h represents the automaker’s first in-house hybrid, and provides one more example of the curious relationship between luxury and hybrid vehicles.

For a number of years, Nissan’s leadership repeatedly made the argument that hybrids are not the answer to the environmental challenges facing the automobile industry—and that only pure all-electric cars represent the necessary shift to oil- and emissions-free motoring. The company’s small all-electric Nissan LEAF arrived in late 2010.

However, the use of a gas and electric power combo is apparently Nissan’s solution for luxury buyers unwilling to sacrifice horsepower and high-end features, but no longer wanting to guzzle gas. As Infiniti’s press release states, "The M35h has been designed and engineered to add to, not take away from, the driving experience, a key part of any Infiniti's appeal." [Subtext: Most hybrids take away from the driving experience.]

The first official unveiling of the new hybrid was last March at the Geneva Motor Show, and in late August it was spotted at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a preview of its official debut at November’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The Japanese production version, called the Nissan Fuga Hybrid, made its debut in late October.