Hybrid Wars: Infiniti Targeting Porsche

Just because you may have an interest in the environment or just plain ol’ saving some cash doesn’t mean that you have a disinterest in performance. Just ask the Prius driver jailed for racing.

Anyway, there are lots of performance oriented brands that have now offered up their version of a no-compromise hybrid. Infiniti is the latest with their brand new M35 hybrid. In fact, Infiniti is so confident that their new hybrid is a no nonsense performance sedan that they decided to put their money where their mouth is and stack it up against in a drag race against one of the most expensive hybrid offerings on the market: The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.

First things first, the specs. The Porsche comes with 380 horsepower and a 0-100 km/h time of just 5.7 seconds all while returning 7.8 L/100 kms in fuel efficiency on the highway.

The M35 gets a 360 horsepower V6 which makes the dash in… your guess is as good as mine. Infiniti has not released official numbers yet. Perhaps this is why this video exists in the first place. In terms of efficiency, the M35 fairs better at 7.3 L/100 kms on the highway.

So without further ado, check out the drag race above. Since this is a video made by Infiniti I probably won’t ruin it for you by saying the M35 hybrid beat out the Porsche on this one, but in the same regard, since it is indeed made by Infiniti, take it with a grain of salt as there is probably lots of unaccounted variables that gives the M35 an edge (not least of which is not showing the drag race from the start line).

Still, the M35 hybrid does make a decent case for itself for those who want luxury and performance but who aren’t willing (or who aren’t able) to pay the Porsche’s $95,000 price tag.

[Youtube]

Oh Hi: 2013 Infiniti JX

Nissan and premium division Infiniti are well known for making boldly designed crossovers, but unfortunately that sometimes meant that functionality took a backseat to style. Well, not anymore.

Infiniti has released the new JX crossover which blends both style and function together nicely. Case in point, the swoopy elegant design actually has enough room for third row seats for 7 passengers. The JX successfully blends in the Infiniti corporate look, all while retaining its own individuality.

Under the hood you’ll find a 3.5 litre V6 making 265 horsepower and 248 pound feet of torque connected to a CVT automatic transmission. The JX will be all-wheel drive while an independent front suspension takes car of the load up front and a multi-link suspension takes care of the rear. It also comes with ventilated disk brakes, covered by 18 in or optional 20 inch wheels.

Inside is typical Infiniti quality fit and finish with all the goodies you’d expect such as a Bose stereo system, active cruise control, lane departure warnings, cameras pretty much everywhere and an industry first system that actually stops the JX if something is directly behind you and the driver fails to notice in time while reversing.

The JX will go on sale in the spring of 2012 as 2013 model.

[Infiniti]

Introducing the Cheapest Infiniti You Can Buy

Infiniti is introducing a new model to the Canadian market and it just so happens to be the cheapest as well.

The G25 will now be a part of the G37 sedan and coupe lineup, though it will be available only in sedan body style. The G25 will also use a smaller engine than the G37. It will use 2.5 litres and it will develop 218 horses along with 187 pound feet of torque. The G25 will be available in either rear wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Infiniti has mentioned a seven speed automatic being available, but more worryingly, there is no mention of a manual transmission option.

The hope with the new G25 is to offer a competitor to BMW’s 323i, Mercedes-Benz’s C230 and Lexus’ IS 250 and will help usher people into the brand.

The G25 will have a starting price of $36,360.

[Infiniti Canada]

FAIL: Audi R8 Poseur

In our quest to bring you the latest and greatest in the automotive world, we sometimes come across a lot of stupid/embarrassing car related pictures and videos. We tend to ignore a good chunk of them, but it seems as though the world will be coming to an end very shortly as the amount of under glow, chrome rims, body kits and over sized spoilers are finding their way onto almost any vehicle imaginable at an astonishing rate.

Therefore, rather than ignoring the tastelessness, we have decided to expose the lack of brain cells out there in a new category called ‘FAILS’.

In this case, someone decided to take their perfectly fine Infiniti G35 coupe, and and tack on the side blade signature a la Audi R8. While the result isn’t quite as vomit inducing as you’d think, it’s still quite tacky and unfortunate. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the G35 coupes style to begin with, and the G35 isn’t exactly everywhere you look so if this person was seeking some form of exclusivity, he probably already had it before the tasteless mod.

In any event, FAIL.

Put it Back In, It’s Not Done Yet: 2011 Infiniti QX56

Well, we have some good news and some bad news.

The good news is this is Car Driven’s 100th post! Whoo!

The bad news is that it’s about the monstrocity that is the 2011 Infiniti QX56.

We had sort of been hoping that the QX56 would quietly just die off somewhere since the current generation is also ugly and does not sell nearly as much as its competition, which is mostly the Escalade and Navigator.

But Inifiniti figures if it makes it uglier, it will somehow sell? Who knows.

The bulbus forehead theme that seems to be finding its way on most new Infinitis is present up front along with G37 inspired headlights, which don’t work at all on the QX56. There is an apparant desire to make a boxy design swoopy, and more often than not, it doesn’t work out.

Under that huge bump on the head is a 5.6 litre direct injected V8 that the old QX56 had which makes 400 horsepower and 405 pound foot of torque. Everything in terms of interior and packaging  is pretty much expected to stay the same as well.

After the jump is a shot of the rear which carries on the awkward ugly theme

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We Heart Wald International

The pic above explains why.

The Japanese company is in the business of prettying up already great looking vehicles such as this XJ by making their own cosmetic changes.

Body kits, rims and tires are just some of the things they do to achieve this.

Hit the jump to see even more examples of how to tastefully mod your BMW, Infiniti, Porsche or Rolls Royce into a work of art.

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