Infiniti M35h sets Guinness World Record for Fastest Accelerating Full Hybrid, Lamborghini Countach Owners Beware

On August 23, the new Infiniti M35h sped into the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest accelerating full hybrid model.

The record-breaking feat took place at UK’s Santa Pod drag strip, with the 364HP luxury sedan, driven by CAR magazine journalist Tim Pollard, setting an average 0-400 m (quarter-mile) time of 13.9031 seconds and a passing speed of over 160 km/h (100 mph).

“The Infiniti M35h proves that hybrids can be fast as well as frugal,” said Pollard. “At Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from the standstill – the car just leapt of the line. I tried changing gears manually, but it was fastest in automatic.”

Infiniti claims that its new hybrid sedan, which just went on sale in Europe, can challenge not only supercars of the past like the Lamborghini Countach, but even contemporary sports cars like Porsches, Ferraris and Aston Martins.

The M35h was a standard production model combining a 305HP 3.5-liter gasoline V6 to a 50kW (68HP) electric motor. Despite its 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time of 5.5 seconds the M35h has an average fuel consumption of 7.0 lt/100 km (33.6 US mpg) and emits 162 g/km of CO2.

Quarter Mile Times from Zerotosixtytimes:

· 1982 Lamborghini Countach S: 13.9 seconds
· 1998 BMW M3: 13.8 seconds
· 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante: 13.6 seconds
· 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera: 13.6 seconds
· 1966 Shelby Cobra: 13.5 seconds
· 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO: 13.5 seconds

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Infiniti's Sebastian Vettel-Inspired FX50 Performance Concept Breaks Cover

When the doors open to the 64th IAA International Motor Show on September 13, Infiniti will premiere a new concept study that takes the firm's partnership with F1 racing team Red Bull to the next level.

The Infiniti FX50 Performance Concept was inspired by reigning Formula One World Champion and Red Bull driver, Sebastian Vettel. The 24-year old German, who is Infiniti's first ever Global Brand Ambassador, is said to have helped in the design of the FX50 study.

The Japanese company is keeping mum about the technical details of the FX50 Performance Concept, but the photo shows that it is based on the facelifted model featuring Infiniti's new corporate grille that we first saw earlier this month.

Unique elements to the concept include the redesigned front bumper with LED daytime lights incorporating a carbon fibre apron, the shape of which mimics the design of an F1 car's front wing.

Carbon fibre can also be found on the newly designed side skirts, the roof spoiler, and the rear bumper, while Infiniti did away with the roof rails. Also included are Vettel badges on the front fenders and newly styled alloy wheels shod in performance tires.

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2013 Infiniti JX Crossover Teaser Shot No6

Another week, another picture of Infiniti's foray into the 7-seater luxury crossover segment that we will come to know as the JX when it arrives in North American showrooms next spring.

The latest image gives us a better view of the crossover models fascia including Infiniti's new curvy grille that has already made its way on the refreshed for the 2012 model year FX.

For the full picture, we'll have to wait another week as the official reveal will take place at the at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance event in Monterey, California, on August 18.

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Infiniti Shows us 2013 JX Crossover's Rear End with Teaser Shot No5

Since the beginning of July, Infiniti has been releasing a teaser photo of its new 2013 JX luxury crossover every single week and will continue to do so until the official unveiling at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance event in Monterey, California, on August 18.

For this week's menu, we get the fifth picture that shows the 7-seater model's rear end in all its glory but nothing else more. You can check out the rest of the images of the 2013 Infiniti JX right after the break.

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2012 Infiniti FX Brings Mildly Refreshed Looks

It's that time of the year in the U.S. that automakers launch their new model year lineups. For the Infiniti FX, the luxury crossover enters the 2012MY with some mild styling changes inside and out along with new standard features and the presentation of a limited edition version.

The visual refresh concerns a new front grille and fascia design that is influenced by the Essence Concept and which we will see all future Infiniti models, plus a revised meter illumination with a more pronounced white appearance.

For 2012, all FX trim models are now offered with standard heated front seats, while other enhancements include a new exterior color (Graphite Shadow replaces Platinum Graphite); a new 20-inch wheel design for the FX35 Deluxe Touring Package; the addition of Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) to the FX50 Sport Package, and a shift of the quilted leather climate-controlled front seats to the FX35 Deluxe Touring Package from the Premium Package.

Infiniti has also introduced a new Limited Edition model based on the all-wheel drive FX35 model. It features an available exclusive Iridium Blue exterior color along with 21-inch alloy graphite finish wheels shod in P265/45R21 V-rated all-season tires, smoked out headlamps with Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) and auto-leveling, and dark tinted side air vents and lower door trim.

Other standard features on the FX35 Limited Edition include aluminum roof rails and roof rail crossbars with graphite finish, aluminum pedals, graphite floor mats with bespoke blue piping, Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System and Around View Monitor (AVM).

There are no changes to the engine range as the FX continues in 2012 with a choice of two powerplants, a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 303-horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque in the FX35 and a 5.0-liter V8 producing 390 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque in the FX50.

The 2012 FX will go on sale in the U.S. in October.

2012 INFINITI FX

2011 INFINITI FX

Carlos Ghosn Hints at a GT-R Based Infiniti…Sort Of

Nissan’s luxury offspring, Infiniti, already has a sports car, the G37 coupe. But lately there has been a lot of talk about cooperating with Red Bull now that the latter is considering entering the car-making business.

In addition, Nissan’s boss, Carlos Ghosn, is teasing us with a rather exciting prospect: an Infiniti version of the amazing Nissan GT-R. At least that’s what he hinted at during an interview in CAR magazine.

The two companies belong to the same group, so platform and parts sharing is common practice these days and Infiniti could definitely use a halo model to combat the M’s and AMG’s of this world. The Essence concept would be a great idea for coating the GT-R's hardware with a sexier outfit.

Like all CEOs, Ghosn was being coy: “If you ask me ‘are we going to do that’, I would say ‘no, I don’t think so’. But if your question is ‘could we do that, I would say ‘yes’. The idea of using existing technologies on the body of an Infiniti… All technologies developed for Nissan are available to Infiniti”.

So, he didn’t say they will do it, by he didn’t deny it either. Chances are they won’t, at least not now, as Infiniti has other priorities: “I think we need to go step by step” says Ghosn. “We have the FX, the M, the G. Then we have the high-end 4x4 QX in the US. We have the electric car and a sub-G smaller car coming”.

No GT-R Infiniti dreams, then? “The idea makes sense. The technology and platform are readily available. The GT-R is a great car. Is it a project now? No. But I don’t want to give you the impression we’ll never do that. But don’t think it’s coming in the next two or three years”.

It’s okay, Mr. Ghosn. We can wait a little longer…

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