Get a Green Car -- 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid

The 2012 Infiniti's M sedan has eventually entered into its own with the present generation. Earlier versions forced pretty well and had good interior styling, but were hidden on the road and in the market place. The curvaceous design is definitely a head-turning standout. And Infiniti's interior manufacturers have upped their performance, producing an appealing new cabin. The car's chassis -- offered one sidesteps a few excessively intrusive electronic digital aids -- has all the smoothness and poise a premium vehicle should.

On top of that, the other big transformation with the new M is the add-on of a hybrid car. Located in between the expected six-cylinder (M37) and V-8 (M56) versions, the hybrid statements to marry the power of an eight-cylinder with the fuel economy of a four-banger. That's a pretty big boast, but it's certainly not trash talk.

Mechanically, Infiniti's hybrid system is a little bit different than the majority. The electric motor is sandwiched between the 3.7-liter V-6 engine and the transmission. Infiniti uses a conventional seven-speed automatic instead of a CVT -- less efficient maybe, but vastly more enjoyable to drive. The location of the motor allows the engine to shut down when you lift off the gas, even at highway speeds. A lithium-ion battery pack is energized via brake energy regeneration.

The V-6 and the electric motor incorporate to produce 360 hp, which outmuscles the M37's V-6 (333 hp) but doesn't equal the M56's V-8 (420 hp). On the other hand, the hybrid has the benefit of the electric motor's 199 pound-feet of torque, which is available at a low 1770 rpm. Thus, the M hybrid lunges off the line, chirping its tires as the traction control system challenges to keep pace. It also rockets ahead during passing techniques. The car feels almost as frantic as the V-8, and definitely quicker than the V-6.

Having said that, it's EPA rated at 27 mpg city, 32 on the highway. Its most direct rival, the Lexus GS450h, is going to be changed and maybe doesn't make for a very fair comparison, but that fact that the Lexus hybrid features a comparably pathetic 22/25 mpg just shows how speedily hybrid technology is improving. However, I was only able to accomplish an indicated 25 mpg in my week with the car, but that was almost all in-town driving, and with our steep hills here, it's not uncommon for cars to do worse than their EPA city estimates in my hands.

I might have done better had I involved the Infiniti's "eco pedal," which is available in all versions of the M sedan, and is accessed via a drive mode selector dial. But this technology, wherein the gas pedal pushes back at you if the car decides you're driving too strongly, is almost as annoying as having a hyperventilating mother-in-law smacking you with her purse whenever she thinks you're driving too fast. Better to leave the dial in normal mode, even at the loss of a few MPGs.

Article Source: http://www.carpart4u.com/