Infiniti to offer M Hybrid in 2010

Nissan Motor Co. will offer a luxury gas-electric hybrid for the U.S. and Japanese markets next year, Japan's top business daily reported Sunday, as competition intensifies in the green technology.

Nissan's Tokyo headquarters were closed for the weekend. Automakers are generally tightlipped about specific product plans, but Nissan already has shown prototypes of their hybrid models.

Nissan has fallen behind Japanese rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in developing its own hybrids but has made no secret of its ambitions to play aggressive catchup.

It now buys hybrid systems from Toyota for the Nissan Altima hybrid but is promising a vehicle packed with Nissan's own hybrid system by 2010.

Nissan is developing a different kind of battery for hybrids from those used by Toyota and Honda. Nissan officials say their battery is better at providing quicker and more power.

The Nikkei, which did not cite sourcing, said Nissan's hybrid system will be offered for the luxury Infiniti M, sold as the Fuga in Japan. Nissan plans to expand hybrid offerings to other luxury models and sports cars, the report said.

Nissan officials have said the nation's third-biggest automaker is working on a bigger hybrid system than Toyota's popular Prius, the global top-seller among hybrids, and will make hybrid sports cars and luxury models.

Among luxury cars, Toyota already offers various Lexus hybrids, while German automakers Daimler AG and BMW AG are planning hybrids.

In recent months, competition among lower-end hybrids has heated up with a major challenge to the Prius' dominance from Honda's hit Insight.
Hybrids deliver better mileage and reduce global warming gas emissions, compared with ordinary cars, because hybrids switch between a gasoline engine and an electric motor to deliver gas-sipping efficiency.

Source:
KAGEYAMA, Y. (2009, 03 22). AP Financial News. Retrieved 3 27, 2009, from BusinessWeek.com:

In Detail: The G37 Coupe Convertible Top

The G37 Convertible maintains a coupe-like silhouette with the top up through use of a special three-piece "clamshell" retractable hardtop, which allows for use of a shorter rear overhang and low trunk lid. Compared to G Coupe, the G Convertible utilizes all-new body panels from the A-pillar back, along with a 1.1-inch wider overall width, wider rear track and modified rear suspension.

The automatic top opening/closing sequence takes approximately 30 seconds from start to finish. The open/close switch is located on center console, just behind the transmission shifter lever.



Along with its stunning G Coupe-like proportions, the G Convertible offers signature Infiniti styling cues such as flowing front fender curves, a wave-style aluminum hood, expressive front fascia with double-arch grille and L-shaped High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights with integrated fog lamps. The G37S Convertible Sport 6MT and G37 Convertible with Sport Package include a unique front fascia/bumper design. In the rear, the taillights are unique to the G Convertible, incorporating an inner "circle of light" for added style. The chrome rear trunk finisher incorporates both an integrated high-mount stoplight and the small camera for the standard RearView Monitor system.

The G37 Convertible is offered with Infiniti's advanced "self-healing" Scratch Shield paint in eight exterior colors: Vibrant Red, Athens Blue, Liquid Platinum, Platinum Graphite, Black Obsidian, Moonlight White and two G Convertible-exclusive colors, Midnight Garnet and Pacific Sky.

"With the top up, the G Convertible's seductive styling hides the fact that it's a convertible. With the top down, it takes on a personality all its own – revealing its beautiful, equally dramatic interior design. It's a car you can't stop looking at," said Poore.

The interior design combines sophistication, craftsmanship and thoughtfulness with unique, available systems created to enhance the open-air driving experience. The driver-oriented cockpit features an Infiniti signature "double wave" instrument panel design with Infiniti electroluminescent instrumentation with white-and-violet illumination, integrated multi-function information drive computer display and analog Infiniti clock. The double hand-stitched leather-covered steering wheel is designed for maximum comfort and usability, with standard wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Genuine magnesium paddle shifters are available for the 7-speed automatic transmission (G37 Convertible with Sport Package only).

Special aluminum interior trim, inspired by fine Japanese silk and unique to the G Convertible, is located across the instrument panel, on the center console and on the door panels. Also available is Genuine African Rosewood trim. Leather-appointed seating is standard and is offered in three colors – Graphite (black), Wheat and Stone.

Heated 8-way power driver/8-way front passenger seats are standard, with Climate-Controlled Seats (with heating and cooling functions) available as part of the Premium Package. The G37S Convertible Sport 6MT and G37 Convertible with Sport Package include special sport-styled front seats with manual thigh extension and driver's power thigh and torso support – along with sport stitching for the front seats and steering wheel, high-grip aluminum pedals and foot rest and, with the 7-speed automatic, magnesium paddle shifters. A power walk-in device with position memory provides easy access to the 2nd row seats (the front seats move forward automatically at the touch of a button to allow passengers into the rear seats). An available rear wind deflector helps reduce wind turbulence when the top is down.
The 2009 G37 Convertible's long list of comfort and convenience features includes standard Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and an Adaptive Dual Zone Climate Control System includes an advanced air conditioning system that adjusts to provide optimal comfort with the top up or down.

Two audio systems are available, starting with a standard 6-speaker AM/FM/6CD system with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and center console-mounted auxiliary input, 7-inch color display and XM® Satellite Radio.
A second system is also available– a 13-speaker Infiniti Bose® Open Air Sound system combining a 24-bit 96KHz Burr Brown® Digital Analog Converter (DAC) with an Audio Pilot 2? system with microphone that automatically optimizes EQ settings for open/closed top positions. The system's special Bose® Personal Headrest Speakers, mounted in the front seat headrests, enable superior front audio quality regardless of the top position. An Interface System for iPod® is also included with this system.
Other available G37 Convertible features include a Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and the Infiniti Navigation System with available XM NavTraffic® with Real-Time Traffic information, Infiniti Voice Recognition for navigation, audio and climate control functions, and a 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive with Compact Flash® drive slot.

"The design of the G Convertible interior takes into consideration the typical distractions from fully enjoying open air driving, such as added interior noise and turbulence, added heating and cooling system demand and even the fact that the seating surfaces can get hot in the sun or cool at night," said Poore. "Its inspired design anticipates the needs of the user and presents solutions, enhancing the comfort and enjoyment of the driver and passengers."

INFINITI ESSENCE CONCEPT DEBUTS AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW - REPRESENTS THE MAGNIFICATION OF "INSPIRED PERFORMANCE"

ROLLE, Switzerland (March 3, 2009) – The essence of the Infiniti brand distilled into one car and then taken to the extremes to satisfy the world’s most demanding car enthusiasts – this is the Infiniti Essence. Presented as a concept at the 79th International Motor Show of Geneva, Essence is a celebration of Infiniti and its 20 years history as a creator of performance cars. But equally it is an inspiring exploration into the brand’s future. The dramatic design, technology and performance statement is a 592-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive gasoline/electric hybrid coupe.

The Essence Concept showcases many of the technologies, including hybrid, and design cues that will distinguish Infiniti production cars of the coming years. And, by steering Infiniti’s guiding principle of “Inspired Performance” into the luxury super-coupe market for the first time, it reaffirms Infiniti’s place among the world’s most exclusive and vibrant car brands.