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At the moment you can get Infinitis only as V6 and V8 petrols, which is part of the reason they sell as fast as bikinis in the arctic. And the upcoming EV is hardly mainstream.
A showroom lifeline is on the way this spring in the form of a brand-new diesel V6 engine. It goes first into the EX and FX sporty crossovers and the brand-new M saloon (it's a BMW 5-Series rival). The diesel makes 238bhp.
Next up, hybrid. The M35 full hybrid (pictured) has a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and a disc-shaped motor between the engine and the auto 'box. It goes on sale in March 2011, which is six months after the M37 petrol and the M30d diesel.
There's more to come. Four-cylinder diesels and four-cylinder hybrids will be fitted to the G saloon and coupe in the next couple of years.
Interesting that diesels are so important to Infiniti, while Lexus is running away from diesel as fast as it can. The next-generation Lexus IS won't come with a diesel option, unlike the current one. Lexus is convinced hybrid is the way to go, as shown by its hybrid-only RX, as well as its upcoming Audi A3-rivalling CT200h which will also be a hybrid only.
We can't help thinking Infiniti's more pragmatic approach will put fewer people off. Or do you reckon Lexus will eventually drag all economy-minded buyers around to the idea of giving up diesels in favour of hybrids? Comments below, please.
Paul Horrell, Consultant Editor of Top Gear magazine
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
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scottneal commented on this article
at 03:57 pm on 24 March 2010
This is just to sell cars. If they wanted to be more popular then they should make a supercar. Works every time.
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Twister commented on this article
at 04:48 pm on 24 March 2010
It will appeal to more people but won't help their publicity
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Cagle91 commented on this article
at 01:30 am on 25 March 2010
Infiniti is a great car company, but they should have come out with a hybrid or Diesel sooner. They've got a lot of ground to cover, but I think they can do it.
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Sambawacki commented on this article
at 08:57 am on 25 March 2010
They shoulda made hybrids at the start, then their whole fleet could have been good and healthy to the green party and they would be rich! Then they can make a hybrid supercar, just for the hell of it.
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Hornet-power commented on this article
at 08:43 pm on 03 July 2010
I don't like hybrids: I don't like tthe styling, I don't like the image they give, and I don't like the cost. In my opinion (I will point out that I have never driven a diesel or a hybrid) the diesel would be the better choice.
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