Is Infiniti getting Ready to Drag Race the M Hybrid Against the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid?

Is Infiniti getting Ready to Drag Race the M Hybrid Against the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid? - Just moments ago, Infiniti dropped an email into our inbox pointing us to a video on YouTube titled "What is the fastest accelerating full hybrid?" The short clip shows a driver dressed like The Stig entering a Porsche Panamera S Hybrid and getting ready to race the sports saloon in the desert.

Infiniti's email also notes, "Check out this teaser video and let us know where you think it’s going…. Don’t miss the results, coming January 23rd, 2012".

Since we find it hard to believe that the Japanese automaker would create a promotional campaign for Porsche and its new Panamera Hybrid we think it's all about showing the potential of the also new M Hybrid (called M35h in certain markets).

And more importantly, let's not forget that last September, the M Hybrid made it into the Guinness book of world records as the "Fastest Accelerating Full Hybrid" after it completed the quarter mile run in 13.9031 seconds with a passing speed of over 160 km/h (100 mph).

The question is, will Infiniti engage in all out bragging war showing the M Hybrid and Porsche Panamera Hybrid racing side-by-side or will it wimp out and be content with simply stating the numbers? Guess we'll have to wait until Monday to find out.

For the record, the U.S. specification Infiniti M Hybrid links a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with 302HP to a 50kW (67HP) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack, which offers a combined output of 360 horsepower. Both the gasoline V6 and electric motor deliver their power to the rear wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Infiniti says that the M Hybrid completes the 0-60mph sprint in "less than six seconds". In Europe, the Japanese company has released a 0-62mph (100km/h) time of 5.5 seconds. Fuel economy figures are estimated at 32 mpg highway, 27 mpg city and 29 mpg combined.

On the other side of the ring, we have the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid featuring a 333HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6 linked to a 47HP (34 kW) electric motor for a combined system output of 380HP.

According to Porsche, the Panamera S Hybrid goes from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in 5.7 seconds en route to a top speed of 167mph (269km/h), while delivering EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 30mpg highway.

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Published by: carscoop

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Ford Introduces C-MAX Hybrids, Claims They Outperform Toyota's Prius and Prius V - Cars photos

Along with the Focus Electric, the Blue Oval also announced two more new models today, the C-MAX Hybrid and the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, which Ford claims will allow operation in all-electric mode at higher speeds than any other hybrid currently in production. Ford is willing to compare its new cars, which will be launched in North America in 2012, with the competition and in particular, Toyota’s Prius models.
According to the company, the plug-in C-MAX Energi will deliver a better fuel economy equivalent (MPGe) in all-electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid along with a 500 miles (800 km) driving range, while the Hybrid is said to be more fuel efficient than the Prius V.
“C-MAX is the right car for the time as it combines the dynamics and quality of a traditional car with the versatility of a MAV and leading fuel efficiency that you cannot even get from Toyota”, said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford’s Electrification Programs and Engineering.
Both hybrid versions of the C-MAX feature a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter gasoline engine that operates on the Atkinson-cycle, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack.
Ford says that its next-generation ‘powersplit’ architecture allows the two motors to operate separately or in parallel, with the electric motor being capable of powering the car in low-speed conditions and the gasoline engine kicking in and/or charging the battery when necessary.
In the C-MAX Hybrid, the battery pack is recharged when the gasoline engine is in operation. A regenerative braking system also recovers more than 95% of the braking energy and helps charge the battery.
The C-MAX Energi plug-in can also be charged by connecting the vehicle’s charge port to either a standard 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt charging station.

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Honda to Introduce New Hybrid Variant of Accord Sedan Next Year - Cars Pictures

JDM Honda Accord pictured above

 

There's plenty of news coming out from the sidelines of the Tokyo Motor Show and a lot of them concern Honda's future plans. Along with the Acura-badged NSX hybrid concept that's heading to Detroit, we also learned that Honda is preparing a raft of hybrid powertrains for its mainstream models.
Speaking to Bloomberg News, Honda Motor President Takanobu Ito said that the company's plans include the introduction of a hybrid version of its Accord sedan next year. Ito didn’t elaborate on which markets would get the Accord hybrid nor did he reveal any information on the engine set up.
Aside from Ito's remarks, the company released initial details on its powertrain plans that include the presentation of a 2.0-liter hybrid powerplant and a brand new two-motor hybrid system.
"Mid-sized vehicles equipped with this system [the twin motor hybrid] are scheduled to begin production, starting with the plug-in hybrid model in 2012 and the hybrid model in 2013," Honda stated in a press release. The company added that the plug-in models would employ the use of a "special lithium-ion battery and charger".
Honda said that after the recent introduction of the new Freed series, its hybrid lineup in Japan now consists of six models, adding that percentage of hybrid vehicles among new vehicle registrations in Japan in the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2012 is expected to be approximately 50 percent.

Toyota Aqua Hybrid Spiffily Modded by Kana Auto Works - Cars Photos

Toyota Aqua Hybrid Spiffily Modded by Kana Auto Works

While in the business of producing and developing cars for Toyota for more than half a century, Kana Auto Works has generally stayed under the radar.
However, at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese company came out of its shell introducing several bespoke models.
Aside from the Toyota Century-based FS Hybrid concept that we showed you earlier today, Kana Auto Works also displayed two prototypes of the newly presented Toyota Aqua hybrid, which will be marketed under the Prius C brand name outside of Japan.
The first Aqua Fun concept is finished in an orange hue and sports a subtle aero package and new alloy wheels.
The other Aqua Fun study is more extreme boasting a bright yellow finish and several cosmetic changes including new front and rear bumpers, different headlamps and tail lights, larger spoilers and bigger wheels while also riding on a lowered sports suspension.

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