Infiniti M Hybrid to Start at $53,700
The Infiniti M Hybrid hits the market next month, and the automaker has released pricing information. The M hybrid starts at $53,700, and Infiniti adds that, “The 2012 Infiniti M performance luxury sedan is also offered in four non-hybrid models, which go on sale March 2, 2011. The non-hybrid Infiniti M has a starting M.S.R.P. of $47,700 USD for the Infiniti M37 RWD. The other models are the Infiniti M37 AWD ($49,850 USD), Infiniti M56 RWD ($59,100 USD) and Infiniti M56 AWD ($61,600 USD).&rdquo.
The M Hybrid will have a lot of upscale tech features luxury shoppers look for: leather seats, push button ignition, Bluetooth and Satellite Radio. In addition to these features, the M hybrid will have a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a 50 kilowatt electric motor. This hybrid powertrain produces 360 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
The automotive press, however, isn’t sure the M Hybrid will succeed, especially with a base price above $50,000 and so-so fuel economy ratings for a hybrid. “The 30-plus mpg figure is, of course, on the highway, with an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 32 mpg,” says Autoblog. “The M Hybrid is rated at 27 mpg in the city and has a combined rating of 29 – not too shabby for a car with 360-horsepower on tap, courtesy of the 3.5-liter V6 mounted under the hood. $53,700 is a lot of scratch, but there’s not a lot of luxury sedans on the market that offer that much power while retuning that type of fuel economy.”
Kicking Tires thinks the Lincoln MKS Hybrid is a better deal. “The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is more fuel efficient at 41/36 mpg and more affordable — $34,605 — compared to the Infiniti, but that model features less power compared to the Infiniti’s V-6 power. It is also a smaller sedan. The closest competitor to the Infiniti M35h is the Lexus GS 450h, which has a starting price of $58,050 and gets worse gas mileage. The gasoline-only 2011 M37 with rear-wheel drive starts at $47,050 before a destination charge.”
If a combination of performance and fuel efficiency is important to you, the M hybrid may suit your needs. The model will be available at dealerships on March 16.
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