Hybrids, Luxury Cars Top Cars.com Search for April

Fuel-efficient cars and some luxury models topped our 15 biggest gainers in Cars.com search traffic for April. After analyzing the last 30 days of search data, the recently launched Infiniti M35h, Fiat 500, Ford Focus and the Lexus CT 200h saw significant gains on our site.

Increased search demand for more fuel-efficient options lead to a surge in compact and hybrid car traffic on Cars.com when gas surpassed the $4 a gallon mark for the first time in 2008. As we near $4 a gallon once again, it looks like the same trend is shaping up this time around; the only difference is this time more automakers are prepared with fuel-efficient options, including luxury players.

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid Rated at 32 MPG Highway

Infiniti announced official EPA fuel-efficiency ratings today for its first hybrid model, the 2012 M35h. The hybrid sedan has a 27/32 mpg city/highway rating, with a combined composite rating of 29 mpg.

That’s better than the 25/30 mpg rating Infiniti estimated earlier this fall, and it’s more fuel efficient than BMW ActiveHybrid models, the Mercedes S400 Hybrid and the BMW 335d diesel.

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is more fuel efficient, at 41/36 mpg, but that model features a less powerful four-cylinder compared with the Infiniti’s V-6 power. It is also a smaller sedan.

Speaking of the powertrain, this is the first hybrid system for this Japanese luxury carmaker. Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid system is powered by a 302-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 plus a 50-kilowatt electric motor for 360 net hp, which should be pretty punchy.

The best comparison is this will be a more fuel-efficient player to the sporty-minded Lexus GS 450h, which only nets a 23 mpg combined EPA rating and has been a poor seller since being introduced. In fact, not many luxury hybrids have sold well.

The M35h is scheduled for a spring rollout. Do you think it will fare better than past competitors?

2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid Sedan: First Look

• Competes with: Lexus GS 450h, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
• Looks like: An Infiniti M sedan with a couple of extra gauges
• Drivetrain: 302-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 plus 50-kW electric motor for 360 net horsepower; 376-volt lithium-ion battery; seven-speed automatic transmission, rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2011

Due at dealerships in spring 2011, the 2012 M35h is Infiniti's first hybrid and parent company Nissan's first homegrown hybrid technology after many years of selling a Toyota-derived system in the Nissan Altima Hybrid, which is available in limited markets. According to Infiniti, the as-yet-unpriced sedan will achieve 25/30 mpg city/highway, though official EPA ratings aren't available yet.

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Using a single electric motor and two clutches, the Direct Response Hybrid system's mileage characteristics are closer to those of Honda and Hyundai. Their hybrids' higher mileage comes in highway driving. Competitor Lexus' hybrids get better city mileage. Infiniti points out that the combination of 360 net horsepower and 30 mpg is unmatched in the market.

What Does This Button Do?

This one is almost too easy. It’s a picture of pine trees and sits right in the middle of other climate controls in the redesigned 2011 Infiniti M37. That means it clearly kicks on the automated air freshener that the Infiniti engineers ingeniously invented. It maintains the perfect level of pine tree aroma in the cabin. It even senses when the winter holidays are approaching and dials the fragrance up to 11.

OK, that’s not what this button does. What do you think the pine trees bring about inside the cabin?

Infiniti Lowers FX Price, Raises M a Tad for 2011

Infiniti announced pricing for its 2011 Infiniti FX35 and FX50 SUV and interim price bumps on the redesigned 2011 Infiniti M37 and M56 sedan, which went on sale last March. While the modest increase on the M likely won't make much of an impact on its sales, we wonder if a lower price on the controversially styled FX will help remind people that it's still a terrific SUV to drive.

The Infiniti FX35 gets a price cut of $1,250, and the FX50 gets a $2,600 reduction from the 2010 model year. In addition to the lowered pricing, the power liftgate will now be standard on all models starting later in the model year.

The 2011 Infiniti M sedan sees an interim price jump of $250 for the M37 and $350 for the M56 effective immediately, according to the automaker. Besides that, nothing has changed on the model.

For detailed pricing, continue reading after the jump.

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid: First Look

Infiniti has confirmed – and provided a few photos (above and below) — that it will debut the company’s first hybrid model at this fall’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

Unfortunately, we don’t have much information on the new M35's hybrid powertrain, but Infiniti does say the hybrid “promises V-8 performance with four-cylinder fuel economy — without compromising driving excitement or trunk space.”

Just looking at the images, there don’t appear to be any cosmetic changes for improved aerodynamics such as different wheels or a redesigned front bumper and grille.

The 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid goes on sale this spring. For now, check out the pictures below and click on them for larger versions.

2011 Infiniti M37 Video

Late last year, Infiniti quietly unveiled its redesigned M Series, which features a new V-6 and exterior and interior updates. While the ash wood trim with silver powder finish, optional leather-sewed dash and suede-like headliner are valued additions, is there enough opulence here for Infiniti to keep up with the BMWs and Mercedes of the world? Watch the video to see what Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder thinks of the 2011 M37 and how it stacks up in the midsize luxury sedan segment.

2011|Infiniti|M37

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2011 Infiniti Lineup

Infiniti is making slight changes to its entire 2011 model year lineup, in addition to redesigned models like the M sedan and QX56 SUV. 

The G series will receive two new “product extensions” to be announced Aug. 13-14, the company says. These could be new body styles or performance variants. We’ll keep you posted when we get more information on that later this summer.

Read below for more information regarding the 2011 updates to the rest of the Infiniti range:

Infiniti Offers 0% Financing Deals Through June

Infiniti is offering financing deals through the end of June on both 2010 and 2011 models.

The 2010 G37 sedan, G37 coupe, G37 convertible and EX35 all have zero-percent financing deals for 36 months, while the FX35, FX50 and QX56 all have 0.9% financing offers for 60 months.

As far as 2011 models, the redesigned M37 and M56 both have 2.9% APR financing for up to 60 months.

If you’re an Infiniti owner already, check with your local dealer for Owner Loyalty Cash offers. Infiniti has these financing deals set to run through June 30.

2011 Infiniti M Pricing Released

If you’re waiting for March 18 to get here so you can get your hands on a new Infiniti M sedan, we have one of the most vital specs you’ll need: the price. Sure, we learned all about the upgraded engines, interior and exterior designs late last year, but until you can attach a cash equivalent to those features, it’s hard to judge the cars for consumers.
 
The M37 with rear-wheel drive will start at $46,250, and the M37x all-wheel drive will start at $48,400; neither includes the destination charge of $865. Move up to the V-8 powered M56 rear-wheel drive, and the price moves up to $57,550, and the M56x all-wheel drive starts at $60,050.
 
Despite the significant redesign and new, more powerful engines we detail here, the M37 only gets a $450 price bump from the outgoing model. The M56 is $5,400 more but now includes a $3,350 Premium Package as standard equipment on top of the improved power and mileage. That means navigation, premium sound system, heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard on those models.