Infiniti Boasts World's Fastest Hybrid

Do hybrid buyers have a need for speed? It seems counterintuitive, but Infiniti thinks so. The automaker recently crowned its M hybrid sedan the world's fastest hybrid. Nissan's luxury arm pitted its M35h against the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid in a drag race.

During a 90-second video called "The Duel," the M leaves the Panamera in a cloud of dust and beats it to the finish line. Infiniti lists an 11.5-second zero-to-100-mph acceleration time and a quarter-mile time of 13.4 seconds for its hybrid. The automaker says a third-party testing company confirmed the results, which have also been certified by Guinness World Records.

Infiniti didn't say how much gas was wasted in racing these two hybrids, however.

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Infiniti

Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Infiniti QX56

Large SUVs might not make the most ideal family vehicles, but the 2012 Infiniti QX56 is an exception, according to Cars.com Senior Family Editor Kristin Varela. The mammoth QX56 manages to be both a nimble handler in parking lots, thanks to its cadre of cameras and sensors, and a comfortable commuter for the driver and kids in tow with its wide range of available luxury features.

2012 Infiniti QX56 Review

Nissan Develops Self-Healing iPhone Case

You pay a lot of money for your iPhone, but normal wear and tear makes its case look old within weeks. What if those scuffs and scratches disappeared after an hour or so? 

In 2005, Nissan developed Scratch Shield self-healing paint, making shallow vehicle scratches disappear. Today, the paint is used on the Murano and 370Z and across Infiniti's lineup. The Japanese automaker recently announced the technology's first non-automotive application: the iPhone case.

The Scratch Shield iPhone uses the same gel-like, durable paint finish found on Nissan and Infiniti products, as well as rigid, high-strength plastic. As with vehicle scratches, a shallow scratch on the iPhone case will take around an hour to heal on its own; deeper scratches could take around a week to repair themselves.

The case is being developed in conjunction with the University of Tokyo and Advanced Softmaterials Inc. and is compatible with iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S models. Prototypes are being tested with a small group of customers and journalists. If the tests are successful and demand proves high, Nissan could sell the cases to the public later this year. 

2013 Lexus LX Chases Infiniti QX For Luxury-Loving Families

Infiniti has nearly perfected the highly scientific and closely guarded formula required to produce a luxurious family hauler with inspiring performance. The automaker has set the bar high with the QX56 in that regard, with the exception of its design, which is a bit ... unique. Its works, though. In 2011, the QX56 outsold its main rival, the Lexus LX 570, 13,428 units to 3,167.

Now Lexus is trying to catch up with a refreshed 2013 LX 570.

More 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

While I haven't had the opportunity to drive the new LX 570 with my family in tow, initial reports look promising. With many features similar to my favorites in the QX, such as a wide-view front and side camera feature allowing you to see what's in front of your bumper while moving at up to 7.5 mph, the 2013 LX 570 could be a contender, or maybe even a leader, in the uber-lux large SUV segment.

Year-End Deal Reality Check: Infiniti

Just because the Christmas shopping season is over, doesn't mean the deals are. The end of the year can be a great time to buy a new car. Infiniti's Limited Engagement sale is back this year, enticing new-car shoppers with low financing on new 2011 and 2012 vehicles.

Well-qualified buyers can purchase select 2012 Infiniti cars and SUVs and take advantage of 1.9% or 2.9% financing. The former is offered for between 36 and 60 months, and latter is offered for 72 months. Vehicles that qualify for the deal include 2012 versions of the Infiniti G25 sedan, G37 sedan, M sedan (including the M37, M Hybrid and M56), FX and QX56. The offer excludes the 2012 Infiniti G IPL.

In an effort to clear 2011 vehicles off the lots, Infiniti dealers are also offering the financing special on 2011 G37 coupes and convertibles and the EX35 SUV. For example, you can buy a 2011 G37 coupe starting at $37,150 (excluding destination charges) and get 1.9% financing for 60 months. These offers end Jan. 3.

Recall Alert: 14,718 2011-12 Nissan and Infiniti Vehicles

Nissan is recalling 14,718 model-year 2011 and 2012 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles due to faulty engine bolts, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced. The recall affects the 2011 Infiniti FX, 2012 Infiniti M, 2011-12 Nissan Frontier, 2011-12 Nissan Xterra, 2011-12 Nissan Pathfinder and 2012 Nissan NV.

The affected bolts connecting the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine and may have been manufactured below specification strength. Weak bolts could break and lead to an engine oil leak. If there is a leak, the engine oil warning lamp will illuminate, and the engine may become noisy. If the driver ignores the condition, the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan will begin notifying owners on Jan. 19. Nissan and Infiniti dealers will inspect and replace relevant parts free of charge. For more info, owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Infiniti Targets Family, Entry Segments

Infiniti, Nissan's luxury division, sees an opportunity for growth in two segments — one addressed by the three-row JX crossover, the other by a future model that slots below the brand's popular G25/G37.

Ben Poore, vice president of Infiniti's U.S. business unit, sat down with us at the recent L.A. Auto Show to talk about the brand's potential. With inventories outpacing the industry average — unusual for a luxury brand — sales improved 3 percent in November, but they remain down nearly 4 percent this year. Poore notes the year-over-year results compare to a huge sales year (2010) for Infiniti, but says better inventory should help the road ahead.

He has high hopes for the JX crossover, a car he says targets "a very different market" from the QX SUV despite both having three rows of seats. While the $58,700 QX56 boasts V-8 towing capacity and a flashier clientele, Poore says the $40,450 JX35 hits the jackpot segment of luxury crossovers: the "luxury family."

2013 Infiniti JX35 Priced at $40,450

Infiniti has released the 2013 JX35’s full slate of standard features and options, reinforcing our initial opinion that this three-row crossover, which debuted at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show, is a good deal in this segment.

To recap, the seven-passenger 2013 Infiniti JX35 will start at $40,450, excluding a $950 destination charge. The large crossover is powered by a 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard; intelligent all-wheel drive is an affordable $1,100 option. Both front- and all-wheel-drive versions get an estimated 17/23 mpg city/highway, and premium gas is recommended.

Infiniti Teases Plug-in Hybrid

Infiniti announced nearly a year ago that it was working on an electric car — something that would fit five passengers and probably be based off the trailblazing Nissan Leaf. On top of the Infiniti EV, it now looks like the company is at least dabbling with the idea of bringing a plug-in hybrid to the market as well.

The images above and below are for a “range-extending electric sports car” concept, Infiniti says. The concept will be unveiled at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show in March.

We don’t have much to go on, but in its press release, Infiniti made a clear distinction between its pure all-electric sedan, which is on its way, and this range-extending model. Think of this as a competitor to the Chevrolet Volt — which, by definition, is an electric car with a range-extending generator — or better yet, a competitor to the upcoming Cadillac ELR, which is based off the Volt.

We’ll have more info next spring.

Is The Infiniti JX What Families Need It To Be?

Infiniti says it had families in mind when designing its brand-new seven-seat crossover, the 2013 JX. Boasting "innovation that makes life more efficient" seems like a surefire way to grab a parent's attention. With a third row, low step-in height and a new safety feature, the Backup Collision Intervention system (yep, just like it sounds: The car will actually put on the brakes to prevent a collision if you don't notice a car or object crossing behind you), the JX seemed to be off to a good start.

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

However, after getting up close and personal with the JX, I'm not convinced that it's as perfect a fit for families as Infiniti promises it to be. It's true that there is access to the third row even when a child-safety seat is installed in the second row, which isn't a given in this class. But the actual operation of this feature was a little unclear.