Mitsubishi to Sell Rebadged Infiniti M as its New Flagship Sedan in Japan

Mitsubishi may have a wide range of vehicles, but it lacks a flagship model since it stopped production of the Diamante back in 2005. However, that will change soon.

Today, the troubled automaker announced that, as a part of cooperation agreement signed with the Nissan Group in December 2010, it begin selling a rebadged Fuga, which in the rest of the world is known as the Infiniti M, from next summer.

Even though Mitsubishi had already begun development of a successor to the Diamante, the model’s low sales, which dipped below 10,000 units in its last year of production, along with the company’s economic problems, killed off the project.

According to Mitsubishi, the rebadged luxury sedan will be sold only in Japan and there are no plans to export the car in overseas markets. The Japanese automaker has yet to reveal the flagship sedan's name.

The cooperation between the two companies extends beyond the M sedan, as Mitsubishi has already agreed to sell Nissan’s NV200 van while providing Nissan with the electric Minicab i-MiEV commercial van.

The two Japanese makers have also formed a joint venture for the common development of mini cars for their home market.

Story source: Autonews

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Guinness New World Record for Fastest Accelerating Full Hybrid By Infiniti M35h, Lamborghini Countach Owners Beware

On August 23, the new Infiniti M35h sped into the Guinness Book of Records as the world's fastest accelerating full hybrid model.

The record-breaking feat took place at UK’s Santa Pod drag strip, with the 364HP luxury sedan, driven by CAR magazine journalist Tim Pollard, setting an average 0-400 m (quarter-mile) time of 13.9031 seconds and a passing speed of over 160 km/h (100 mph).

“The Infiniti M35h proves that hybrids can be fast as well as frugal,” said Pollard. “At Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from the standstill – the car just leapt of the line. I tried changing gears manually, but it was fastest in automatic.”

Infiniti claims that its new hybrid sedan, which just went on sale in Europe, can challenge not only supercars of the past like the Lamborghini Countach, but even contemporary sports cars like Porsches, Ferraris and Aston Martins.

The M35h was a standard production model combining a 305HP 3.5-liter gasoline V6 to a 50kW (68HP) electric motor. Despite its 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time of 5.5 seconds the M35h has an average fuel consumption of 7.0 lt/100 km (33.6 US mpg) and emits 162 g/km of CO2.

Quarter Mile Times from Zerotosixtytimes:

· 1982 Lamborghini Countach S: 13.9 seconds
· 1998 BMW M3: 13.8 seconds
· 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante: 13.6 seconds
· 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera: 13.6 seconds
· 1966 Shelby Cobra: 13.5 seconds
· 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO: 13.5 seconds

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Live Photos and Video of the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Edition

Infiniti FX Vettel

Infiniti is relying on its partnership with Red Bull Racing and the blessings of reigning Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel to promote a sportier image for the brand

At this week's 64 International Auto Show in Frankfurt, the Japanese automaker put the spotlight on a one-off Infiniti FX50 designed in conjunction with Vettel. The special crossover features a host of aerodynamic, styling and mechanical improvements, all designed with Vettel's input.

Hardware upgrades include a more potent version of the FX50's 5.0-litre V8 delivering 420-horsepower thanks to a new exhaust system and a software reprogramming, along with a longer drive ratio for the transmission, and a 20mm lowered suspension.

The Vettel Edition rides on lightweight 21-inch black multispoke alloys with silver rims, which along with the new carbon fiber parts on the outside such as the front splitter, rear diffuser, side sills, front grille and mirror covers, help shed 46kg (101 pounds) off the standard FX50S Premium dropping the total weight to 2,049kg (4,517 lbs).

The aero kit also does its part to improve the coefficient of lift (Cl) by 30 per cent improvement and reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd) by 5 per cent.

Infiniti claims that that the FX50 Vettel version needs 5.6 seconds for the zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint, or two tenths of a second faster than the standard car, and can reach a top speed of 300km/h (187mph).

The tune is complimented by bespoke fittings in the interior including real carbon fiber trims, the use of Alcantara on the steering wheel and gearshift paddles and new sport seats.

Even though Infiniti is keeping its cards close to its chest, word has it that the Japanese company is mulling the introduction a limited series based on the one-off show car bearing the name of the F1 champ.

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